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Jordan Clarkson’s career renaissance under Will Hardy has been nothing short of miraculous. The fan favorite and one-time 6th Man of the Year is averaging career highs basically across the board with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He’s also shooting 37.5% from downtown and has been a vital piece to the Utah Jazz overperformance thus far this season.
But he’s not the most valuable player on the roster. I made the executive decision to rank him 2nd. Now, I could try and explain this away, like how multiple people told me that they misinterpreted the last poll and thought the question was who was the MVP and thereby misplaced their vote. Or how a Twitter poll I ran brought the final tally to a near tie. All of which is true. But at the end of the day, this isn’t the All Star Game voting. This isn’t a popularity contest or who your favorite player is. This was to rank the most valuable player on the Utah Jazz roster.
Jordan Clarkson was the closer tonight for the #UtahJazz. With the Jazz down one, Clarkson scored 8 straight points to put the Jazz in front for good. Clarkson had 28 points (15 in the 4th) and the Jazz are now 12-6, 1st in the West.#TakeNote l @KSLSports l #UTAvsPOR pic.twitter.com/zNSBOYmRUm
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) November 20, 2022
And in my mind, that’s pretty unquestionable. I mean no disrespect to Clarkson and the joy it’s been watching him this season. But Markkanen comes out significantly better in all of the advanced metric catch-alls, he’s significantly younger, and under contract for much longer. There’s a reason an All Star campaign was launched by his teammates on his behalf.
All that said, Clarkson really has been fantastic this year and climbing up into the top end of #JazzRank has been incredible. Will Hardy has him playing such a better role than the ultimate green light gunner off the bench from years past. He’s a facilitator and leader now rather than just a volume scorer. He’s still got that ‘on a heater’ mode occasionally, but he’s playing more controlled and team-centric. He seems to love it here in Utah and the fans love him right back! (and I’m prepared for the outrage I might get because of my decision)
Jazz Rank Results
2. Jordan Clarkson
3. Mike Conley
4. Collin Sexton
5. Jarred Vanderbilt
6. Kelly Olynyk
7/8. Malik Beasley and Walker Kessler
9. Simone Fontecchio
10. Talen Horton-Tucker
11. Ochai Agbaji
12. Nikeil Alexander-Walker
13. Udoka Azubuike
14. Leandro Bolmaro
15. Rudy Gay
Poll
What is Lauri Markkanen’s best nickname?
This poll is closed
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3%
Lauri Legend
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55%
The Finnisher
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28%
The Markksmen
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9%
Lauri Bird
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2%
Other (in comments)
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