Faried thinks Clarkson can be a ‘special’ player in the NBA

Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried has also taken notice of Los Angeles Lakers’ Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson.

And how could Faried not remember Clarkson after the 23-year-old played one of his better games against the Nuggets at the tailend of last season.

“He’s a good player, very good player,” said Faried, who, along with San Antonio Spurs shooter Danny Green is in Manila to grace the 2015 NBA 3X Philippines.

“Hopefully one day, if he really works at it, he’s gonna be special. But for now, he seems to find a way to get to the hole and finish. He’s working to get better.”

Faried got to play against Clarkson twice out of the four times the Nuggets and the Lakers met last season. And during the two teams’ final meeting in April, Clarkson scored 21 points and had nine assists and two steals in a losing effort on the road.

The 6-foot-5 Clarkson had a rough start to his rookie year before getting to show what he’s capable of in the latter part of the season.

Clarkson, who is also in town training with the national team in hopes of getting the green light from Fiba to represent the country in the Fiba Asia Championship next month, wound up making the All-Rookie First Team after averaging 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Faried also can’t wait to see how Filipinos play the game of basketball on Friday when the 3-on-3 competition kicks off at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.