The Utah Jazz got a pretty good rhythm going and Jordan Clarkson would like to keep it coming.
On Tuesday (PHL), the Jazz were singing to the fine tune of a 132-105 victory against the Indiana Pacers. It's their sixth straight win this month.
A key factor has been Jordan Clarkson, the Filipino-American guard, who has been scoring in double digits in eight of their nine games this January (they won those eight of nine). Take note, he's been doing it off the bench.
Who can forget his career-triple double--the first for Utah since 2008--to start off 2024?
Jordan Clarkson secures his first career triple-double and becomes the first Jazz player with a triple-double since Carlos Boozer on 2/13/2008. pic.twitter.com/iItFL9Nwen
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2024
So please, let the 2020-21 NBA Sixth Man of the Year remain as the sixth man for the Jazz this year.
The 31-year-old guard has been pretty much making music with his role for this season anyway.
"I think for me, it's just, 'How can I impact the game?'" he reflected during a media availability session ahead of Tuesday's game. "I see myself as a starter, a really good player in this league, a guy that really affects games throughout my career."
"But for me, it's just a sense of awareness of myself and knowing what I can do with the opportunity in the minutes I get," Clarkson said.
"Me coming off the bench has changed my stretch a lot, where I do see a lot of the game early sitting on the sidelines. I'm in for a majority, of the rest of the game in terms of finishing the half. I'm able to see the game in full and really feel it."
“Me coming off the bench has changed my stretch a lot… I’m able to see the game in full and really feel it.” – @JordanClarksons #ShootaroundInterviews | @Zionsbank
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 15, 2024
And he has really bought into the system.
In the 19 games that Clarkson did start this season, he averaged 16.6 points with a field goal percentage of 39.9%. With turnovers at 3.0 per game, his +/- was at -7.1 in 30.8 minutes of play.
In the 13 games he played off the bench, Clarkson was averaging 19.7 points with an FG percentage of 44.7%, which is higher than his performance from the time he won the Sixth Man of the Year award. When he's not in the starting unit, his turnovers are down to 2.8 per game, and his +/- in 28.7 minutes of play is significantly better at a positive 7.1.
It's funny how things go.
After a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last November and experiencing continued discomfort in a game against the Thunder, Clarkson figured on the injury report for at least two weeks.
"When I came from an injury, I'm fine with it, we were winning, we got a good flow," Clarkson explained. "Yeah, let's just keep this thing going."
"As long as we're winning and as long as it's helping the team, I'm all for it."
Jordan Clarkson notable Utah Jazz All-Time Ranks
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) January 15, 2024
#2 in most points off the bench
#4 at 3PM
#20 Most 3PM in a single-season
#23 All-Time Points
#23 All-Time Assists
#43 All-Time Rebounds
He's had a remarkable 5 seasons with Utah pic.twitter.com/HwJTLqMFtk
Not many would enjoy playing off the bench, likely seeing it as a demotion of sorts.
But JC, who appreciates the music of Future, HNDRXX, and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, appreciates it for what it is, keeping the tune going for the second unit. Every year is getting shorter, but he seems to find the time.
"I think personally, it definitely takes some maturity and strength as a human to take that role, and really run with it and be effective," Clarkson said.
The time isn't gone, the song isn't over, JC has something more to say.
