Jordan Clarkson intervew with ESPN on Nike camp and offseason workouts

[Slava]

Apparently he got his own Nike camp, which is interesting and kind of shows the importance of playing for the Lakers. One of the reasons Steph Curry left Nike for Under Armor was that he couldn't get his own camp and there's only a few Nike gives out every summer, so glad to see Clarkson get one.

Some interesting info on his offseason workouts.

Q: Following the coaching change, has anything changed with regard to your workout routine or your approach to next season?

JC: I'm taking it slow right now because I feel I've been going pretty hard early and I don't want to peak in the summertime. But this weekend my trainer, Drew Hanlen, gets back out here and will be here until training camp, so my workouts are about to start getting more intense. We're about to start doing more detailed stuff. Most of it is the same stuff -- finishing at the rim, finishing plays behind the 3-point line off the dribble and staying in the weight room.

Q: You've said you want to work on finishing at the rim, becoming a better defender and a better 3-point shooter. Is there anything else you're working on that people might not know about?

JC: Slowing down. Taking my time so I can create for my teammates. It's one of the hardest things to work on, but me and Drew are figuring it out right now. It's going to be an interesting summer in terms of my workouts. I'm just ready to get to all the detailed stuff that we're going to work on.

Q: How do you work on slowing down? What do you do?

JC: That's what we're figuring out right now. We're doing a lot of stuff in terms of watching film and talking to each other about it. He's had a lot of stuff to do pre-draft. But once we figure out what it is that we can do [to slow down], we're going to get it rolling and it's going to happen.

ESPN

[Laker_Kid]

cant understand why people would let this guy just walk. he's loyal, hardworking, talented, driven and young. he's a teamplayer, even willing to come off the bench. sure he could be costly, but he's earned it and is damn sure worth it.

im already excited to see his improvements next season.

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[WVlakerfan]

He seems to really enjoy giving back and embracing his fans. The allstar game is voted on by fans if he becomes a fan favorite in LA he could play in Allstar game at some point in his career.

[PKABOOICU]

He does have a high motor and is relatively young, but the reason his name can be bounced around in trade rumors is because he is the most easily replaceable player on the roster, and although he will be a decent player, his game won't improve that much to the extent that he will be untrade-able. But if he's willing to come off the bench for the Lakers, then thats a huge plus for the team and he should be locked up immediately.

[Mirjalovic]

He's not that "easily" replaceable.

Players like Clarkson won't grow on the trees easily. He has good size, good speed, long, can shoot, decent playmaker, hard worker, even know his own weaknesses and willing to improve.

And plus side, he is not careless with the ball, play under control unlike another rookie/sophomore/young guards.


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[WVlakerfan]

He does have a high motor and is relatively young, but the reason his name can be bounced around in trade rumors is because he is the most easily replaceable player on the roster, and although he will be a decent player, his game won't improve that much to the extent that he will be untrade-able. But if he's willing to come off the bench for the Lakers, then thats a huge plus for the team and he should be locked up immediately.

I don't think i could disagree with you more. Hoopshype has him listed as the 4th best SG free agent right behind Demar Beal and Wade. They have him listed above a lot of guys that i have heard people would rather have (Courtnee Lee). Also the only trade rumors that have been bounced around have been from sites with absolutely no credibility.

http://hoopshype.com/2016/05/03/nba-free-agency-2016-shooting-guards/

[PKABOOICU]

He does have a high motor and is relatively young, but the reason his name can be bounced around in trade rumors is because he is the most easily replaceable player on the roster, and although he will be a decent player, his game won't improve that much to the extent that he will be untrade-able. But if he's willing to come off the bench for the Lakers, then thats a huge plus for the team and he should be locked up immediately.

I don't think i could disagree with you more. Hoopshype has him listed as the 4th best SG free agent right behind Demar Beal and Wade. They have him listed above a lot of guys that i have heard people would rather have (Courtnee Lee). Also the only trade rumors that have been bounced around have been from sites with absolutely no credibility.

http://hoopshype.com/2016/05/03/nba-free-agency-2016-shooting-guards/

well your answer lies within itself. Evan Fournier is 5th, and he's not better than Clarkson. There is nobody in that list besides Manu Ginobili who is flat out better than Clarkson, and Ginobili is on the verge of retirement. But if you keep looking at that list, there are 3 players on just that list that are/were in the playoffs and put up good numbers; JR Smith, Leandro Barbosa, Jamal Crawford.
As a matter of fact Id actually rate Clarkson 3rd (over Beal) due to his injury concerns, but that still doesn't mean he's not easily replaceable. You can probably replace Clarkson with almost ANYBODY on that list outside of Dion Waiters (who also had a decent playoffs) and Gerald Henderson. There are just too many PG/SG combos out there to overpay Clarkson. Also Id like to add that Ive seen him in person and Ive seen him standing next to kobe, and let me tell you, the he's very small for a SG. Jordan Clarkson, AT BEST, is a poor mans Monta Ellis, and Monta Ellis, at best is a poor mans DWade, and DWade, at best, is a poor mans Kobe, and Kobe, at best, is a poor mans MJ.

[tugs]

You know there's this 6 foot, 6'1" guy that was so skinny, small, and was relatively small to play the SG position. You can say he's also driven, though he doesn't practice much like Clarkson. Also an arrogant SOB but dude can back it up. Clarkson's the silent type but gets the job done.

People didn't find his size as a disadvantage so I guess someone at 6'5" with speed should at least be given a chance to show his worth.

So yeah the argument that he's too small to play the position is just weak.

You already have a player that has the physical tools and the right mindset and you would rather trade him. Sometimes I think people just hate for whatever reason.

[Kilroy]

I think Clarkson's ideal role is as a Ginobili-type 6th man... Someone who's good enough to start but is essential to a team off the bench.
But I think he's about to get starter money, and there's no reason for him to take less on this team. So I think his time as a Laker may be over.
That doesn't mean I think we're better off without him... I think on some level, we'll regret losing him if he goes.
In fact I'm sure some of the same people calling for him to be booted, are going to be Bitching at Mitch and Jim about letting him 'leave for nuthin'...

[ALL HAIL]

The only real question for me: If Clarkson is resigned for an average of 15 million per year over the life of the deal, would he be easily tradeable?

If you decide the answer is yes, you sign him. If not, let him walk.

I happen to think he'd be difficult to trade later, so I'd let him go.

It is what it is.

[tlifeset]

Going into this free agency period there is a very important issue that every laker fan needs to understand. The salary cap FLOOR is going to be massive. I'd say were are anywhere from $30M-$35M from the floor. Which means we HAVE to spend money. Regardless of your opinion, Jordan Clarkson is staying on the team. They need to spend money and he solves that.

The same goes for anybody from Derozen to Horford to Batum... $$$ will be spent. Probably too much $$$, but we have to do it. We need to be okay with this.

I know I am. At this point it's about versatile players that can fit Luke's system -- nothing else really matters -- not even dollars.

[MakeItSplash]

Clarkson also has some international marketing appeal because of his Filipino heritage, and willingness to play for the Philippines national team. It's good to see Clarkson being able to reach out to kids overseas, as well as in Southern California.



http://www.ocregister.com/articles/clarkson-718602-lakers-game.html

Clarkson has also tried impacting the game in other ways.

During his Nike trip to the Philippines, Clarkson accommodated underprivileged children by playing host to a clinic and handing out basketball gear. The East West Bank sponsored 50 youths, some of whom attend the local Boys and Girls Club to attend Clarkson’s camp through Thursday. Clarkson also has teamed with family members and close friends as camp instructors.

“It gives the kids energy and hope that I’m here,” Clarkson said. “I want to give them the feeling that I have confidence in them.”

[Frank Dux]

I can't believe posters here are advocating that we should trade him for Arron Afflalo.

This kid is already better than Afflalo, and has a way better attitude. I can't wait to see what he can do under Luke.

[Speedlot]

Really hope we can keep him.

[warrenpeace]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnIszBIgZKQ&t=1224s

[ak7]

I can't believe posters here are advocating that we should trade him for Arron Afflalo.

This kid is already better than Afflalo, and has a way better attitude. I can't wait to see what he can do under Luke.

I can't believe people are willing to let go of the little talent that is currently on this roster.

It's like there is another Shaq and Kobe waiting in the shadows.

Newsflash folks, when you're a 17 win team and you're a hot, flaming dumpster fire of a team, you don't let go of the little talent that you have that holds value around the league.

[tugs]

But, but, my instincts tell me he'll be nothing more than a washed down version of a certain player I know. And I'm pretty certain.

That's how little his value is for me and I want to trade him for something/someone better, more valuable.

[dockingsched]

Going into this free agency period there is a very important issue that every laker fan needs to understand. The salary cap FLOOR is going to be massive. I'd say were are anywhere from $30M-$35M from the floor. Which means we HAVE to spend money. Regardless of your opinion, Jordan Clarkson is staying on the team. They need to spend money and he solves that.

The same goes for anybody from Derozen to Horford to Batum... $$$ will be spent. Probably too much $$$, but we have to do it. We need to be okay with this.

I know I am. At this point it's about versatile players that can fit Luke's system -- nothing else really matters -- not even dollars.

No one has to spend money to get to the salary floor, there's no punishment. You just pay the difference out to the current players on the team. Anyway, when people say they don't want to spend money it's usually cause of long term flexibility, so signing a bunch of long term deals just to hit the salary floor doesn't make any sense.

[Dr Aki]

cant understand why people would let this guy just walk. he's loyal, hardworking, talented, driven and young. he's a teamplayer, even willing to come off the bench. sure he could be costly, but he's earned it and is damn sure worth it.

im already excited to see his improvements next season.

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noone saying let him go for nothing

but the simple matter is, he isn't a max player

and if someone offers him CRAZY money, there are better things to do that tie up cap in an overpaid player for 5 years

if an offer were to come along where we get a piece that are staples of winning championships, you throw him like he's candy

[ak7]

cant understand why people would let this guy just walk. he's loyal, hardworking, talented, driven and young. he's a teamplayer, even willing to come off the bench. sure he could be costly, but he's earned it and is damn sure worth it.

im already excited to see his improvements next season.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

noone saying let him go for nothing

but the simple matter is, he isn't a max player

and if someone offers him CRAZY money, there are better things to do that tie up cap in an overpaid player for 5 years

if an offer were to come along where we get a piece that are staples of winning championships, you throw him like he's candy

The Lakers can offer him over $30 million more than any other team. What is crazy money?