Veteran guard Jordan Clarkson delivered a clear message about preparation and professionalism after contributing in limited minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The scorer emphasized readiness as the foundation of his approach while navigating a smaller role with the New York Knicks during the 2025-26 NBA season.
“For me, it’s just staying ready,” Clarkson said in an interview with Mark Medina of EssentiallySports. “I take advantage of every opportunity that I get. Today was the end of the third and beginning of the fourth. So I’m just continuing to stay ready, talking to the young dudes, talking to my teammates, and being engaged. That’s all I’ve been worried about.”
The guard explained that preparation extends beyond games and includes daily work with younger teammates.
“Playing with young dudes, playing 5-on-5, playing 1-on-1 with Tyler [Kolek], Jeremy [Sochan], Mo [Diawara], the coaches, and extra running,” Clarkson said. “I’m staying in the gym, staying in the weight room, and continuing to watch film. I’m just staying engaged.”
Clarkson has appeared in 56 games this season, averaging 8.6 points in 17.7 minutes per contest.
New York currently holds a 41-25 record and sits third in the Eastern Conference standings, built around the production of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The 33-year-old said experience allows him to contribute even when his role shifts within the rotation.
“It’s from experience and from watching,” Clarkson said. “Sometimes, I might not be able to do some stuff that other players can do on the court, whether it’s defensively or offensively. So I just let them hear what I’m seeing from my perspective of the game.”
He pointed to communication with teammates as a way to help the team make in-game adjustments.
“Sometimes, it’s with the young guys like Mo with how to navigate defensively,” Clarkson said. “If it’s with KAT, tell him to slow down offensively and play off [teammates] and about navigating double teams.”
Clarkson also addressed the challenge of remaining competitive while not playing major minutes.
“I just stay ready. I get paid to be a hooper,” Clarkson said. “So I wake up in the morning, go shoot, play 5-on-5, whoever it is.”
The veteran credited his background for shaping his approach to the league.
“I came from San Antonio, Texas. Only a few made it to the league from San Antonio,” Clarkson said. “So I’m trying to be an example and inspire my people back home from the Philippines all the way to San Antonio.”
Clarkson also discussed the possibility of representing the Philippines in international competition this summer.
“I’m looking into it. I know it’s the Asian Games this summer,” Clarkson said. “Hopefully, I get a chance to compete.”
The guard believes the national program has the talent needed to compete internationally.
“I think we have a good chance,” Clarkson said. “We just got to figure out how to mesh the guys together and play the right combinations.”
Clarkson also reflected on what he learned from former teammates LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
“Both of them were constantly working,” Clarkson said. “Those dudes were meticulous to the smallest details.”
He also shared a personal memory from Bryant’s historic final game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I remember he went 0-for-7 or 0-for-8,” Clarkson said. “But when he made that first one, I knew he was in the flow then.”
