Another slow start to a season for the Los Angeles Lakers has their fans in a frenzy. First, they are calling for head coach Byron Scott’s firing and there’s also plenty of talk about tanking again.
If things continue at this pace, both scenarios are unfortunately going to be in play. As always, everyone has to pump the brakes and let the 82 games play out before starting the coaching searches, trade machines and scouting players out of the NCAA.
By no means were the Lakers considered contenders, or even in competition for a playoff spot. This was supposedly the year where the youth would come out blazing in the midst of Kobe Bryant’s career-close. Expectations are to see the team get up and down the floor with more life than the last two years.
The Lakers were able to bring in some notable guys in Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass. The acquisitions of those players ended the constant cycle of D-League flyers and unknown prospects.
The good news is that there have been some signs of things to come within the trio of Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson has arguably proven himself to be the Lakers’ best perimeter option, especially getting to the rim where he scored eight of his 15 total baskets in both games. Along with being their most aggressive player, he might just be the most viable prospect of their younger core.
Clarkson is averaging 18 points per game on 55 percent shooting to start the year. Of course this pace is likely to tail off as the year goes on, but the current efficiency is good to see.
Regardless of how much fans want to see D’Angelo Russell making the Lakers’ plays, it’s going to have to be Clarkson that keeps this offense going. If his play doesn’t make pundits believers, the endorsements given by Kobe Bryant should be more than enough:
Kobe impressed w/ Jordan Clarkson: "He’s been outstanding since training camp. Or really, since the end of last season.”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 29, 2015
The best thing that will come out of Clarkson’s play is his growing confidence and maturation. As long as he proves that he can play beyond expectation, it’s gradual steps toward the Lakers becoming a more competitive team. Clarkson may never reach the legendary status of Kobe Bryant, but what his abilities offer is a reliable offensive force for a starving Lakers team.