Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Young Is Shooting Flames for Los Angeles
Some feel Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young chucks shots, makes poor decisions with the ball, and is a goof each time he takes the floor. Sure—at times—this is true, but then there’s the Nick Young that once averaged 17.9 points per game in 2013-14 who could catch fire with ease.
Nick Young hasn’t been Nick Young over Los Angeles’ previous nine games, he’s been “Swaggy P”–a player with movie star arrogance who is everyone’s favorite because of his actions on the court.
Young has knocked down 42 three-pointers over a nine-game span; a new Los Angeles Lakers record. Last night, Young added six more three-pointers on eleven attempts finishing with 20 points in the Lakers’ 116-102 victory over Memphis. The most exciting three-pointer of them all came in the 2nd quarter when Young scored from straight on and proceeded to shimmy and thrust back-and-forth in the most “Swaggy P” way possible. It was awesome. The event electrified the crowd as well as his team.
After Tuesday’s win over Memphis, Nick Young revealed why he has been so hot… once again, in a way only “Swaggy P” could describe. “It’s the Draco Soulja Effect,” he said, “and we just playing some ball and having fun and enjoying the game.”
Young has been on an absolute tear in 2016-17 and is having his most efficient season yet. He is shooting 44.9% from downtown, 47.7% from the field, and 85.5% from the free-throw line while in the midst of a career-best 17.3 PER. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Young is producing a team-best 127 Los Angeles Lakers points per 100 possessions—the most in his career. He is doing all of this while leading the second unit.
Young, along with the exciting 2016-17 Lakers team, have been pure entertainment with their stellar play as of late. Though they currently stand at 12th in the Western Conference with a 13-25 record, the young bucks in Los Angeles are coming together quicker than ever. With Young shakin’ and bakin’ from three, Lou Williams putting up consistent scoring numbers, and the young trio of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson gaining basketball knowledge and confidence, there is tremendous hope for the future.
If Nick Young continues his sharp shooting all season, his stock will rise if he declines his player option and becomes a free-agent. Young—whose player option is worth $5.6 million—has made it known he enjoys the spotlight in Los Angeles; maybe he’ll test free-agency to have the Lakers offer him more cash. Money talks. Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers must strike first and attempt to lure him back to Los Angeles.
