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Los Angeles Lakers: Nick Young Bouncing Back

By Chris Walton

October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The summer featured lots of whispers about where Nick Young would play basketball this season. Despite being under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was the hot topic of trade talk after an abysmal season last year. Throughout his career, Swaggy P has made a career of providing instant offense and charisma.

Both contributions were lacking, and nowhere to be found his repertoire. The 36.6 percent shooting was the worst of Young’s career. When Swaggy’s shot is falling, we all know how that affects his sky-high confidence.

Injury, change of system, and a few personal bumps in the road all contributed to a rough tenure under head coach Byron Scott.

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With Scott’s old school approach to the game combined with Young’s free-spirited nature, the two were on a collision course in Los Angeles. Rather than strangle Young, Scott challenged him to show up this season and be a contributing factor for their bench. Thus far, Young has done pretty damn well for himself.

Would you believe a complete stranger if they told you that Nick Young led an NBA team in Player Efficiency Rating (19.1)? I surely would not, and I would want to drug test you immediately for telling me such preposterous things. Despite what I have assumed, Nick Young has been an efficient force for the Lakers.

Just how efficient has Young been? Well he’s currently matching his career-high in shooting at 43.9 percent, and is 44.4 percent from three-point range (career-high). Contrary to popular belief, his role as a bench scorer has been more pleasant than reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams.

Williams is comparably shooting 19.5 percent from three-point range and 31.8 percent from the field.

What this means for Young is that his role should stay consistent going forward. As long as he scores efficiently and gives effort on the defensive end, Scott will honor his minutes. At this point in his career, that’s all that Young can desire. He’s been his most productive as a Laker, so the trend can continue.

The thing that Young can’t do is repeat his Friday night performance in the Lakers’ 90-82 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He went scoreless (0-for-4) in 16 minutes. Plays like this can’t be duplicated either:

Yiiiiiiiiiiiiikesssss! Let’s get back to the good that Young has going for himself…

With all the good fortune during Young’s first nine games, his play does wonders for his trade value. The market is bound to be revisited by the Lakers when February arrives. It’s not necessarily the end of Nick Young’s days in Los Angeles, but again, he offers a valuable niche to NBA teams. At any moment, Young could heat up and shoot a team into any game.

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Contenders should keep their eyes in Los Angeles, for personnel reasons. Fans would hate to see Young go, but if it means extracting some nice pieces for the future, or maybe a draft pick, they’d take the loss in stride.

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