The 29-year-old shooting guard hasn't played since Feb. 22 and is done for the season after suffering a fractured knee cap. But watching from the sidelines isn't stopping him from making waves.
Not good waves, to be sure. Riffing on the perils of swimming among man-masticating dolphins is a different kind of swell. As are tales of sleep-farting.
Anecdotes like those, fact or fabrication, are welcome distractions as the Lakers finish up the worst season in franchise history. At his best, Young is comic relief amid dark times.
At his worst, he's sending unwarranted tidal waves throughout the organization.
Take the most recent beef between Young and head coach Byron Scott. The two have publicly been at odds for most of this season. Back when Young was recounting the time he eluded killer sea creatures, Scott interjected, fining him in front of the media for tardiness, per ESPN Los Angeles' Baxter Holmes.
That's the gist of their relationship thus far—one of a hard-nosed coach and free-spirited, authority-adverse player.
Which is why you just knew Scott's latest sentiments would not fly. Per the Long Beach Press-Telegram's Robert Morales:
His priorities have to be a little different. I consider Nick either a home run or a strikeout-type guy on the offensive end. Just like I told him, he has to elevate his game. He has to grow as a basketball player if he wants to continue to play in this league for a long time. He has to get better moving without the ball, being able to defend people a little bit better and be a better off-the-ball defender as well.
There are areas in his game that he has to improve. And if he doesn’t, there’s no telling what we’re going to do this year in the free-agent market. But if ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
