Swaggy Factor: How Nick Young Really Impacts the Lakers
By Scott Asai
Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) celebrates after making a basket during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Swaggy Factor: Lakers are 4 – 4 with Nick Young in the lineup.
The Lakers would have to go on quite a run to be in playoff contention, but regardless of who they’ve played a .500 winning percentage with Swaggy versus .100 (1 – 9) without Swaggy in the lineup is a huge improvement.
Statistically Young averages 14.1 points per game while shooting 40% from the 3-point line. But his impact is much deeper than that. In Lakers wins, Swaggy averages 8 more points than in losses and with the Lakers -6.9 point differential that equates to a 1 point victory.
Team Morale exponentially increases with Swaggy active in the lineup. Just watch one of the post-game interviews and his rapport with Jordan Hill is comical. When Wes Johnson makes a big play he finds Young first for a congratulatory chest bump. Even Kobe becomes more animated on the court after a big shot by Swaggy. If positivity is contagious, Young is the catalyst. As a fan it’s hard not to love his charisma, even if you’re conservative because when he’s showboating it usually means the Lakers are winning. Winning matters most, but Swaggy’s antics entertain peers and fans alike.
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Swaggy is Kobe’s Wingman. Shaq needed Kobe. Kobe needed Pau. Kobe trusts Swaggy to not only make big plays, but be in position to make the big plays. Emotions aside, Young is a fierce competitor. With a personality more like Dwight Howard, than the Black Mamba, Swaggy proves you can be an assassin with a smile on your face. During Kobe’s Achilles and knee injury it was Young soaking up basketball wisdom from Professor Bryant on the bench. Swaggy is proof you can flaunt it as long as your game can back it up. Young performs during the games because he puts in the work before and after them. You don’t earn Kobe’s trust simply on charisma alone. You earn it by the results you produce.
Who knows where the Lakers could be if Swaggy started the season healthy? They might be a .500 team right now. That’s neither here nor there, but based on the evidence above it makes you wonder. Swaggy’s impact on the Lakers is undeniable. He is the Lakers X-Factor.