Tigers-turned-Lakers thriving

One guy is considered a key to the Los Angeles Lakers’ future. The other is fighting to just to stay with the team.

Two former Missouri Tigers, Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown, are in training camp in Honolulu with the Lakers. They might face divergent career paths, but for the moment, they are still balling together in intrasquad scrimmages.

"Jabari is like a brother to me, so it’s cool to have him around," Clarkson said. "It’s comforting."

The explosive guards teamed up at Mizzou to beat Hawaii 92-80 in Kansas City early in the 2013-14 season. Brown (23 points, five rebounds) and Clarkson (13 points) led the Tigers in that game.

That they were Lakers teammates last season and are still playing together is remarkable. Neither was considered close to a lock to make an NBA team; Clarkson was the 46th overall draft pick in 2014 and Brown went undrafted.

Yet Clarkson, who earned the Lakers’ starting point guard job last season, has been perhaps the most impressive of the 19 players here for camp. That includes superstar Kobe Bryant, who was inactive during the scrimmage at the end of Friday’s daytime session at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Brown hasn’t had as many "wow" plays, but he’s seen the court as coach Byron Scott and his assistants have taken stock of what they have leading into two sold-out exhibition games against the Utah Jazz on Sunday and Tuesday.

The Jazz arrive for their first practice in Hawaii today.

A few Lakers were sidelined Friday. Bryant has gone off-and-on while he recovers from shoulder surgery. Metta World Peace has a calf ailment. Rookie guard D’Angelo Russell sat out with foot soreness and shooting guard Nick Young exited near the end of the practice with what Scott said were back spasms.

"I mean, that’s why we brought the numbers that we brought," Scott said. "We brought 19 guys to camp because you always gotta figure we’d have three or four guys on the shelf sooner or later, so we kind of have enough guys to do some of the things we want to do on a day-to-day basis."

During the regular season, teams can’t carry more than 15 players on their roster, meaning there are cuts to be made.

Scott said he hasn’t decided on a starting lineup for Sunday’s 3 p.m. exhibition at the Sheriff, and issued a "we’ll see" on Bryant’s playing status. He added he planned to get his reserves plenty of minutes.

That’s good news for Brown, who averaged 11.9 points last season (including a 32-point game against Sacramento). He latched on last season with two 10-day contracts in March, then signed a two-year deal for the minimum.

"For me, I always play with a chip on my shoulder, and just every day knowing it could be the last," Brown said. "You just gotta bring everything you got. It doesn’t let you get complacent. So it doesn’t really bother me, I just use it to work harder."

Clarkson (11.9 points, 3.5 assists) appears poised to build on his All-Rookie season. The team has marveled at his improved defense in particular.

Seeing Clarkson — or "J.C." as he’s known on the team — continue to excel hasn’t been surprising to his college teammate.

"I feel like he’s a guy who works real hard and is always adding something to his game," Brown said. "He’s looked real good out here. He always has a ton of energy. That’s definitely stood out."

As for what Brown can do? Clarkson voiced appreciation for his game, as well.

"It’s come a long way," Clarkson said. "But Jabari, he does what he does. He makes shots, plays hard and gets after it."