LA Lakers: Can Andrew Goudelock Shoot His Way into the Starting Lineup?

Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Andrew Goudelock will always be a scorer first, but apparently that mentality has earned him more minutes and praise from head coach Mike Brown.

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He's earned the right to continue to try to play. What you guys saw yesterday, I feel he's capable of doing. Right now in a night-in-and-night-out basis, maybe not. I don't know. But he has a skillset that allows him to score the basketball and be effective like the way he did.

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That quote from Brown was in reference to Goudelock's 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field in a tight win over the Clippers, and it may have served as his official welcome to the Lakers rotation.

But does it have to stop there?

Goudelock never played point guard in high school and he didn't man the position during any of his four seasons at the College of Charleston either, but his performance against the Clippers may have been the best of any Lakers point guard this season.

Goudelock looked calm and comfortable during his stints on the court, and unlike fellow rookie Darius Morris, Goudelock seemed to have an idea of what to do with the basketball.

And that was mainly shoot it. If Goudelock can string together a few more games like the one against the Clippers, he adds a new dimension to a team desperately searching for an identity at point guard.

Most of Goudelock's 14 points came from dribble penetration and short, pull-up jump shots, and the ability to penetrate an opposing defense off the dribble is something Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and Morris have been unable to do.

In fact, no Laker besides Kobe Bryant has shown much aptitude for dribble penetration, and the fact that Goudelock would rather shoot the ball than pass it once he does get is something that should improve with Brown's promise of more playing time.

Goudelock's talent extends beyond the three-point line, and his ability to fill it up from the perimeter is something opponents will have to respect, which makes him even more dangerous.

A point guard who can force defenders to crowd him far out on the perimeter also opens up the paint for the Lakers' big men to roam more freely. Even more headaches are caused when that same point guard can dribble around or through the defense.

Goudelock must still improve in other areas such as defense and particularly as a playmaker, because his impressive performance off the Lakers' bench doesn't diminish the point that he finished the Clippers game with zero assists.

As a rookie Goudelock is sure to endure some growing pains if his play continues to merit minutes from Brown, but his offensive talent will always be something Goudelock can rely on during rough stretches.

Goudelock did not come to the Lakers with the same name recognition as Morris, but he may have proved that he is already the better player right now.

If Goudelock can continue to play with the same heart and focus as he did against the Clippers, it may not be long before he is the Lakers' best point guard as well.