One of the major takeaways from the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2015-16 season was that if the team wanted their hoped-for backcourt of the future of Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell to work, both of them would have to improve in two major areas. The young duo would not only have to get better defensively, but both would have to improve as shooters as well.
The jury is still out on whether or not Clarkson and Russell will make strides on the defensive end this season, but Clarkson certainly seems to be addressing the latter criticism this summer.
The third-year guard already improved his three-point stroke from 31.4 percent in his rookie season to 34.7 percent in his sophomore one, and rather than just aim for a slight uptick, Clarkson looks like he’s went with the breakthrough strategy of just making every single three-pointer he takes. More NBA players should probably try this method (video courtesy of Clarkson’s trainer, Drew Hanlen):
The brodie @JClark5on has been working on extending his range. @Lakers fans, get excited! @LakersNation #unseenhours pic.twitter.com/hieDFTpQtQ
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) August 2, 2016
Not that anyone is counting, but that was 15 makes in a row for Clarkson. An empty gym while getting passes right in his shooting pocket is hardly a game situation, but that is an impressive success rate nonetheless. If Clarkson can hit a league-average or better amount of his three-pointers, a backcourt featuring him and Russell will suddenly start to look a lot more dangerous, in addition to offering his teammates plenty more space to play in.
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