Jordan Clarkson Discussion: Sky's the limit!

Well I value long-term success over short-term success (next year) so I rather see him start and compete against the best opposing guards and build chemistry with Randle and Towns/Russell/Mudiay.

I don't understand why you're in a rush to get back into the Playoffs for a 1st round exit.

I like the OKC approach. In the 2008-09 season, they were 23-59 with Westbrook as a rookie and Durant in his 2nd year. They pick Harden with the 3rd pick and they go 50-32 in 2009-10 with no big FA signings. Fortunately we are in a similar position with a Top 5 pick likely coming our way. I say save our cap space for 2016 and develop our future assets.

 

We gots ta get Kobe another ring

I wasn't making fun of trd, getting Kobe another ring is most certainly on my mind.

 

"What is going on here?" We WON last night. This is bizarro Lakers season. Up is down. Have to suck to succeed.

 

Just out of curiosity, when you post on LB, do you have a CL tab open at the same time so you can use their smilies?

 

Why yes, usually at least the smilies box. All the better to match my mood. Such as thinking about our half a**ed tank effort that Byron seems to be putting forth.

 

Who knows if Randle will even start this year? He's only played one regular season game. Could he earn it later in the season? Sure.

The reason why you want to get to the playoffs is because it shows that your team is competitive, and can attract big name free agents to play alongside this young core we already started to build.

One we get into the New TV Deal Cap era, we're going to have a LOT of a money to spend EVEN IF we spend the money next off season. You want to build a competitive team WITH our young core, WITH an established player here.

Look what happened to OKC. They got all these young players, but what happens? They start to play well, but their demand goes through the roof and they can no longer afford to hang on to those players. It's a delicate balance that you need to have to stay competitive long term. Not a lot of teams win multiple championships and have the luxury of assets of first round picks to rebuild time and time again.

 

I mean, just take a look at 1996 for example.

What did we do?

Draft Kobe. He didn't start. He played behind a veteran like Eddie.

We signed Shaq. Yeah, it's Shaq, but we still got destroyed in the playoffs time and time again by teams like the Jazz. I remember those years vividly.

But over time, those "veteran" free agent players started to see the potential this team had, even though we kept getting bounced in the playoffs. The Horry's, the Grant's, the Shaw's, the Harper's, The Fox's. And bam, the team was set, and the chemistry was there.

 

Well, I think we upgrade the back court next season either through the draft or in FA, so I doubt he starts next year; I still think he gets a lot of time on the floor; Kobe will likely be 'resting' on all B2B's, his minutes will be down, and JC could step in and get some more time to develop on what will be a hopefully more competitive team.

 

For me, it doesn't really matter if Clarkson starts or comes off the bench. He earned his 20+ minutes next year.

But I do think we still need a more traditional PG in the sense of taking care of the ball and running the offense, rather than the combo/scoring guard that Clarkson is more in tuned to. He can learn a lot from that type of player.

 

Not that I disagree with you; but in the short time JC has been running the offense, he has been taking care of the ball (low TO's) and he's been getting better and better navigating the pick in roll. Question, though; what guards are you thinking of pursuing? We've been linked to Dragic; I'm opposed to Rondo, but he is available and wants to play here...so who do we go after?

 

I definitely saw a major improvement from Jordan in that area of the game, I didn't really think he had that in the beginning of the year, but I still feel he's more of a score first type guard, because he can.

Dragic and Rondo are the obvious ones we seemed to be interested in. If Kirk Hinrich forgoes his player option, he'd be another one. CJ Watson from Indiana. Mo Williams would work. Hell, I'd give Ronnie Price another shot for depth.

 

^^^ Zero, zip, zilch reflection of my thoughts toward Clarkson's potential. I just appreciate the pain over and the passion for the Lakers.

 

You have nothing to add to Clarkson thread? You better add something or Temecula.