While the Los Angeles Lakers have had an awful season so far, the team’s future remains bright thanks to their promising young core of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and Larry Nance Jr.
Randle and Russell are widely viewed as having the most potential considering their skill-sets and age, but it has been Clarkson who has been arguably the most consistent player on the team this season.
Some have questioned whether Clarkson has the ceiling of his teammates, but Clarkson believes he can be an All-Star in the NBA one day according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
Clarkson: "I feel like I have the ability to be an All-Star caliber player one day."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) January 27, 2016
Clarkson’s belief in himself shouldn’t come as a surprise as any player should believe that they can be the best. Clarkson’s career has gotten off to a great start as he was a First Team All-Rookie selection last season, and will take part in the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge along with Russell.
He has already proven that he can grow as he came back this season as an improved shooter, and has improved his overall scoring as well as his defense. Getting to All-Star level would be difficult considering the high number of outstanding guards in the Western Conference, but Clarkson should have the mindset that he will make it there.
Whether or not he makes it, Clarkson will surely do everything in his power to get himself to that level. Between him, Randle, and Russell, it is very likely that the Lakers do have a future All-Star on their roster, it’s just a matter of who gets there first.