Clark thrives as a starter
Grizzlies forward is averaging 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds since taking over his new role.
It's understandable if Brandon Clarke had some concerns before making his first start of the season on Jan. 1. Whenever he started last season for the Grizzlies, something bad happened or he didn't contribute enough.
"I feel like I got hurt or we lost and I wasn't able to get into the flow of it," said following the victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
He was right. Clarke had just nine combined points in four starts last season and the Grizzlies were 1-3 in those games. In the lone win, Clarke was the only player who didn't score for the Grizzlies.
In February, he started against the Los Angeles Clippers but only played four minutes before suffering a right quadriceps injury that kept him out until the season resumed in the bubble in Orlando.
Bad luck aside, Clarke still made the All-rookie first team and set a rookie record for field goal percentage (61.8%). But if he was going to have a bigger role in the Grizzlies' next generation, he couldn't just get used to being a reserve.
Clarke found his way into starting lineup against the Hornets due to injuries, but his production has imclarke
proved this month. In nine starts, he's averaging 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.
He scored a season-high 21 points against the Brooklyn Nets and twice matched a new career-high with three steals. He's also had three consecutive games with more than two steals as the Grizzlies lead the league in that category.
"I think last year when he did start, he was trying to figure his way out, figure what his role was with that five," Tyus Jones said. "We need him to be the same B.C. that he is with the bench unit that he is with that starting group.
Part of Clarke's comfort came from playing with Jones in the second unit. With Jones starting after point guard Ja Morant got hurt, Clarke is getting to the rim and being aggressive on the glass.
Yet with with Morant now back in the starting lineup, Clarke hasn't missed a beat. He had his first double-double (11 points, a career-high 12 rebounds) in Saturday's win over the 76ers and added 17 points on Monday.
Clarke's play also coincided with recovering from a preseason groin injury. But it's not just feeling better, he's thinking the game better and relaxing in his second season.
He's also no longer worried about bad vibes coming out as a starter.
"Last year, I would rather be in the sixth man role just because I was more comfortable with that but now I feel like that it's what the team might need," Clarke said of stepping into a bigger role. "If I can step up and be the player that I know I can be, I can come in and help us out with the first five.