As Kobe Bryant continues to deal with an aging body, his absence could mean big things for rookie guard Jordan Clarkson. Currently averaging 11.9 minutes per game, Clarkson has seen his most minutes in recent games when Bryant is not in the lineup. It’s not rocket science that the fewer players you have to share minutes with at your position, the more minutes you’re likely to play. What is troubling and puzzling, however, is the other players Clarkson is losing minutes to.
At 6-foot-5, Clarkson has enough athletic ability to play two-guard in the NBA. He’s fast, can jump and is long. What Clarkson needs to work on, and likely why he has yet to earn a more consistent spot in the rotation, is decision-making. While there are elements of the game to be learned observing from the bench, this will not improve at maximum pace until Clarkson starts to see more minutes, be them in the D-League or in the NBA.
When Clarkson is in uniform for the Lakers, I believe he has earned more minutes than he is being given so far this season.
There are a few reasons for this. First, he possesses the most potential of any other guard on the team. He owes this to his youth, athleticism and burgeoning talent. While he may never become a true point guard, he has more than enough scoring ability to be a contributor on a good basketball team.
Clarkson has also earned more minutes because when he’s been on the court for the Lakers this season, he’s played pretty well. His per-game averages in and of themselves don’t reveal much, but looking at his PER of 14.2, that ties him with Jeremy Lin and puts him ahead of backcourt competition like Wayne Ellington and Ronnie Price. He hasn’t played poorly when he has played this season, and could contribute and improve with more time.
As the Lakers watch any chance of qualifying for the 2015 playoffs fade away, here is to hoping Clarkson finds himself on the court more often.
Ian McEwan is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanClarkMcEwan,“Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. He is not the British author.
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