Jeremy Lin might not have secured yet the starting point guard role for the Los Angeles Lakers at training camp, but there's already an emerging threat to his tenure in purple-and-gold franchise.
Jordan Clarkson, the second-round pick of the Lakers in last June's NBA Draft, is expected to give both Lin and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash a run for their money as the team's starting playmaker towards the end of the season.
Los Angeles Time Lakers beat writer Mike Bresnahan pointed out this possibility in his Lakers training camp report issued last Monday. According to him, Clarkson might end up as a starter in the final weeks of the 2014-15 season, as the Lakers coaching staffs looks to speed up the development of the talented guard out of Missouri.
Bresnahan expected the Lakers young studs (no.7 overall pick Julius Randle and Clarkson) to have a big role in their first season in purple-and-gold jersey. However, many analysts are high on Clarkson becoming a more integral part of Byron Scott's rotation.
"Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson will both come off the bench to start the season, but some within the Lakers' organization actually think Clarkson, the second-round pick, will have a bigger impact of the rookies," according to the LA Times writer.
"The 46th overall selection had a great off-season and impressed Lakers coaches at the Las Vegas summer league. One team insider thinks Clarkson could push for the starting job at point guard later in the season."
Traded by the Houston Rockets along with a first-rounder to the Lakers last July, the 26-year old Lin is projected to have a bounced-back year following two up-and-down seasons with the Rockets.
With Nash looking to preserve his ageing body as much as he can throughout the 82-game season, the 26-year old Lin will have a major bulk of playing time at point guard sport.
Unfortunately for Lin, his tenure in Hollywood is far from being guaranteed because of his impending free-agency next summer and the threat from Clarkson, who could be an efficient two-way player for the Lakers based on scouts' evaluation.
In short, Clarkson's gains will be Lin's losses this coming season. Clarkson's rapid development into a good playmaker could mean the end of the Asian-American star's tenure in LA - a scenario every Lin fan doesn't want to happen.
For more Jeremy Lin news and update, read more at Travelers Today
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
