MANILA, Philippines – Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was impressed with the stellar play of their Fil-Am rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson that he plans to take him under his wings in the off-season.
The injured Lakers' superstar watched on the bench for the first time since his injury and saw up close the vastly improved Clarkson drop 15 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 93-100 loss to Dallas Mavericks last Sunday (Monday Manila time).
"He looks great. Playing with a lot of poise. Reading the defense well. For him it is just playing and getting better. Again, footwork. Recognizing defensive packages," Bryant told Lakersnation.com.
Without Bryant, the Lakers have plummeted to the depths of the Western Division and will be content contending for a lottery pick in the next Rookie Draft.
Clarkson has scored in double figures in nine of the Lakers' 10 games, including their last seven.
Prior to Bryant's rare on-court appearance in the Mavericks' loss, Clarkson scored a career-high 25 points laced up with four boards and six dimes in a competitive 90-97 loss to one of the West's top teams Memphis Grizzlies.
The lottery-bound Lakers and Bryant hope that the emergence of Clarkson will continue. The former Missouri guard along with injured rookie forward Julius Randle figure to be the Lakers' building blocks as they rebuild the once proud franchise.
The Lakers hope that Clarkson will absorb Bryant's teachings like a sponge as they prepare their future without their superstar guard who is on the tail-end of a storied career.