NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Time For Los Angeles Lakers To Give Jordan Clarkson A Shot

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By @pjacobosports

Jordan Clarkson Los Angeles Lakers

Mark J. Rebllas- USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are destined to be a lottery team this season. So far they have managed to win 11 games; you have to give the Lakers, as they have played hard in the majority of the 34 games. But let’s not kid ourselves, they are in rebuilding mode.<

The Lakers have failed to find a point guard this year. Jeremy Lin has been inconsistent to say the least, as he lost his starting job to journeyman Ronnie Price. Price has been a pleasant surprise, but he’s not going to be part of the Lakers’ future.

Perhaps it’s time for Byron Scott to give Jordan Clarkson some playing time. He’s been a bit-part player for Los Angeles, as he’s played in only 16 games this season. However, he can add a different dynamic to the Lakers’ back court.

Clarkson brings speed and size to a position of need for the Lakers. The Western Conference is loaded with quick point guards who have feasted on the Lakers’ backcourt for years. Clarkson is 6-foot-5, and has the mobility to keep up with other speedy guards. He has a lot to improve on defensively, but he’s far from a finished product. He turned heads at the summer league by averaging 15.8 points per game and making 42 percent of his shots. More surprising is that he shot 42 percent from the three-point line. He was not known to be a great shooter while at Missouri, but has the ability to improve on his skills.

The second-round pick was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Saturday, where he exploded for 35 points and 11 assists. He was the catalyst who helped propel the D-Fenders to set a D-League record for most points in a half with 98. Granted it is the D-League, but Clarkson was in attack-mode the whole game.

In five games with the D-Fenders, he is putting up 22 points per game and dishing out eight assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. He is showing flashes of what he can bring to the team. The Lakers loved him enough to buy a draft pick from the Washington Wizards, so why not give him a shot?

The Lakers have a flurry of injuries this season. Steve Nash, Julius Randle and Xavier Henry are lost for the year. Wesley Johnson may be inactive for a few weeks, and a 36-year-old Kobe Bryant will be in and out of the lineup to rest. Clarkson is a combo guard who is versatile enough to play both guard positions. If Bryant sits, it will be a perfect time to let Clarkson play meaningful minutes.

The Lakers can potentially have themselves a steal in Clarkson, but it’s unclear if his game will translate in the NBA.  He can attack the basket, play defense, pass and score at-will. If given the time, the rookie could be a nice addition to a franchise that is looking for a quick rebuild. The Lakers are not projected to be in the playoff hunt, so they should take this time to see they have in Clarkson.

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

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