Jordan Clarkson has been one of the only bright spots for the Los Angeles Lakers this season since being inserted into the starting lineup. The rookie has put up solid numbers against some of the best point guards the NBA has to offer.
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Last week he had the best game of his career when he scored a career high 25 points to go along with four rebounds and six assists in a close loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Afterwards, Grizzlies star Zach Randolph praised Clarkson via Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops:
“That young fellow, he’s going to be good,” he said. “I didn’t even know who he was. I’d never heard of him until tonight. He’s a second-round pick? Who’s evaluating this talent?”
Clarkson has definitely proven himself to be a steal at the 46th pick of the draft. The Grizzlies even had to turn to Tony Allen, one of the league’s premier defenders, to lock down Clarkson down the stretch of the game.
With the Lakers having very little young talent right now, Clarkson represents a beacon of hope for Lakers fans. His workouts with Steve Nash are already paying dividends and Kobe Bryant has said that he will work with Clarkson this summer as well.
Clarkson’s play will surely result in him making an all-rookie team this summer, something very few would have predicted at the beginning of the season. He got the attention of Randolph, and plenty of others will follow suit if he keeps playing the way he has been.
[divide]Rookie Jordan Clarkson After Lakers Loss To New York Knicks