Despite being self-proclaimed as healthy and able to play, Lakers guard Nick Young was left on the bench with a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coaches Decision) on Sunday against the Knicks. After the game, he voiced his disappointment with the decision.
NYoung on how things are between he and BScott: "I don't know. I really dont know."
— janis carr (@janiscarr) February 1, 2015
Nick Young said he was healthy enough to play, isn't sure why Byron held him out. Was upset, uncertain about his relationship with Byron.
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) February 1, 2015
For the Lakers, despite the losses having piled up on the season, the locker room has remained a relatively jovial place. For all the questionable decisions he’s made, Byron Scott hadn’t lost his players….yet.
These comments by Young certainly are going to raise some eyebrows. Despite being one of the more up-beat personalities not only on the Lakers but in the NBA, Young certainly seems like he’s none-too-happy with Scott’s decision to leave him on the bench.
The injury that originally forced Young to the bench was a sprained ankle sustained in practice. After sitting out a small handful of games, Young was declared healthy today and able to play. Scott, however, told reporters prior to the game that he’d prefer Young (and teammate Tarik Black, who was in a similar situation) to get practice reps before playing and both would only be available in an emergency situation. Black saw time following the injury to Jordan Hill, but Young was strapped to the bench.
Tensions are also high between the two as the last action Swaggy P saw on the court in the game against the Houston Rockets saw him benched for the second half following what Scott considered a poor effort defensively, something that did not sit well with Young as he left the locker room that night without speaking to reporters.
Considering both the contract Young recently signed and his emotional impact on the team, having him upset at the head coach is not destined to be a good sign. Whether or not this escalates into something bigger is yet to be seen, but for the sake of an already struggling franchise, let’s hope Young and Scott are able to squash their beef.