The Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson, who scored a game-high 26 points, goes up for a shot. matt slocum – the associated press
The NBA has strongly noticed how quickly Lakers rookie guard Jordan Clarkson has grown.
Clarkson was named the NBA’s Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games in March, an honor that makes him the first ever Lakers player to be honored with the award since it was first presented in 1981-82.
“I think it’s great,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “It shows the progress he has made and what a hard work he’s put into it.”
Clarkson averaged a team-leading 15.8 points on 45.2 percent shooting, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds through 16 games in March. Clarkson, whom the Lakers secured through the 46th pick, also secured wins last week in Minnesota (free throws) and Philadelphia (layup). Against the Sixers, Clarkson joined Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Washington’s John Wall and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook as the only players in the NBA this season to post 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals in a game. In last week’s loss in Oklahoma City, Clarkson also posted career-highs in points (30) and blocks (three), making him the first Lakers rookie to score 30 points in a game since Eddie Jones achieved the same accomplishment on Feb. 4, 1995.
Overall, Clarkson ranks third among rookies in points per game (10.9), field goal percentage (44.7) and free throw percentage (82.8)
“The game is slowing down for him,” Scott said of Clarkson. “He sees it a little bit clearer now. It’s not such a blur to him. We still have to work on his change of speeds and change of pace at times. But for the most part, we’re seeing plays now that are starting to happen. Earlier in the season, it would happen. But it was over with before we saw what was really going on. Now he has a pretty good grasp of what’s going on. He’s seeing the man when he’s open and he’s delivering the ball at the right time in the right place.”
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