NEW ORLEANS – In his own unique way, Lakers veteran Nick Young reflected on his resurgent season while blending in some commentary on the turmoil of the past few years.
When the NBA hosts its 3-point shooting contest as part of All-Star Weekend on Saturday at Smoothie King Center, Young will become the third Lakers player to participate in the event after Byron Scott (1987, 1988) and Michael Cooper (1987). Young didn’t miss an opportunity to take a jab at the former Lakers coach, who he frequently clashed with over playing time and public criticisms.
“I might pick Cooper’s brain,” Young said of his contest preparation. “But I don’t know if Byron would tell me the right thing to do.”
The reason for Young’s dig is obvious. He averaged 10.4 points per game on 35 percent shooting over the previous two seasons, much of which he spent in Scott’s doghouse. Even after Scott was fired in April, many believed the Lakers would trade or waive Young before the 2016-17 season. Young used the speculation as “a lot of motivation” to train extensively during the summer hoping he could reshape his future.
Young has rewarded the Lakers for keeping him by averaging 13.8 points and shooting a career-high 41.3 percent from 3-point range. A delayed flight kept Young from basking further in his latest achievement during media availability on Friday, but it’s clear he feels somewhat vindicated. Earlier this week, he largely credited the support of Lakers coach Luke Walton for his being asked to participate in NBA All-Star Weekend for the first time in his 10th NBA season.
“With having a coach behind me, I don’t have to look over my shoulder or worry about coming out. That plays a major part,” said the 31-year-old Young, who grew up a Lakers fan and attended championship parades while starring at Cleveland High of Reseda and USC. “It messes up with your whole cycle when you have a coach who harps on everything you do and talks so down on you. It was tough.”
Walton has resisted taking credit for Young’s resurgence.
“Nick’s a really good guy; he really is. So whenever you see someone like that who has put in the time and really took advantage of his second, third chance or maybe his last chance and see him having the success he’s having …” Walton said, trailing off. “As far as being a coach, that is not what is most important. But the big part of the rewards is watching the players have success and enjoy that success.”
Nonetheless, Young and his teammates offered real and imagined explanations for his comeback season.
After praising Young for making what he called “tough shots,” second-year Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell echoed Young’s belief that he has benefited from Walton’s offensive system that puts more emphasis on passing, floor spacing and 3-point shooting. Walton added Young “has done a good job of accepting that challenge” to become a complete player by studying film, something that does not fit Young’s “Swaggy P” persona.
“They are focusing on my 3-pointers so much, so I have to figure out how to get shots off. That’s been a major key,” Young said of his film study. “You have a coach that tells me he’s going to put me on tough defensive assignments. So I have to go out there and try to prove that he’s not wrong.”
Young, who is bringing his parents to New Orleans, hasn’t abandoned the goofy side of his personality, though.
He joked he “almost had a divorce” with the rim over his previous shooting slumps before teammate Jordan Clarkson apparently mediated.
“We had them sit down in the room and talk it out,” Clarkson said. “Nick and the rim were going through a tough time, so he and the rim came to me. I told the rim to open up.”
Young jokingly called Clarkson “a rim counselor” for his therapeutic help. If Young wins the 3-point contest, he might thank Clarkson for another reason.
So Young could sharpen his rhythm, timing and shooting accuracy before the 3-point contest, Clarkson moved a rack of basketballs around the court during a practice last week in New York. To become what Young considered “the best rack mover,” Clarkson joked he worked in extra push-ups with the Lakers’ training staff to prepare for his recent assignment.
“I got my money on Nick with all the time he put in,” Clarkson said. “He worked hard on it.”
Because of that preparation, Young said he feels “confident” he will win the 3-point contest against a field that includes Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Portland’s C.J. McCollum, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Houston’s Eric Gordon and Dallas’ Wes Matthews.
“If you were a betting man and the odds were 8-to-1 on me,” Young said, “you should bet on me.”
Young is less certain about his future.
The Lakers tried trading Young the past two seasons because of his ineffective play. He’s nearing the end of his contract – he has one year remaining on it if he does not opt out – so the trade speculation has resumed. Leading into Thursday’s deadline, the Lakers could look to deal the veteran, who represents one of the few assets they might be willing to part with during a rebuilding season.
“It’s better when you know you’re wanted,” Young said. “I’ll be all right. We’ll see what happens. I’ve been hearing this forever. It’s either stay home or hopefully go to somebody that’s making a push to the playoffs.”
For now, Young is going to push to leave his mark on All-Star Weekend.
“The main thing is not to get distracted by the lights,” Young said. “It is All-Star Weekend and a lot of people there. But it’s everyday in the park.”
Contact the writer: mmedina@scng.com
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