It took nearly all season for Jordan Clarkson to solidify a reputation as a steady, hard-working guard who allows his play to speak louder than his words. It took less than 30 seconds for Clarkson to offer none of that in a series of head-scratching sequences that prompted Lakers coach Byron Scott to yank him off the floor.
Well before the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento on Tuesday at Staples Center became official, Clarkson first committed a turnover that allowed Kings guard Darren Collison to convert on a fast-break layup. Then Clarkson responded on the other end by attempting a 26-foot 3-pointer that Clarkson described as a “crazy shot” at the top of the key.