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Lakers: 2016-17 Midseason Awards

By Christian Rivas

Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (left) and guard Jordan Clarkson (right) warm up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (left) and guard Jordan Clarkson (right) warm up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Most Improved Player: Nick Young

Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

If someone came up to me around this time last year and told me “Nick Young is going to start at shooting guard for the Lakers next season,” I would have laughed in their face. Not just a “ha ha” laugh, but like a real loud, hardy sailors laugh. Seriously. There was a better chance of me being the starting shooting guard for the Lakers this time last year.

Yet on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets, Young led the Lakers in scoring with 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting to snap the team’s three-game losing streak. He also ended the game with the highest Box Plus/Minus (+23) of anyone on the floor. In other words, just another day at the office for Swaggy P. That’s how good he’s been this season, folks.

He’s not only the Lakers’ best three-point shooter, but he’s one of the best shooters in the league. Of players attempting more than 6.5 three-pointers per game, Young is second in the NBA in three-point percentage ahead of sharpshooters like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, Kevin Love, etc. The list goes on.

However, it’s no coincidence that he’s doing well the year he can opt out of his contract. Young’s sweet shooting will get him paid this summer, it’s just not likely the Lakers will be the ones to empty their pockets. Enjoy the Swaggy P era in Los Angeles while you can.

Honorable mention: D’Angelo Russell

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