Russell + Clarkson = Disaster?

[scoobs07]

So in the interest of full disclosure, I admit that I'm a big Russell supporter and I'm not very high on JC. With that in mind, it's not looking good for these two being able to coexist. Clarkson and Russell were absolutely terrible when paired together this season. When those two were on the floor together, the Lakers were 19.1 points per 100 possessions worse than their opponent. That's spectacularly awful. They played together for over 700 minutes too, so it's not like there's not a significant sample size. But why were these two so bad together? Well, all you have to do is look at what they did to each other's individual numbers:

RUSSELL - STATISTICS

JC On

OFFRTG 102.6
DEFRTG 121.3
NETRTG -18.6
AST% 21.2
AST/TO 1.44
AST RATIO 18.3
EFG% 42.2
TS% 47.3
USG% 26.0

JC Off

OFFRTG 106.1
DEFRTG 108.1
NETRTG -2.1
AST% 30.8
AST/TO 1.90
AST RATIO 23.0
EFG% 52.1
TS% 54.7
USG% 27.2

CLARKSON - STATISTICS

D'Lo On

OFFRTG 102.6
DEFRTG 121.3
NETRTG -18.6
AST% 15.9
AST/TO 2.03
AST RATIO 18.6
EFG% 45.5
TS% 47.8
USG% 19.4

D'Lo Off

OFFRTG 103.6
DEFRTG 107.6
NETRTG -4.0
AST% 13.5
AST/TO 1.07
AST RATIO 12.3
EFG% 51.2
TS% 54.1
USG% 25.0

Both guys really hurt the other's numbers. In some ways, this reminds me of the Monta Ellis/ Steph Curry situation. In that scenario, you had two talented players whose styles just did not mesh. No, I'm not saying D'Lo is the next Steph, I'm just pointing out the similarity of the situation where you have two guys whose styles are an awful fit.

I was thought this same exact thing. I always thought that Russell needs a Klay Thompson next to him, but lately I'm thinking that Russell himself could be a Klay Thompson type for another point guard.

[chefy]

add in randle?

they all have pretty good potential imo but i really dont see them reaching their maximum potential playing together.

[danfantastk32]

What about Russell Westbrook and Clarkson? Is that any better?

Clarkson should be coming off the bench. He's a nice bench piece.
Russell needs to show me that he's a player worth building around. I hate to say it, but If I am able to get a guy like Klay, then I don't really care how Russell fits with him. I'm getting Klay, and Russell can sink or swim. At least from what I've seen so far.

I personally want to take that "?" out of the title. Russell and Clarkson do equal disaster...if that's really going to be our backcourt moving forward. I don't care how well either "fit"....they aren't good enough. Clarkson belongs on the bench, and Russell as of now is not a top-10 PG. May not be a top-15 yet....which makes him below average.

Before the Russell-Army comes swooping in....I KNOW he's young. Point is....that's not a good backcourt duo. Offensively, defensively, and overall talent-wise.

[Jody Smokz]

The main this that Clarkson isn't a very good player. Trying to compare that to Fultz is a bit weird to me. He's clearly a more talented and polished player even at his current age than Clarkson. If Dame and CJ can work together so can Fultz/DLo

[Princeinrevolt]

Westbrook and Clarkson would not work either. Clarkson is that bad. He is not a good spot up shooter. Not a good defender. Not someone who looks to pass. He is just not a good player for anyone around him. He is a bench player but he makes starter money. I hope we can look to get rid of him quickly.

[Frank Dux]

Clarkson is almost 25, and doesn't do much other than score inefficiently.

I think we should send him out with Houston's 1st, and one of Deng/Moz for cap relief. He's one of the most expendable pieces on the squad, and I think it would be wise to try to send him out in a way that benefits the Lakers cap situation.

Besides I think Nwaba will be our new 6th man. Nwaba actually seems he'll have an impact on games.