Lakers' Clarkson calls chance to work with Nash 'a blessing'

It's difficult to imagine a better mentor for a rookie point guard than Steve Nash.

Ideally, Los Angeles Lakers freshman Jordan Clarkson would have spent the season watching Nash from the bench and learning by example. With Nash ruled out for the year on the eve of the season, Clarkson has instead found himself playing more and learning through trial by fire.

Over the past several weeks, Nash has made himself more available to the team, and Clarkson in particular, than earlier in the season, coinciding with an uptick in responsibility for Clarkson. The Missouri product has been texting with Nash for some time and worked with him in person three weeks ago, a relationship that appears as if it will continue.

Over the All-Star Break, Clarkson hooked up with Nash in L.A. once again, working out with his new mentor for a few hours. Not surprisingly, Clarkson appreciates the opportunity.

"He's a great and a future Hall of Famer," the 46th overall pick said. "Being able to pick his mind is just a blessing for me. I'm going to continue to learn and pick his brain every time I'm around him."

Clarkson's numbers aren't quite showing improvement yet, but the fact that he's been able to handle a larger offensive load and more minutes as the season's progressed is encouraging. In 31 games, he's averaging 7.6 points and 1.7 assists, numbers that have jumped to 13.4 and 3.8, respectively, since he entered the starting lineup 10 games ago.

While he still has a lot of work to do when it comes to scoring, and he could really use a 3-point stroke, any on-court progress Clarkson is making is found money in what was expected to be a redshirt season.