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Lakers rumors: Five reasons to start Jordan Clarkson at point guard

By Keith Rivas

Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) reacts against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center.Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) reacts against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center.Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) instructs guard Tyler Ennis (11) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) instructs guard Tyler Ennis (11) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

They need to win now, not later

Giving Magic Johnson control of the team meant that three major things were either going to happen or Johnson would step down.

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First, the team would set a clear path back to the playoffs. No team likes to be down in the dumps, stuck in a rebuild, or wasting seasons trying to get draft picks. The Lakers are the golden exception to that, as they’ve never had to be in this particular position before.

For the first time in two decades, there were no All-Star game representatives from the Lakers. That should tell you something.

Putting Clarkson at point guard gives an experienced guy the spot he can play well all while letting other parts of the young core grow their game. Both Magic Johnson and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka know that the core is their keys to the future and they need to handled accordingly.

Also, out of the gate, Los Angeles broke even in their first twenty games. During this stretch, they also beat the daylights out of Golden State.

That game was a while ago, but it showed the grit that this team can have when you put a fire under it’s belly.

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