MANILA, Philippines -- If given the green light to play for Gilas Pilipinas, Los Angeles Lakers' sophomore guard Jordan Clarkson should not have a problem with the dribble drive offense according to national team coach Tab Baldwin. But as far as their other system -- swing offense -- is concerned, Baldwin hopes that Clarkson could pick it up quickly.
"But the other offense we are running, there is a learning curve, but he's adaptable to any offense. It's just a matter of how quickly he picks it up and how cohesively he can be with our defensive schemes. All of that takes time. Our chemistry will depend on that," Baldwin said.
Even the returning Marc Pingris admitted that he has to quickly catch up with the rest of the national pool, who has been practicing for three weeks and have played one pocket tournament in Estonia. But one thing that Baldwin noticed about Clarkson while watching him play last season in the NBA is that the NBA All-Rookie First Team member is an intelligent player that could adapt quickly.
Clarkson's ability to shoot the ball and his experience playing against the world's best can come in handy for the national team who has been missing key players who played in the FIBA World Cup last year. Pingris is one with the rest of the team and the nation in hoping that Clarkson would be given clearance to play for the country.
"Malaking bagay 'yun eh. Alam ko madami siyang maitutulong. 'Yung experience niya sa States (US) maituturo niya dito. Saka malaki siya eh tapos shooter so ipagdasal natin na makapaglaro siya," Pingris said. "Alam ko naman na 'yung puso niya eh Pinoy eh."
Watch the full video interview of Baldwin and Pingris (produced and edited by Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV):