Rio Olympics 2016: Playing for 'Gilas Pilipinas' Not a Smart Idea for Jordan Clarkson, Says Analyst
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) or the Philippine Basketball Federation are still confident that Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers will be able to join the Philippine National Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas, for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3, as reported by PhilStar.
Filipino basketball officials recently spoke to the Lakers front office including team president Jeanie Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak as reported by Lakers Nation.
"It's still a work in progress but with better clarity. They requested some time to talk to the Lakers coaches," SBP vice president Ricky Vargas told PhilStar.
Lakers Nation also reports that Clarkson needs the approval of the Lakers coaching staff in order to play in the FIBA Asia Tournament because it conflicts with the Lakers' media day on Sept. 28 and training camp in Hawaii from Sept. 29 to Oct. 7. The 16-time NBA Champions see Clarkson as an important part of the future of the franchise and would likely want him during the entire training camp.
SBP also talked to Mike Clarkson, Jordan's father, about the whole arrangement. "[He's] appreciative of reception his son received from the Filipino basketball fans and from "Gilas Pilipinas" team. They asked to review the arrangement and wanted assurance that we secure Lakers permission to allow him to skip three days of training camp," Vargas said as quoted by PhilStar.
However, Slam Philippines reports that Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders tweeted why the Lakers and Clarkson won't benefit that much if he played for "Gilas Pilipinas." This is what Kyler tweeted in summary:
"This Jordan Clarkson FIBA thing seems foolish. Why would Clarkson risk injury and skip three days of camp? He is far from secure financially. I can understand wanting to play for a National Team in the summer but missing first three days of camp in his situation seems foolish. Equally, why would the Lakers agree to something like that? Clarkson comes in three days late and worn down or possibly injured? The first few days of camp are were roles are defined and sets are installed. Missing those days seems unwise."
Kyler does have a point in terms of Clarkson not being financially secured as the rookie will only make $845,059 for the upcoming season and an injury will derail a good deal for him, according to Slam Philippines.
Clarkson also has some real competition for minutes with the Lakers. The Lakers drafted D'Angelo Russell, signed Lou Williams and Marcelo Huertas and Kobe Bryant is back from injury. The Lakers should be worried as the Utah Jazz lost Dante Exum to a torn ACL while playing for Australia earlier this summer, per Bleacher Report.
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