Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Luke Walton Praises Jordan Clarkson’s Defense After First Preseason Game
Lakers News

Lakers News: Luke Walton Praises Jordan Clarkson’s Defense After First Preseason Game

Daniel Starkand
Published: 10/05/2016
2 Min Read
SHARE

Throughout his first training camp as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Luke Walton has put a lot of emphasis on the defensive end, an area where the Lakers struggled last season.

One player who admittedly struggled on the defensive end last season is guard Jordan Clarkson, who is entering his third season in the league.

Clarkson has set a goal of improving on the defensive end and that was apparent in the Lakers first preseason game Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings.

While Clarkson unexpectedly came off the bench, he did play 20 minutes in the game. According to Mark Medina of the Daily News, Walton would not commit to what role Clarkson will be in to start the season, but he did say that he wants Clarkson to continue to be aggressive on defense:

“I don’t see anything differently, honestly,” Walton said. “Jordan’s still going to play a lot of minutes. He’s been one of our best defensive players all camp. I’m going to continue to challenge him to take that on. Whether he’s playing with D’Angelo and the starters or playing with the second unit, we want him being aggressive. We want him hounding the ball. We want him getting out and running the lanes.”

Despite it being just the first game, Walton was impressed with Clarkson at the defensive end after the 103-84 win, via Lakers Nation reporter Ryan Ward:

Luke Walton on Jordan Clarkson: “I told him I think he can be a phenomenal defender in this league.” #Lakers

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) October 5, 2016

Clarkson had 12 points, six rebounds and a steal playing mostly with the second unit.

Los Angeles allowed just 84 points to the Kings, which is down considerably from the 106.9 points per game they gave up last season, which ranked 27th out of 30 teams.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Jordan ClarksonLos Angeles LakersLuke Walton
ByDaniel Starkand
Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as the managing editor for LakersNation.com, Daniel also serves as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
calendar_view_day
No Upcoming Events
Add to Calendar and you'll be the first to know when new events are announced.
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?