Nick Young had a career year last season averaging 17 points a game, shooting 45%. This year, his numbers have fallen way off. What’s happened to Nick?
In the off-season, Nick Young’s most pressing concern was a new contract. For two straight seasons, he played on one year deals, first in Philadelphia and then for the Lakers.
In Philadelphia, it was a disaster from beginning to end. Tightly controlled by the overbearing Doug Collins, Nick wasn’t allowed to be himself and towards the end he found himself out of the rotation entirely. The next year he signed with the Lakers. The fast paced offense of Mike D’antoni was a perfect match for Nick’s shooting guard persona. D’antoni didn’t punish. He didn’t hold players accountable- if you made a mistake, you made a mistake. D’antoni wanted players to have freedom out on the court, not to have burdens.
Jan 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) in the first half of the game against the Orlando Magic at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
With D’antoni coaching him and not disciplining him, Nick Young had an incredible season, career highs in scoring, free throws, two point shots, three point shots. More offense was expected in 2014-15.
But, to everyone’s surprise, Nick Young is struggling to do the ordinary Nick Young thing which is to make shots. He is shooting 37%, the same percentage as Kobe Bryant, a 36 year old who has had two major injuries and rarely plays these days. Nick Young is only 29 years old. He is in his basketball prime.
Wiz of Awes
Against Orlando, Nick Young shot 15% and missed all six of his three point shots. Against the Clippers, he shot 26%. Against Portland, he shot 23%. That three game stretch wasn’t an isolated frame of mediocrity. Late last month, (Golden State, Chicago and Dallas), Nick played three games, missed 24 shots, shot 31%. Two weeks earlier, he had a three game stretch, (Boston, New Orleans, Sacramento). He was 13-40.
None of this is much of a surprise; he started out this way. In his third, fourth and fifth games of the season he was 8-33, 24%. In 66% of the games Nick Young has played this year, he has made 5 shots or less.
He is shooting a career low on two point shots, 35%. (His career average is 44%). From 3-10 feet he is shooting, 5%. From 10-15 feet, he is shooting 26%. His long two point shots go in 38% of the time.
Last year he made 46% of his two point shots, 39% from 3-10 feet and 40% from midrange. So what’s happened?
Personnel: Last year, the Lakers had two outstanding shooters (Jodie Meeks, Nick Young). Jodie Meeks shot 40% from three. Jodie added a dribble drive to his game and he and Nick were threats from behind the arc and in the lane, spacing the court for open shots and both were willing to pass the ball. That level of offensive consistency no longer exists. Jeremy Lin makes shots but not enough that defenses fear him making them. Same with Wayne Ellington, Ronnie Price and Wesley Johnson. So in a way, Nick is out there all by himself, the Lakers lone shooter on an island, receiving every bit of the defense’s attention.
Dec 21, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts after a basket and foul against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Desire: Professional sports is nothing more than achievement under stress. The Detroit Pistons are a perfect example. The owner ate a guaranteed contract, got rid of a player, so the sense of urgency to play to your potential is heightened knowing the owner may get fed up and fire you. The same can be said of Nick Young. He wanted a long term deal and to get it he had to put up numbers. Nick celebrates his one dimension and last year he was efficient, 46% on two point shots, 38% on three point shots. This year, contract signed, pressure off, the numbers are not the same. 35% two point shots, 40% three point shots.
Coaching: There is nothing about Byron Scott that reminds anyone of Mike D’antoni. Temperamentally, the two men are as far apart as the ocean is to a rock. D’antoni remembers what it was like to have the coach constantly on you; he hated it. Byron remembers it too but he loved it. So, they approach the profession from different angles, D’antoni with affection and Bryon with discipline.
Nick Young was a favorite of Mike D’antoni. He constantly referred to him as a “joy”. Byron, rare to give out compliments, tough all of the time, appreciates Nick’s level of enthusiasm but is candid about his flaws and his defensive lapses.
At the start of last season, Bill Simmons (ESPN), on his podcast, joked with Jalen Rose: how many games before Kobe Bryant kills Nick Young? Jalen laughed because it was hard to imagine the two together, one a perfectionist who takes basketball seriously, and the other an entertainer who takes basketball casually. The funny thing is, Kobe hasn’t had to kill Nick Young, not really, not this season in particular. It’s out of his hands.
Because Nick Young is killing Nick Young.