Jordan Clarkson has experienced a rollercoaster first season with the New York Knicks, transitioning from a rotation player early in the season to spending much of his time on the bench. With today’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on the horizon, Clarkson took a moment to reflect on his past experiences alongside LeBron James, his former teammate during their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In an interview with Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Clarkson opened up about the invaluable lessons he learned while playing with LeBron during the 2017-18 season, a year marked by their journey to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell short against the Golden State Warriors. “It was a dope experience, seeing him, being able to pick his brain. Being around his work, what he does, film sessions, everything. It was just amazing,” Clarkson shared. He emphasized the greatness of LeBron during that playoff stretch, particularly recalling a memorable performance against Toronto, describing the time in Cleveland as a peak in LeBron’s career.
After LeBron’s departure to the Lakers, Clarkson continued his career in the NBA, eventually winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2021 while playing for Utah. Currently, Clarkson finds himself on the Knicks amid a crowded rotation, with players like Jose Alvarado, Jeremy Sochan, and OG Anunoby affecting his playing time. He has seen a decrease in minutes and is averaging 8.7 points this season, frequently only entering games during garbage time.
As the Knicks prepare to face the Lakers, Clarkson may once again be relegated to the sidelines, observing from the bench as his team seeks another victory against a familiar rival. The matchup holds significance, especially as LeBron is listed as questionable due to a bruised left elbow. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic has been a standout for the Lakers, recently scoring 44 points against Indiana.
The Knicks arrive in strong form with a record of 41-23, sitting third in the Eastern Conference, and fresh off a resounding 142-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Despite Jalen Brunson struggling with only nine points in that game, New York still managed to shoot nearly 58% from the field. The Knicks previously defeated the Lakers 112-100 earlier this season and will be aiming to take a two-game advantage in their series.
In addition to the present matchup, speculation surrounds LeBron’s potential as a free agent this summer, with the Knicks being mentioned as a possible destination. As the game unfolds, fans will be eager to see if Clarkson’s reflections on LeBron will provide any motivation within the context of this highly anticipated match.