(CNN Philippines) — Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson is in Manila, together with Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke and NBA legend Horace Grant, to celebrate the National Basketball Association (NBA) Playoffs with Filipino fans and to conduct an NBA Cares basketball clinic for underprivileged children.
During an interview with the media, the All-Rookie First Team member spoke about the support he’s getting from Filipinos, what it’s like getting mentored by Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, and how bright the Lakers’ future looks.
Can you assess your first season in the NBA?
It was alright. I got a lot of room to grow, and I still got a lot to prove.
With Julius Randle returning from injury, the number two pick, and your continuous development, how optimistic are you of the Lakers’ future?
I think we’re gonna be good next year. Let’s see what we do with the draft pick. I feel like we have a young team next year but we’ll be in contention.
We still got to work, though. Obviously we get the number two pick and all these guys coming back, we still got to put it together and make it happen on the floor. It sounds nice right now, we just got to work hard this summer and get ready for next year.
Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor?
I don’t know, they’re both talented kids.
Any memorable moments in your rookie year?
The whole year really. It was a great rookie year for me, the entire experience. It was a learning experience… it was great.
Any rookie hazings?
Yeah, I had to carry a pink backpack and push a baby stroller to the home games. [laughs]
What’s been the difference in your game since the preseason until now?
First everything was just fast for me, I was always pllaying at one speed. That’s the one thing Steve, Kobe, and coach always told me is to slow down. I’ve heard that so much this year, it’s kind of imprinted in my head during the game, is to slow down. So that really came along throughout the year.
What’s it like being mentored by Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash?
It’s great having two Hall of Famers, just having the opportunity to be around those guys is a blessing for me. I kind of just take what I learn from them and apply it to my game.
How serious is Kobe in practice?
He’s an intense guy, period. He just wants the best out of everybody — that’s what he does, he’s good at pushing players.
There are reports that Kobe is retiring next season. Your thoughts?
He is? [laughs] Nah… he might be just saying that. You never know. He might be just messing with the media.
Once he dropped the ‘F’ word in practice, how did you feel about that?
Hey, there’s a lot worse things he’s said in that locker room. [laughs]
Growing up, who did you pattern game after?
I just watched the league. When I was young I watched a lot of Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. Now I’m watching the other great guards in the league like Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. I’m watching everybody. I’m just trying to take a little bit of everything into my own game.
Which other point guard in the NBA do you like matching up against?
Steph Curry, and all the good guards, you know that’s a tough position in the league. There are no nights off at the point guard position. But Steph’s the name that comes out on top. There’s a reason why he won MVP.
How much does your Filipino heritage mean to you?
It means a lot. It’s kind of why I play — I don’t play for myself anymore. I play for us, my family, and my teammates. It’s great to have that. I love the support.
Does that mean you want to help the national team in some capacity even if you won’t be able to play?
Yeah if the opportunity presents itself, I’d love to do that.
Anything that surprised you during your visit here?
The amount of support. I’ve been feeling it the whole year, on social media. But actually coming here, actually seeing it how much they love basketball and supporting me and what I do, it’s actually pretty cool.
