If there was one positive to the Los Angeles Lakers season, it was Jordan Clarkson. The 46th pick out of Missouri, Clarkson took over the starting point guard duties mid-season and flourished, being named Rookie of the Month in March.
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Clarkson was rewarded for his outstanding play, being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team according to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:
Jordan Clarkson named to all rookie 1st team by NBA
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) May 18, 2015
Clarkson joined Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls, Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Eflrid Payton of the Orlando Magic on the team. Clarkson received 74 first-team votes and the least of anyone to make the first team, but far ahead of Marcus Smart who was next in line with 28 votes.
Though he spent the majority of the first-half of the season as a rarely used reserve, Clarkson stepped up when his number was called. He averaged 15.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in 38 games as a starter. He really stepped up in March, dropping a career-high 30 points against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and scoring the game-winning points in victories over the Timberwolves and the 76ers.
After such a strong rookie season, Clarkson deserved the recognition of making the first-team. He looks to be a cornerstone of the Lakers’ future and someone for fans to get excited about what he can bring in the coming years.
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