Earl Clark: ‘I’ll ALWAYS Be a Laker’ Point Forward Discusses Kobe, Kyrie, LeBron, Big 3 & Finding His Way in the League

Earl Clark might not be the first name that comes up in casual NBA conversations, but for real hoop heads, his journey through the league is a textbook example of perseverance, timing, and pure talent that needed the right opportunity to shine. A former lottery pick out of Louisville, Clark’s NBA story has seen it all — from being buried on veteran-heavy benches to catching fire under the bright lights of Los Angeles when Mike D’Antoni had no choice but to let him rock.

When you talk to Earl, what stands out immediately is the honesty. There’s no sugarcoating. He’s reflective, self-aware, and grateful — not just for the highlights, but for the grind. He gives love to the Phoenix Suns, the Orlando Magic, and even overseas squads, but he’ll tell you straight up: “I’ll always be a Laker.” That 2012-13 season was his moment. Injuries gave him an opening, and Clark turned it into a full-blown campaign of “I belong here.” And he did. He showed it night in and night out.

In our sit-down on today’s episode of the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Clark opened up about everything — from playing with Kobe Bryant to guarding Kevin Durant. From learning the ropes under Rick Pitino to going from Stan Van Gundy’s defense-first mentality to D’Antoni’s run-and-gun offense in LA. And he doesn’t hold back. You’ll hear him talk about what made Kobe flip the table in practice, what early Kyrie was like in Cleveland, and why he modeled his game after Allen Iverson even though he was built more like a modern-day four.

It’s rare to talk to a player who’s shared a locker room with so many stars — Amar’e Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard — yet still keeps it real about the struggle of finding your place in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone. Clark’s seen the politics, felt the frustrations, and kept coming back. He’s played everywhere from the NBA to the CBA and the EuroLeague, and at each stop, he picked up pieces of the game — and life — that continue to shape him.

This is Earl Clark unplugged. No script. No filter. Just one of New Jersey’s finest telling his truth — the highs, the near-misses, the learning curves, and the moments he’ll never forget. Whether you remember him catching lobs in purple and gold or locking up on defense in Orlando, this conversation is a reminder that everybody’s basketball story hits differently.

And Earl Clark’s? 

It’s one worth telling.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You played for a number of teams throughout your NBA career, but is there one that feels like ‘home’ to you when you look back — and why?

Earl Clark:  To me, I’ll always be a Laker because the Lake Show gave me an opportunity to really get out there and prove myself, you know? I was a lottery pick drafted to the Phoenix Suns but it was a veteran ball club, you know? It really wasn’t too much — they didn’t have time for me to make rookie mistakes so you know, basically they had their team. They just picked the best available guy and so I just became a journeyman after that going to Orlando and I encountered the same thing — a playoff team that came back from going to the NBA Finals the year before and you know if you know Stan Van Gundy if he has his guys locked in, there’s really not much you can do to crack that rotation! So, I had some times here and there with some guys when they rolled their ankle and I played good for a week or two but it wasn’t enough to sustain how it was in L.A.  So the Lake Show really gave me a chance to go out there and show people that I belong in the league, so I’m ALWAYS gonna say that I’m a Laker for sure. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you remember your ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment — especially that first interaction with Kobe Bryant?

Earl Clark:  [smiling] Awww man! Probably just walking in the locker room! He was the first person I saw and first I said, ‘What’s up’ to him and he asked me how I like Stan [Van Gundy] and we talked for a little bit and then on my way out he asked me, “Yo! Where are you from?” and I don’t know if he recognized the way I talked or something, but it was crazy but, when I was walking out the locker room I was like, ‘I just spoke to Bean!’ It was a crazy feeling and then just getting out there on the court with him, watching him train and practicing with him… it was just an unbelievable feeling. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Coming out of Louisville, how did you have to adjust your game — especially once you got to the league and found yourself sharing the floor with someone like Kobe?

Earl Clark:  I think it started from Louisville. In high school I was a point guard. I wasn’t the first because you got guys like TimThomas — guys you know that changed the game; guys that were tall that can handle the ball and had a lot of skill set. But when I went to Louisville, he [Rick Pitino] told me that I was going to play at guard, when I got there it was totally different! [laughs]  He was like, “I want you to be like Antoine Walker. A lot of my forwards can dribble, they can shoot… they can do all things.” So I just had to go there and break my game down. I had to learn how to post up; I had to learn how to play post defense. I was going up against a big strong guy from Columbia named Juan Palacios. He was my teammate. At that time, he was like… 250 pounds just punishing me, you know what I’m sayin’? So I had to learn how to use my feet and speed and mainly play defense. That saved me a lot too, playing defense because you can’t always do that. Those jobs are taken mostly in the NBA so you have to kinda adjust and find a niche.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You played under Rick Pitino at Louisville — what was that experience like, and what’s it been like watching him bring that same energy to St. John’s?

Earl Clark:  [smiling] Awww man! Coach P is a madman! He’s a psycho, man! He’s not gonna leave out until he’s back on top or back winning again. So I know once he got the St. John’s job where the stage is set up where everything is back to normal; he’s back at a top notch program, he’s gonna get kids to come there because he loves the game so much. He doesn’t just want to go home, chill and retire, he wants to be in that gym and those meetings, making his coaches run… [laughing] Coach P just loves the game so much. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What do you remember most about your time with that Phoenix Suns playoff team — and seeing Kobe up close during that Western Conference Finals run?

Earl Clark:  When I got there, that’s when they switched things up. It was me and I was on the team with J-Rich (Jason Richardson), Jared Dudley, Amar’e [Stoudemire], Lou Amundson, Channing Frye… that team. And that year we made it to the Western Conference Finals and that’s another way that I saw how good Kobe was. I had the best seats in the house. I wasn’t getting any minutes so I’m just watching him go crazy. Like, ‘Bro! This guy is AMAZING!’  It’s different when you see it up close and then on TV, you know? 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was it like watching Amar’e Stoudemire up close during your rookie year — especially with the way bigs play now?

Earl Clark:  Yeah! And my rookie year was one of his best seasons in the NBA. I think he averaged like, 27 and he was behind Kobe in the Western Conference in scoring. He was killin’! That’s when the next year New York paid him and he ended up leaving but, I mean he was playing all the minutes so I couldn’t say nothin’! Because he was killin’, bro! I’m not gonna lie, but STAT was going crazy that year! 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you see any similarities between Amar’e Stoudemire and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the way they play?

Earl Clark:  Do I see Amar’e and Giannis? Yeah I think on the drive, face up and willing their ways to the rim, but I don’t know if Amar’e has bigger hands but it’s something when he puts it in that right hand in that claw… I feel like the Greek Freak has more of a skill set and I think Amar’e in his later years he developed a shot, a midrange and continued to get better but, I don’t see him as much as a dynamic role that Amar’e was, you know? Catch and dunk right away but, he [Giannis] obviously has bounce but they kind’ve got different games the way I see it. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was your experience like playing with the Orlando Magic, and who were some of the key teammates you connected with?

Earl Clark:  Jameer Nelson, Hedo Türkoğlu… Yup. Brandon Bass… who else was there? I played with Big Baby, Von Wafer, Quentin Richardson… It was a good team! 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was the locker room and off-court chemistry like with the Orlando Magic? Did you guys spend much time together outside of games?

Earl Clark:  [smiling] Aww man! As far as camaraderie and guys hanging out, that was one of my closest teams! We used to go to Q-Rich’s house, a lot man! It was before he was married, you know? We would go over there and play cards, video games all night just talking with the guys. We used to go to Dave & Buster’s a lot too and meet there and get drinks, food and hang out — even Dwight [Howard] would invite us to his house, you know what I’m sayin’? He had a big crib and we’d go over there and play video games and chill at his house. So we hung out a lot in Orlando. That team was pretty close. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What are your thoughts on Dwight Howard finally getting inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame, especially considering his impact during your time together?

Earl Clark:  It’s great because Dwight, he’s a good dude, man. He has a good heart and he was a helluva basketball player, you know? He did things that people are just not doing. I think leaving him off the NBA Top 75 List was kind of insane. You put his numbers up there and see what he’s done coming from high school having a long career — dominating at one time even when I was on the team. Taking us to the playoffs getting 40 points and 20 rebounds. A lot of people didn’t want to play against him so how is he NOT a Hall of Famer? But it’s politics in everything, you know what I’m sayin’? We’re all going through our stuff but I’m glad to see him get his just due and he’s finally getting his flowers. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you think Dwight Howard deserves to be on the NBA’s Top 100 Players list?

Earl Clark:  For sure! I think that with everybody, it’s a conversation and everybody’s talking about it and you know nowadays there’s so many media outlets and so many breakdowns that with the numbers, I think that they’re going to have to.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was it like playing under Stan Van Gundy, especially in those defensive-minded 4-guard lineups with Dwight Howard anchoring the paint?

Earl Clark:  I think the situation in Orlando with Stan… Stan loved me and he liked me but it was just for defense, man. And one thing that I do respect about Stan and other coaches is that he’s gonna tell you straight up. Even if it was Dwight, you know? And I’ve played with some coaches that DON’T coach and hold everybody accountable and I don’t think you can win like that. You can win some games but, I don’t think that you can win championships without even your best player —You should be able to go to him and say, Ay man! You’re messing up. You gotta tighten up! So for instance we’re playing OKC and we’re playing Kevin Durant. So I’m starting this game. He’s gonna give me some minutes. I might score three straight but as soon as KD comes out whatever the three minute mark of the first quarter, I’m coming out. Stan will be like, “I know you’re rolling offensively but I don’t care. I need you for defense. I don’t want you to get tired and when he comes into the game, I want you to come back.”  So for me, it’s frustrating because I’m trying to grow in the league; I’m working on my game and I’m trying to do different things and establish myself as a proven player. But in the NBA it’s all about jobs and that was my job. So I did it the best that I could. I played defense and it ended up working out. I just keep having to fight. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How did your experience playing for Stan Van Gundy prepare you for the very different style of coaching under Mike D’Antoni?

Earl Clark:  Two totally different guys! One cared about defense and one didn’t [laughing]. So it helped me on the offensive side because D’Antoni was run and gun. Shoot 3’s and I was able to get close outs and a couple iso’s when they doubled Kobe so it was just perfect for me, run and gun. I was able to play my game and even with D’Antoni, I didn’t have a resume when I went to L.A. so it was like, What does he do? He plays defense? Alright cool. But a few guys went down — I think like, seven guys got hurt and that forced his hand and I played so well that I ended up starting, you know? But they’re two totally different people though. Stan is a no nonsense guy; you’re gonna be in film for about 2-3 hours. Your shootaround is going to be taped… It’s two DIFFERENT coaches. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was Kyrie Irving like early in his career when you were teammates on the Cavaliers?

Earl Clark:  He was just a young dog, man. Like he was just amazing to watch and to see how skilled he was at that age and I’m asking him questions like, ‘How do you make those layups?’ and he showed me how he practiced and put the time in, but he’s another guy just a basketball genius. I think he’s misunderstood. A lot of people don’t get him and his ways; I think he likes to do stuff on his own timing, you know what I mean? He works well with doing stuff his own way and I think got that by just from around him, you know? But Kyrie’s a great player, man. A wizard. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: “Having been teammates with both Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving, how would you compare their work ethic and leadership styles?

Earl Clark: I think they’re similar with their work ethic and their love of hoops which means that they’re not just going to work out in the gym. They’re going to go home and watch film, they’re going to break down — I think Kobe’s a little bit more psycho when it comes to winning. Like, he can’t lose too many games, you know what I’m sayin’? And I’m not saying that Kyrie’s a loser or he likes losing but I think it affected him [Kobe] more, you know? I think Kobe’s a more vocal leader. When I was with Kyrie, he was younger trying to establish himself, get his deals, get and keep taking control of the team and keep building, you know? Because he was the head of the snake. So I think that was the difference between them. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Did you ever see Kobe lose his temper in practice or in games? What was that like?

Earl Clark: I mean, every day we competed in practice, you know? I was on the White Team with me, [Devin] Ebanks, Jordan Hill… and they are coming off a back-to-back [NBA Championship] but we didn’t care about that s---, we’re trying to get some minutes so, we’re going at them! And you know of course Kobe’s gonna go hard EVERY TIME! But it’s a few guys that are tired and tend to take days off. So one time in practice we beat them a few games and we’re talkin’ smack, you know what I’m sayin’? And he just flipped, bro! He ended practice, flipped the table and told everybody on his team, “We gotta tighten up! We can’t get better like this!” and he just left, you know what I’m sayin’? But it’s a LOT of times when he would just blow up, flip the table and just leave and practice is over, you know what I’m sayin’? That’s the thing that people get misunderstood about Kobe too is like that I’ve never been around Kobe where he’s been like, a  super jerk or talk down to his teammates. What he doesn’t like is soft guys. So if you’re not doing your job and he gets on you and you shy away and you curl up, he’s not really going to trust you in basketball games, you know what I’m sayin’? He wants to see who the dogs are so when it’s time to win and go out there and fight, he knows who can be out there with him. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You played for both the Knicks and the Nets — which New York area-team did you enjoy playing for more and why?

Earl Clark:  I would probably say the Nets because I was with the Nets longer. I just came back from China in the CBA and I signed with them on a 10-day and then I signed with them for the rest of the season. But I was coming in trying to find my way; they had already had an established team, we went into the playoffs — I think we lost to the Hawks in the first round but it was a good team. Everybody was great. We had Joe Johnson, my guy Thaddeus Young was on the team — we were in the same high school class so I hung out with them a little bit. The Knicks were kind of different. It was kind of like an AAU team! [laughing]  Some days we had practice, some days we won’t! We were losing games and I think the coach was on the way out, I think it was Mike Woodson but I had fun, man. I was on the team with J.R. [Smith], that’s my man and you know of course being close to home, but I think that they just wanted an extra player, you know? I didn’t get too many minutes and I played, but not really. And it was short. I think I did two 10-days with them but it was great because my dad is a Knicks fan, so it was great to bring him to the game. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve played with a lot of great players but never alongside LeBron James — did you ever get a chance to talk with him during a game?

Earl Clark:  I’ve played with a lot of great players. I’ve played against him. I talked to him one time in Cleveland and I had a great game and Mike Brown took me out for something and I came back in the game and LeBron said to me, “Why he take you out? You’re the one that had everything spread out stretching the floor…”  and it was a surreal moment for me and I told him, ‘I know man…’ But when I walked away I was like, ‘Bro! I just chopped it up with ‘Bron! I’m out here playing with him!’ Then you gotta check yourself and get back in mode, but surreal moments like that are priceless.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: When you played against LeBron during his Heat years, did you ever think he’d return to Cleveland after ‘The Decision’ in 2010?

Earl Clark: I thought it was irreparable. I didn’t see that coming. I mean, Miami they were so good — it’s Miami, you’re LeBron James… it’s your kingdom for real. So I thought he was going to stay there with D-Wade for the rest of his career but, then as time went on you started hearing things about Pat Riley and relations and things started going in the air but at that moment, I’m thinking they’re trying to go get 2 to 3 more championships. 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: When did you feel the pressure really pushed your game to the next level, and how did you adjust from high school to college and then to the NBA?

Earl Clark: I think it’s just like stages. When I came from high school to Louisville, I really didn’t know nothing. I was just a kid that goes outside and plays one on one all day or play AAU. Like, my high school was just like a regular high school. It’s not like a powerhouse — I was basically the coach. We did 3-Man Weaves and we played 5-on-5, you know what I’m sayin’? No breakdowns. I didn’t know the concepts of boxing out and setting screens so first practice they were saying, “Bro. This is not AAU. You can’t just get the ball and just go crazy. You gotta pass that. Set a screen!” So I had to figure that out. I had to figure out what Coach P wanted as far as not just scoring the ball offensively and throwing dimes but, I had to rebound and use my size and play some defense. Then I get to the NBA to where it’s like, I’m on a veteran ball club. I’m not playing and I’m getting DNP’s, I’m a lottery pick, I led rookies in non-minutes played… As a lottery pick, that was frustrating so I had to put my head down and stay in the gym and try to get better. Anytime I get, I try to play well. Even if it’s 2 minutes because if you just go out there and play bad, you’re giving them a reason for them to say, See? That’s why I’m not playing him… But along the way I had great teammates like Steve Nash, Amar’e, J-Rich… they gave me words of encouragement like, “Bro. You’re so good. It’s just the timing. We love the work that you’re putting in and just keep doing that, you’re gonna find your way. “   So I think every situation I’ve been in has just been pressure for me to get better. Even going to Europe. Now the game is different, you know? You gotta show up all the way in tip top shape for training camp. There is no working your way into shape. You gotta get your midrange right because  they can stay in the lane longer than three seconds, you know what I’m sayin’? You gotta learn how to live without your family. So I think that the different situations that I was in forced me to grow as a basketball player and as a man.  

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Which NBA players did you model your game after growing up, and who influenced your style the most?

Earl Clark: You know what’s crazy? I was such a huge Allen Iverson fanatic. I really thought I was AI. I used to go outside and cut holes in my sock and make a fake sleeve and my friends were like, “Bro! You’re tall as hell! You’re not a guard!” and I used to tell my little league coaches, ‘If I don’t play the point guard and wear number #3, I’m not playin’!’  And my dad was like, “That’s a bad attitude. You’re good but you gotta listen to the coach. You can still bring the ball up and play center and get it off the rim…” But I just patterned my game around him — I don’t play like him but, in my mind I did. I watched T-Mac. I watched Tim Thomas. I watched Kobe. I watched all of those guys but when I went outside and dribbled that ball, I was Allen Iverson in my head! [laughs] 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you had to pick an all-time starting five made up of New Jersey basketball players, who would be on your team?

Earl Clark:  [smiling] Man I’ma go with… That’s so hard, yo… I’ma go Kyrie at the one. There’s so many greats , even before my time… I’m gonna go J.R. Smith at the 2, I’ll play the 3. I’ma go KAT at the four. Five is too hard… I’m gonna go with Shaq! But leaving guys off like Tim Thomas and it’s so many great shooters, that’s a tough one but that’s the five so that’s what I’m gonna do but that was a lot of pressure though! [laughs] 

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you had to choose a 6th man for your all-time New Jersey basketball starting five, who would you pick?

Earl Clark:  I’m gonna go with Naz Reid. 

Earl Clark’s journey through basketball has been anything but ordinary. From his roots in New Jersey to the bright lights of the NBA and even overseas, he’s shown that persistence, adaptability, and heart can carry you through the toughest situations. Whether it was grinding for minutes on veteran teams, adjusting his game alongside legends like Kobe Bryant, or finding brotherhood in Orlando’s locker room, Clark’s story is a blueprint for how to stay ready and keep evolving no matter what.

What stands out most about Clark is his humility and honesty. He never shies away from speaking truth about the business side of basketball, the politics, and the challenges of carving out a niche in a league full of stars. But at the same time, he’s quick to celebrate his teammates, coaches, and the moments that shaped his career. His respect for the game and the people in it comes through in every story he shares — from late-night card games with Q-Rich to the unforgettable “Welcome to the NBA” moment with Kobe.

Clark also reminds us how important mental toughness is. Whether it was dealing with limited minutes, the pressure to perform every time he stepped on the court, or navigating the ever-changing roles coaches asked of him, he never lost sight of the bigger picture. His ability to adapt his game and mindset, like when he had to go from point guard in high school to a versatile forward in college and the pros, is a lesson for any athlete trying to make it at the highest level.

And while he may not have been the star on every team, Earl Clark’s impact can’t be measured just in points or minutes. He was the glue guy, the competitor who pushed his teammates and made those around him better. Playing alongside some of the game’s greats — Kobe, Kyrie, Amar’e, Dwight Howard — gave him a unique perspective on what it takes to be great, and he carries those lessons with him to this day.

At the end of the day, Earl Clark’s story is more than just basketball. It’s about resilience, growth, and finding your place — whether that’s in the NBA, overseas, or in life beyond the game. For Clark, being a Laker, a New Jersey guy, and a lifelong student of basketball means he’s always ready for what’s next. And if you ask him, he’s just getting started.