Power ranking NBA Western Conference shooting guards

November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kyle Singler (15) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 122-96. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates after a 3-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during a NBA game at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Suns 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers

Clarkson is one of several Lakers to drastically exceed expectations this year. Fans and media were stymied by Kobe Bryant’s Farewell Tour last year and how it would affect the development of the young players on the team going forward.

Along with Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, Clarkson represents part of an extremely competitive young core that is being maximized by coach Luke Walton. But don’t let his membership in that core or help from a wunderkind coach undersell what Clarkson has been able to do this year.

Clarkson is averaging 15.4 points and 2.3 assists per game in just less than 28 minutes, on a 50.6 percent effective field goal rate and more of a return to what he was in his rookie year. He’s not quite a point guard this season, but he shares the backcourt off the bench with Lou Williams, another combo guard.

That has unlocked extra ball-handling duties for Clarkson, and he’s rewarded Luke Walton’s confidence by returning to an above-.200 free throw rate (free throw attempts per shot attempt) and a usage rate just shy of 25 percent.

What can he do next? Why is he only fifth? Well, the defense still needs work. Though Clarkson is at a disadvantage with slow feet and subpar athleticism, he has to make more of an impact on defense to earn starter-level minutes on a competitive roster. And continuing to make an impact as a passer and play-maker, backing up Russell in the second unit more capably, would allow the Lakers to keep and push leads even further than they have so far this season.

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