The unexpected rise of Jordan Clarkson

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson is having his best season as a pro. This is quite the unexpected turn after being acquired in a flurry of trades last season. Another reason for the unexpected uptick in play is that Clarkson is coming off the bench and not starting. In the past eight games Clarkson has met or surpassed 15 points six times. Three of those occasions have included 20+ point efforts. During this time Clarkson has shot 44 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from deep and 91.3 from the charity stripe. Clarkson is also second on the team in points during that span with 127, only trailing Collin Sexton. When being acquired last season Clarkson had to adjust to life on a LeBron James led team. The up and down performances during that time is what was expected when changing teams mid-season. With James now in Los Angeles, Clarkson’s fortunes have changed. Tying his career-high in points per game with 15.5. A number that Clarkson put up in his second season in the league. What is most notable about that season is that Clarkson started all 79 games he appeared in and average 32.3 minutes per game. This season Clarkson only averages 24.3 minutes and his scoring is the best it has been in his career.

Jordan Clarkson’s shooting is making a huge difference

What is most noticeable is that Jordan Clarkson is making the highest percentage of his two-point field goals of his career. 53.4 percent is nearly three percent higher than his previous best. Clarkson has found a way to thrive in the mid-range game, a forgotten art in the modern NBA. Clarkson is only taking 16.5 percent of shots from 10-16 feet and 14.5 percent from 16 feet the three-point line. The conversion rates on these shots are 59.5 and 45.9 percent respectively. Clarkson’s average shot distance this season is 14.2 feet. This is the longest distance of his career. While a part of this is due to attempting a career-high 4.3 shots from deep this season, the shots from mid-range are also responsible. While 31.8 percent of Clarkson’s shots are from the beyond the arc, only 29.6 percent of them have fallen. In time this number should increase, Clarkson is a career 33.6 percent three-point shooter.

Jordan Clarkson is the spark plug the Cavaliers need

Jordan Clarkson has found a role as a spark plug off the bench for the Cavaliers. The role fits both Clarkson and the team well. In just over 24 minutes per game Clarkson is able to provide Cleveland with a fairly consistent scoring threat. A team that is able to bring someone off the bench and have them contribute almost immediately is frustrating for opponents. While Clarkson’s other numbers are not all that impressive, he is not out there for assists, steals and rebounds. Clarkson is on the floor to score and nothing more. Any assist, rebound or steal that Clarkson accumulates is a bonus. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a bench scorer, Jordan Clarkson has a defined role and another piece of the puzzle falls into place for a rebuilding team.