"All I remember is [Kobe Bryant] telling me that I've been going to the hole like a light-skin dude. I got to start going like a dark-skin. So, when I seen [sic] the lane open up, that's all I remember," Jordan Clarkson described what exactly was going through his head as he drove through the open lane and delivered a violent slam dunk that got a reaction out of the 18,997 fans in attendance at Staples Center on Sunday evening.
. @LAIreland via @TWCSportsNet asks, "You went to the hole like a dark-skin dude?" @JClark5on smiles, "Yea" �������� pic.twitter.com/mlRGFU2cSd — Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) January 4, 2016
Clarkson's dunk served as the highest of lights in a blindingly bright 20-point victory for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. At one point, the Lakers led by 38 points before eventually winning 97-77.
HUGE Slam from Jordan Clarkson! �������� #NBAVote Tune in �� @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes https://t.co/wks0esKlUZ — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 4, 2016
Clarkson's emphatic dunk deserved a couple replays, to be honest, and the dunk elicited reaction from the Lakers' bench.
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In particular, Nick Young felt the effects of the dunk, as he fell down in front of the bench and seemingly had a heart attack. Lucky, "Dr." Julius Randle managed to perform a few chest compressions and resuscitate his dying patient. NBCLA.com tracked down Young as he was recovering inside the locker room and asked him about his near death experience.
Is there a doctor in the house? Nick Young after that slam! #GoLakers 4th quarter �� @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes pic.twitter.com/Xji0tz1M2c — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 4, 2016
"I was more shocked that Jordan Clarkson was shocked he had dunked it like that," Young recounted the experience. "It was like I, uh, had a heart attack. Julius Randle brought me back to life. That's nasty. I died. I died."
Young added, "I'm back to life now."
Roy Hibbert with the fake-then SLAM! #NBAVote 3rd quarter �� @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes https://t.co/eMf4gtKAjo — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 4, 2016
Beyond Clarkson, Lakers center Roy Hibbert also threw down a dunk that had the locker room talking. Lou Williams, who is averaging 24.3 points per game over the Lakers' winning streak, and Jordan Clarkson both spoke glowingly about Hibbert's dunk. Clarkson offered that Hibbert's dunk trumped his own because of the ball fake, while Williams infused a bit of comedy to the big man's powerful finish.
Lou Williams joking about Roy Hibbert dunking tonight: "I just feel like he's tall enough where he should dunk all the basketballs." — Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 4, 2016
Though the fourth quarter featured a predictable loss of focus, the Lakers never allowed the Phoenix Suns to cut the gap to single digits. With the victory, the Lakers are on a season-best three-game winning streak, but the Lakers next face the world champions Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
