NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Coach Byron Scott Right To Criticize Nick Young

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By @pjacobosports

Nick Young Los Angeles Lakers

Gary A. Vasquez- USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Nick Young to a four-year, $21.5 million extension over the summer. They rewarded him because of his flamboyant personality and strong play. He immediately became a fan favorite in Los Angeles, averaging 17 points off the bench.

This season he started the year on the disabled list due to a training camp injury. Once healthy, Swaggy P put on some nice offensive scoring displays. His numbers are down due in part to Kobe Bryant’s return to the lineup. Young has scored 16 points or more in 12 out of the 28 games he’s played in.

In his seven-year career, Young is known around the league as a volume scorer. Career-wise he shoots a respectable 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

Lately he’s been in a terrible shooting slump. Young (2-for-11) struggled again in the 78-75 loss to the Miami Heat. In the past four games he’s shooting a dismal 23 percent from inside the arc and an embarrassing 13 percent from the three-point line. He’s way off his scoring average of 14.3 points a game. Furthermore, since he knocked down the game-winning shot against the San Antonio Spurs, he’s gone 59-of-173 (34 percent) from the field.

Swaggy P has temporarily lost his swag, and head coach Byron Scott is well aware of these shooting woes. He pointed out that Young needs to tweak his game a bit to contribute to the team.

He told the L.A. Daily News: “When his shot is not falling, you have to rebound. You have to do other things to get yourself involved. Every shot he misses is the end of the world right now to him. You have to get away from that and keep playing hard and do other things to help the team to get better.”

Coach Scott is on point in his assessment. Young has the moves to create his own shot whenever he wants, and he is averaging just two boards and one assist a game. Standing 6-foot-7, he can bring much more to the table. Young is a fantastic dribbler, thus he can create opportunities for his teammates.

Scoring is not the only way to contribute to the team. A 36-year-old Bryant is averaging five boards a game. The Lakers are far from being considered a defensive team, but rebounding is a key factor in defense. Limiting the opposition’s second chances means increased ball possession for the offense.

Bryant has missed a total of six games this season due to rest. Look for that trend to continue with the Black Mamba as the season progresses. This is Young’s opportunity to seize the moment. Swaggy P is only playing 24 minutes this season as opposed to 28 minutes last year. With Kobe taking time off, Young’s playing time will increase.

Young should use this time to be more aggressive and drive to the basket every opportunity he gets. He is making 91 percent of his free throws this year. Coming into Tuesday night’s game he had made 25 straight baskets from the charity stripe while averaging 3.4 trips to the line. He’s falling in love with his jump shot. Young has the ability and jukes to get around his defender and attack the basket. He will eventually find his stroke again and getting to the line will help.

The 30-year-old Young has an excellent chance to become a better all-around player. The Lakers have confidence in him, hence the extension, but Swaggy P has to repay that confidence by maximizing his opportunity. The Lakers invested in the former USC product for the future, and now it’s on Young to deliver.

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

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