Topic: We wonder whether Los Angeles Lakers rookie Jordan Clarkson will be better off down the line as a point guard or a shooting guard?
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Context: Coming into the season, Lakers fans had very little to look forward to as far as young talent. Even if the team is bad, fans can still latch on to the future stars of the team. Everyone was looking forward to seeing the growth of first round pick Julius Randle. Unfortunately, the Lakers injury curse struck as Randle was lost for the season on opening night.
In Randle’s absence, however, another rookie has begun to shine since getting an opportunity at big minutes. That man is second-round pick Jordan Clarkson who has averaged around 13 points and three assists since being inserted into the starting lineup.
Clarkson has played both backcourt positions this season. His size, speed, and length allow him to guard both spots, and while he lacks the natural passing ability normally seen in point guards, he makes up for it with his excellent scoring ability.
As the Lakers start to build for the future, Clarkson looks like someone worth keeping around, but the question of where he best fits still looms. Should the Lakers have faith that Clarkson will develop more playmaking skills to be a point guard, or is he better off the ball alongside a more conventional pass-first point?
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the Lakers Nation faithful whether Jordan Clarkson is better suited as a point guard or a shooting guard. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH PG Jclarkson needs the ball in his hands to be more effective.he has the quickness just needsto work on control
— Lakers Line ™ (@Lakers_Line) February 7, 2015
Clarkson would be better suited to play point guard. His size & defensive prowess is needed against opposing PG's & he has talent. #LNDebate
— Velliaun (@HeFromLA) February 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation he's better suited as a SG.. quick first step, good scorer, not a natural passer, got tunnel vision. #LNDebate
— Lakers 13-38… (@Lakers_Hoops) February 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation The mistake would be to relegate him to just one position…that position changed long ago. He's a combo period
— C L Owens (@CSmoove9) February 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH PG. He actually reminds me of a young Jeff Teague. Little eratic at times but tons of potential & great length/ athleticism.
— (~Agent Ziko Pepic~) (@ZikoPepic33) February 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation SG, he doesn't have the court vision of a PG.
— Ed. (@edsmodernlife) February 7, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation off guard, he has all the tools needed to be a starter in this league. #LNDebate
— Richard Thorpe (@rjthorpe) February 7, 2015
The fans were extremely torn on this subject as there were numerous fans on both sides of the fence. While it is a difficult subject to figure out, I slightly lean towards the Lakers allowing Clarkson to be a point guard.
While he is definitely more of a natural scorer at this point in his career, the position has changed over the years. Clarkson’s size and speed is a definite plus at the point guard position, especially defensively. He is also excellent at getting into the paint, which will serve him well once he learns to set guys up more than shoot himself.
I don’t expect Clarkson to ever be among the league leaders in assists, but there are plenty of excellent guards such as Eric Bledsoe, Mike Conley, and Kyrie Irving who average six or less assists and Clarkson has the potential to get there. It’s worth it to see if he can get to that level.
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