8 Weeks Without Nick Young Complicates the Rotation

Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Adversity never comes through the front door, it enters through the back; it arrives unexpectedly. And so it is again for the Los Angeles Lakers, a left hook to the chin. Yesterday, Nick Young tore a ligament in his thumb so badly he needs to have it surgically repaired. He was injured guarding Kobe Bryant in a 5-on-5 scrimmage. He was trying to steal the ball when he mangled his thumb, which, of course, is ironic. The player accused of laziness on defense injuries himself by playing defense. Surgery is scheduled for Monday. Recovery is expected to take 8 weeks.

In constructing the roster, Byron Scott had intended to use Nick Young with the second unit. He valued Nick’s presence on the floor as a shot maker and considered him a competitor for Sixth Man of the Year. The thinking was simple enough- with Kobe or Nick on the court the Lakers would always have a scoring leader on the floor.

Nick Young’s love for shooting the ball is near pathological. His fadeaway and three point shot attest to the manner in which he likes to work his way through games. His confidence on the court was a practical way the Lakers could cut back Kobe’s minutes and not suffer offensively.

But Nick’s injury erases so many things. Gone, is the go-to-scorer when everything else breaks down. Gone, is the person who has no fear. Gone, is the scorer who makes shots in odd combinations and in the craziest of ways and then celebrates himself. Gone, is the local kid who grew up loving the team whose jersey he now wears with joy.

In the interim, the Lakers have options, none of which will replace the scoring talent that Nick brings with his three point shooting, off balance jumpers, and frenetic energy. There is no replacement for his bright personality and flair for the dramatic, the entertainer on the floor. But in basketball terms, scoring, defense, rebounding, the Lakers have options.

One option is Wayne Ellington who is still fighting for a roster spot. He is the direct beneficiary of Nick Young’s injury because he is a veteran who can fill in for Nick, playing the small forward position. Yes, he lacks Nick’s athleticism and egoism and sensationalism, but Ellington is a solid three point shooter and is a more willing defender than Nick. He plays hard in a Jodie Meeks kind of way. To his benefit, having had Byron Scott as a coach erases a learning curve. He is not just familiar with the offense, he is familiar with Byron’s disciplinary nature. With Ellington on the court the ball will move to the open man and not stick on one side of the floor. He moves without the ball himself and is a solid three point shooter.

Xavier Henry is another option. Last year he gave glimpses of his athleticism and drive but he has had a hard time staying healthy. He isn’t healthy now. Back spasms derailed what was supposed to be his first training camp practice. He is coming off of knee surgery and, as expected, his progress is of incremental steps. It may be a while before he is 100%. Even then, he has to get into the type of shape that is required for a Byron Scott offense and defense.

Apr 16, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Clarkson, who has performed well at camp so far and has earned praise from Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Byron Scott, will have the inside track to be Kobe Bryant’s backup. Jordan is a multi-dimensional talent. He can score from the outside and create his own shot and get to the rim. His innate feel for scoring will be interwoven with his lack of experience. Exhibition games will be his proving ground. Can he handle the responsibility of the shooting guard position as a rookie?

Just yesterday, Kobe Bryant spoke of how important Nick Young is to the Lakers success. Beneath the veneer of his happy go lucky persona, Nick wants to live up to the confidence Kobe has in him. Nick was having a great camp. It’s cruel how sports evolves: it rains on the just and the unjust. But Nick will be back in December, ready and determined for his Swaggy P debut.

As for the rest of the team? It’s next man up.