The 36-year-old superstar has sat out three of the Lakers' last six games, including the Lakers' 106-94 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
While this is certainly a concerning development for the Lakers, especially considering how much money is tied up in Bryant this season and the next, it isn't the only development worth tracking.
Outside of the constant Bryant updates, there are a few notable news items and storylines to keep track of with this struggling franchise. Here is a look at three of the latest news tidbits from Lakerland.
Jordan Clarkson's D-League Exploits
Since the Lakers' season is undoubtedly a lost cause, at least in terms of immediate success, much of the organization's attention should be devoted toward identifying and developing the talent that can help this team succeed in the future.
One such player is Jordan Clarkson, who is still a member of the big squad on most nights but has lately found himself bouncing back and forth between the Association and the D-League, which he is turning into his own personal showcase on most nights. In six D-League appearances with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, Clarkson has averaged 24.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Nice box scores, to be sure, but the one person Clarkson really needs to impress in the short term—head coach Byron Scott—isn't swayed by the numbers, per the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan and Jim Peltz.
"I don't evaluate those games. I don't even try," said Scott. "I don't look at his box scores and things like that. I'll ask [Clarkson] personally how did he think he played and then I'll always ask him, 'Who did you guard and what did he have?'"
Kudos to Scott for harping on Clarkson's defense. In a ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
