Beyond the Game

By Brian Joseph N. Yalung

Jordan Clarkson continues to rise among the ranks and has been showing that with his current team, the Utah Jazz. 

However, he is likely aware that he needs to hone his craft if he is to stay the course of carving out a name for himself in the world of basketball.

The 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner is currently in the Philippines to provide the country’s national team a boost.

For those who were able to catch Jordan Clarkson’s stint for Gilas Pilipinas against the Dominican Republic, there is no question that the 6-foot-5 guard made a huge difference – at least for most parts of that game.

Clarkson, who finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in about 34 minutes of action, failed to finish the game after incurring his fifth foul with about three minutes to go. That told heavily on the Philippines, resulting in the unfortunate 81-87 loss to the Dominicans.

He was visibly upset although he did show signs of struggling with the calls made by international referees. Clarkson admits he is aware of the physicality and will need to make the necessary adjustments for the Philippines.

As far as his basketball career is concerned, Clarkson knows that he has to get accustomed to the international brand of play even more. Some NBA players are not fully acclimatized to playing FIBA basketball, Karl-Anthony Towns included.

Clarkson and Towns delivered the numbers but most saw that both were still feeling their way. Aside from the physicality, there were the calls that left them thinking.

International Basketball has changed the game

But given time, Clarkson and even Towns can look forward to evolving into better players. International basketball has changed the game and it has been a key part of driving American basketball according to veteran journalist and book author Roland Lazenby.

“There is no question, in general, that global basketball has driven the rise of American basketball. It’s very important because basketball right now is a global economy,” the 70-year-old pointed out to this writer.

Clarkson signed a contract extension with the Utah Jazz, a priority according to Jazz general manager Justin Zanik.

After starting his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, there is no doubt that Clarkson is a gift that the Utah Jazz will cherish.

Clarkson is a true pilgrim who blossoms without unnecessary hype

“He is a true pilgrim. He goes about the work without call out a lot of attention. He is a lively player. He’s really been a gift for Utah. Danny Ainge is a sly fox when it comes to finding players. Jordan Clarkson has been an important part of what they are trying to do to re-cast the Utah Jazz – a team with a proud history that plays system basketball,” Lazenby explained. 

Clarkson owns NBA career averages of 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals in 661 regular season games. He has made the NBA playoffs four times, three of them with the Jazz (the other being with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2017-18 NBA season).

Those numbers are likely to improve. But for Clarkson, it goes beyond the numbers – particularly on the court. Clarkson knows that he needs to stand up and be a leader, and motivate his teammates to be at their best to increase their chances of winning games.