In a season that has not gone according to plan for the Los Angeles Lakers, one major bright spot has been the improvement of second-year guard, Jordan Clarkson.
Many wondered whether Clarkson could improve on an impressive first season that saw him named to the All-Rookie First Team, but Clarkson has arguably been the team’s most consistent player this year.
Clarkson has already been tabbed to play in the Rising Stars Game along with D’Angelo Russell during All-Star Weekend, and he will also be taking part in the Taco Bell Skills Competition as well according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson will take part in the Skills Challenge during All-Star weekend–dribbling, shooting, passing, etc.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 5, 2016
Clarkson is currently third on the Lakers in scoring at 15.2 points per game and is also contributing 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting a very respectable 44.1 percent from the field.
The Skills Competition could be a great showcase for Clarkson and he may arguably be one of the favorites going in. Clarkson has the ballhandling skills and has improved his shooting which is one place that many have struggled in previous years. He is also one of the fastest players in the NBA, so that should bode well for Clarkson’s chances to come out victorious.
This is the first time that the Skills Competition will feature big men as well as guards. Portland’s CJ McCollum, Houston’s Patrick Beverley, and Boston’s Isaish Thomas are the other guards along with Clarkson while Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State’s Draymond Green, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis round out the field.