Update: After initial breaking of the news involving allegations that Lakers Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young sexually harassed two women, the story has become even more murky.
First, this update from Shahan Ahmed who mentions that the accuser may have been the first person to make any sort of gesture:
Spoke to source who said Young/Clarkson car cut off other car. Female flipped off Lakers first who then also reacted inappropriately.
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) March 22, 2016
Source said understanding was, "It happened fast and was over quick." Was surprised it was turned into anything…note: source not impartial
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) March 22, 2016
As Ahmed points out, his source is not impartial, meaning he or she is likely affiliated with the Lakers in some shape or form. Additionally, while this adds an extra layer to the story, it does not really excuse the behavior of the Lakers players.
After the breaking of the story, Nick Young took to Twitter to vent and almost immediately deleted the tweet:
Since then, Mark Medina of the LA Daily News has reported that Young is disputing the claims made against him and Clarkson. In fact, he is reportedly considering filing a lawsuit against the accuser.
Original Post
The Los Angeles Lakers are investigating sexual harassment allegations against Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes. The two were accused of making inappropriate gestures at two women at a traffic stop. One of the women was Alexis Jones, an activist that has attempted to stop these incidents, as well as others, in the world of sports.
According to Jones, she and her mother encountered the two Lakers (along with two other men) at a traffic stop on Sunday night in Hollywood. The men inside the other vehicle reportedly made sexual gestures toward Jones’ 68-year old mother. According to Jones, her mother was immediately rattled by the actions.
Young and Clarkson were immediately identified after Jones posted a picture of the young men on her Instagram feed. The picture also shows another figure in a red hoodie who may have been rookie D’Angelo Russell based on a picture taken the same day at a birthday party for Young’s son.
Fortunately, the Lakers have immediately worked to fix the solution, including inviting Jones to come speak to the team about her activism. The invite was given by Lakers’ spokesman John Black who also told Holmes that the team is taking the matter “very seriously.” Head coach Byron Scott has also already spoken with Clarkson and Young about the incident.
Jones was apparently offered the chance to speak to Clarkson and Young at the facility but was unable to and her request to do so over the phone was denied.
Jones seems to have been pleased with how the Lakers have responded, having the following to say:
“I’ve been inspired by how the Lakers have responded,” she said. “I’m not special. This is happening to women everywhere,” Jones said. “I’m not here to shame them. That’s the last thing I want to do … I don’t want to crucify them. I want to use it as an opportunity to change behavior.”
Clearly, this is not a good look for the Lakers and especially for Clarkson and Young. The actions committed by those two (and whoever else in that car joined them) are despicable and should be shamed. The Lakers seem to have done a fine job of working to solve the problem, including working with the victim. Hopefully, this will be a teachable moment for two young men who seemingly need to learn about the consequences of their actions.
We will update the situation as more details become evident.
