2014 NBA Mock Draft: An in-depth look at both rounds
By Joe Nardone
Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
37. Toronto Raptors – Jordan Clarkson, SG, Missouri
H: 6′ 5″ W: 186 lbs DOB: 06/07/1992
2013-14 NCAA (35 GP) 17.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 3.4 APG 20.4 PER
Jordan Clarkson is another one of my favorites in this draft, as the combo guard can score in a multitude of ways, and I think will be a better point guard in the NBA as he really thrives in the pick-and-roll and at attacking the basket. Clarkson is a great finisher, who can absorb contact and really has touch with both hands when getting through the lane.
As a 6-foot-5 point guard, Clarkson is a mismatch both with the ball and in transition, and even though he isn’t the most fundamental defender, he knows how to use his 6-foot-8 wingspan to frustrate ball handlers and shooters alike.
The biggest knock on Clarkson is his inability to shoot from deep, which is an understandable concern for a point guard, but he’s a good decision maker with the ball, and took three times as many two-point shots (50%) than he did three’s (28.1%) last season. Clarkson’s also very good at attracting extra defenders, and even though he isn’t Chris Paul in terms of facilitating offense, he’s good at recognizing mismatches and who his open teammate is, which I anticipate him only doing a better job with as his teammates become more athletic at the next level. — Jared