Nick Young calls right ankle “sore,” but hopes to play Sunday vs. Clippers

Pain still lingers in his mildly sprained right ankle and even the fracture and bone bruise in his left knee that sidelined him for 16 games.

Those ailments, coupled with frustration stemmed from the Lakers’ 107-95 loss Friday to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center, still did not sour Young’s optimism that he will suit up Sunday against the Clippers in a designated road game at the same arena,

“I hope so,” Young said, who plans to receive treatment on Saturday on his ankle and knee. “We’ll see.”

Young appeared to experience a scare after grabbing a defensive rebound and landing on his ankle awkwardly with 7:04 left in the fourth quarter. Shortly afterwards, Young limped to the locker room with Lakers trainer Gary Vitti. But after getting taped, Young returned to the bench three minutes later.

Young, who scored 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting, did not reappear in the game, but he kept his spirits enough to hide a laugh while holding up a towel. It turns out Young’s jovial personality has also covered up the pain he has felt in his left knee, a development that has kept the Lakers’ training room way too busy. The Lakers already have injuries to Kobe Bryant (fractured left knee), Pau Gasol (vertigo), Xavier Henry (bone bruise in right knee, torn ligament in left wrist), Chris Kaman (strained right calf) and Jordan Farmar (strained right groin).

“It’s tough. It’s been like this all season. Everybody is getting hurt. It’s just tough,” Young said. “You want to end the season on a good note. We only have six games left. I think we’re all trying to manage. A lot of people are hurt. We’re just trying to play through everything.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Nick Young’s agent insists client has not decided if he will test free agency this offseason

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kendall Marshall, right, tries to calm teammate Nick Young after Young was called for a technical foul during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 107-102. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kendall Marshall, right, tries to calm teammate Nick Young after Young was called for a technical foul during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 107-102. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

The acrobatic shots, funny one-liners and eclectic fashion accessories Nick Young shows off may only last two more weeks.

That’s because the Lakers have expected Young will opt out of his $1.2 million player option that will make him a free agent this offseason, leaving open the possibility he could attract more lucrative offers from other teams that the Lakers won’t match. Despite Young recently conceding to NBA.com that he believes he’s worth more than his current salary and that he would like for other teams to pursue him this offseason, his agent told this newspaper that it remains presumptuous whether his client will opt out of his contract.

“It’s obvious what Nick’s value is, but I don’t want to get into that right now,” said Mark Bertelstein, Young’s agent. “He wants to finish the season strong. It’s hard if someone comes up and asks him these questions. We’re not proactively worrying about next year right now. We’re worrying about the moment. He’s done a great job of that and that’s what we want to continue to do. I couldn’t be prouder of the guy. He’s had a great year. We have a couple of weeks left in the season. If Nick is asked those questions, he’s in a tough spot. But Nick’s energy and focus is without question playing the games right now.”

The Lakers love Young for a variety of reasons.

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni raves about Young’s shot-creating that has led to an average of 17.8 points per game, a stronger commitment to defense. He also posted 40 points Tuesday against Portland, three points shy of his career-high, recently after missing 16 games because of a fracture and bone bruise in his left knee. Teammates like his talent and playful personality. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss also loves Young’s charisma, believing it matches the glitz and glamour that the franchise personifies. But what about Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss?

Kupchak has said he hopes to keep Young, but predicted two months ago that Young would opt out of his contract, which could compromise the Lakers’ hope to maintain financial flexibility. Bartelstein reiterated his stance that he said then that Young’s options remain open.

“We’re going to finish the season and then take a deep breath,” Bartelstein said. “His focus is on doing everything he can to finish as strongly as possible. It’s been a disappointing season from a team standpoint in terms of winning games. But he wants to finish strong for the team. He loves being a Laker. I think it’s obvious in the way he’s playing and the energy he brings every night. When the season is over, we’ll sit down and talk about those things at that time.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Nick Young mistakenly celebrates missed shot in Lakers’ win over Knicks

The ball felt good as Nick Young released it out his hands. The ball appeared to roll into the basket. So as he has done so many times before this season, Young held up his hands in celebration after it appeared he made a clutch shot.

Except this time, Young didn’t. Instead, he got robbed and we’re not talking about the $100,000 worth of goods stolen from his home earlier this week. The ball popped in and out of the basket. The 18,997 fans at Staples Center did not cheer. Confused over the apathy, Young turned around and realized what happened. And once it all ended, the sequence appeared on TNT’s “Shaqtin a Fool.”

But no matter.

THe Lakers’ 127-96 victory Tuesday over the New York Knicks still featured Young scoring 20 points in 18 minutes that also included a four-point play. But considering Young’s playful chirping in the locker room, it seems almost guaranteed his teammates are reminding him of this play again and again.

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Nick Young on house burglarly: “I’m shocked they tried to get Swaggy”

Lakers' Nick Young uses his fingers to indicate 3 points after he made a clutch 3 point play late in the fourth period against the Magic at Staples Center Sunday, March 23, 2014.  Laker defeated the Orlando Magic 103-94. (Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News)

Lakers’ Nick Young uses his fingers to indicate 3 points after he made a clutch 3 point play late in the fourth period against the Magic at Staples Center Sunday, March 23, 2014. Laker defeated the Orlando Magic 103-94. (Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News)

Nick Young sauntered out of the Lakers’ locker room Sunday sporting his bright smile, his energy stemmed from a rare victory, a breakout game and his positive demeanor.

But that soon evaporated once he arrived at his Sherman Oaks residence. Young discovered that his house was broken into and that about $100,000 worth of goods were stolen. That included jewelry, computers, luggage and various shoes that included his recent prized possession.

“They got me. They stole my Yeezy’s,” said Young, referring to the Red October Nike Air Yeezy’s 2 that he says is worth $6,000, an item he acquired for free because of a contract with Nike. “I wasn’t expecting that. It was tough to get in after a good win to come home to that.”

Young said he immediately knew he was robbed after seeing his window was broken and clothes were scattered all over his floor. Young then phoned his mother and police around 2 a.m. Young reported authorities did not arrive until 4 or 5 a.m. while he stayed at a nearby hotel.

Young sounded relieved the burglars were not at his property when he arrived home.

“I’m glad I didn’t have to be in that situation,” Young said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m shocked they tried to get Swaggy.”

Young still has a list full of logistics to sort out. He plans to follow up with law enforcement officials. Young will change his locks and fix his windows. He also joked he may buy a guard dog, his spirits surprisingly high through the circumstances.

“I’m shocked they’ve gone into my house. It didn’t hit me until this morning,” Young said. “I woke up and I saw it everywhere. I started thinking about all the things they took. But teammates have been cracking jokes about it all day. They got me cheered up.”

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Nick Young calls Drew Gooden’s scuffle “uncalled for”

As the losses keep mounting and the Lakers continue to reach their mark as possibly the worst team in franchise history, they are still searching for small slivers of growth in all places imaginable.

How will a young roster destined for free agency turn out? How much effort will they put in regardless of the circumstances. And as demonstrated in the Lakers’ 117-107 loss Friday to the Washington Wizards at Staples Center, how much will the Lakers show willingness to stick up for each other?

Well, in the case of standing up for Nick Young, a lot.

Two months after Young called out teammates for coming to his aid during an altercation in Phoenix, the Lakers forward discovered both Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill coming to his rescue. With 2:14 left in the fourth quarter, Young went up for a shot only to have his arm locked with Washington forward Drew Gooden. He continued to lock him up, a serious incident that could have separated Young’s shoulder.

“It was uncalled for,” Young said. “I felt like he was trying to WWF me and flip me over.”

So, Young stepped toward Gooden and pushed him while he was on the ground. Gasol immediately wrapped up Young and moved him away from the fray. With Wizards center Marcin Gortat trying to intervene, Hill charged like a linebacker before wrapping him up too.

Officials both ejected Gortat for a flagrant foul type 2 and Hill for a technical foul, while Young stayed in the game with only a technical.

“Jordan can’t go in and do that. But it is what it is,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “There’s ways you do it. You can’t go in and escalate it. You need to protect your guys. Mostly it’s a hold and grab so nobody gets hurt. The referees sorted it out. Some guys get rambunctious. It happens.”
Continue reading “Nick Young calls Drew Gooden’s scuffle “uncalled for”” »

Steve Nash to play as a reserve vs. Washington

Lakers' Steve Nash (10) eludes Jazz's Trey Burke (3) as he drives to the key in a NBA Western Conference basketball game at the Staples Center Tuesday, February 11, 2014, Los Angeles, CA.  After a sizable lead, the Lakers trailed at halftime 48-37. Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze

Lakers’ Steve Nash (10) eludes Jazz’s Trey Burke (3) as he drives to the key in a NBA Western Conference basketball game at the Staples Center Tuesday, February 11, 2014, Los Angeles, CA. After a sizable lead, the Lakers trailed at halftime 48-37.
Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze

Among Steve Nash’s two-time MVP’s and fourth place standing on the NBA’s all-time assists leaders, here’s one number that won’t become part of his resume during his eventual induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Nash will make his 161st appearance out of 1,213 games as a reserve when the Lakers (22-45) host the Washington Wizards (35-33) tonight at Staples Center. The Lakers originally shut him down last week because of nerve irritation in his back and hamstrings that sidelined him for all but 10 games. But the Lakers have only one healthy point guard in Kendall Marshall after Jordan Farmar strained his right groin this week, an injury that will keep him out for at least two weeks.

“I don’t know how much I can play and be available,” Nash said. “But if I can help out of the bullpen, it’ll be fun for me.”

D’Antoni envisions playing Nash about five to six minutes each half behind Marshall. The Lakers are mindful Nash hasn’t played since Feb. 11, has only progressed toward full non-contact practices and could face additional setbacks with his health. After playing the first six games, Nash rehabbed for three months and made only four more appearances before a collision with Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich disrupted the nerves in his left leg, which was fractured last season and sidelined him for 24 games.

“That’s a really difficult thing for me to do when I play,” Nash said. “I forget all about that stuff. It’s adrenaline and I don’t really even think about contact. If I get hit again, I get hit again, I’ll be pretty unlucky. But I don’t think about it.”

The Lakers have other injuries to monitor beyond Nash.

Nick Young and Jordan Hill are expected to play after nursing knee injuries in recent weeks. Wesley Johnson will sit out because of an upper respiratory infection. D’Antoni said he plans to start Kent Bazemore at small forward while featuring Robert Sacre at power forward and Pau Gasol at center after experimenting with that combination in the Lakers’ loss Wednesday against San Antonio.

But plenty of intrigue surrounds Nash’s return because of the unexpected circumstances.

“It’s a big step to take a two-time MVP and say you come off the bench to help a team that’s win 1-85,” D’Antoni said. “Since he hasn’t’ practice and done a lot and we want to be cautious, not starting him makes sense.”

Nash has become well respected in NBA circles, including the Lakers, for his work ethic, sharp passing and pleasant personality. But he’s become a divisive figure among Laker fans. Nash has averaged 7.6 points on 36 percent shooting and 4.7 assists through 10 games, the minimum amount of games needed to prevent a medical retirement. Nash could not opt for a medical retirement, however, unless an NBA appointed physician determined he wasn’t fit to play. Nash also conceded in his recent video series with Grantland that he wants to play in the 2014-15 season in part so he could earn the $9.7 million owed to him in his final year of his contract.

“I think anyone who has some sort of critical thinking ability in the situation would think, ‘Who wouldn’t?’ It is a contract and we fight for every five, six , seven, eight years to hold on to guaranteed contracts in our business,” Nash said. “I came here with the highest of hopes, broke my leg playing here and I think people respect the fact that’s honest. Anyone who wouldn’t say that is not trustworthy.”

Still, Nash maintained that even amid two injury plagued seasons with the Lakers, he has embraced the experience.

“A lot of fans are really supportive of what I went through,” Nash said. “Of course the ones with a negative perspective have a lot of voices. But I’ve had an unbelievable time here and incredible support from the majority of fans. I don’t know hw yit would be any different.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Nick Young to play Friday vs. Washington

At a time when they need something to lift their spirits, the Lakers suddenly discovered a source of positive energy.

After missing 15 of the past 16 games because of soreness in his left knee, Nick Young will come off the bench when the Lakers (22-45) host the Washington Wizards (35-32) tonight at Staples Center.

“Ain’t too much Swaggy can’t do out there,” said Young, who is second on the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game. “I feel good. That’s the reason I want to get back out there.”

Young has plenty of reasons, beyond wanting to build off his rhythm after practicing for the past two days and facing his former team where he played from 2007-12.

Young also said he has talked to the team about the need to avoid becoming the worst Lakers team in franchise history. The worst mark when the Lakers have played in Los Angeles happened in the 1974-75 season where the Lakers went 30-52. The Lakers would have to win at least nine of their last 15 games to surpass that record.

“It’s been tough. Just sitting back and watching and seeing some of the games when we just get killed out there, that’s frustrating,” Young said. “But it is what it is. Like I said, we all talked and we don’t want to be the worst team in Lakers history.”

The Lakers have sorely missed Young’s ability to create his own shot and his infectious energy.

“As long as you know he’s playing well, he’ll stay on the floor,” D’Antoni said. “If not, we’ll sub him in and out. It’s good to get him back and get him back in the flow.”

Still, it could be easier said than done.

D’Antoni has echoed concerns that the Lakers’ slew of wing players, including Young, Xavier Henry and Kent Bazemore have occasionally played too much one-on-one offense instead of passing the ball. Young, who has a $1.2 million player option, has also conceded trying to strengthen his resume in hopes of staying with the Lakers.

“I’ll just play hard,” Young said. “I’m Letting the fans know that I want to be here and I want to do what it takes for me to get some wins.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Nick Young, Jordan Hill ruled out Wednesday vs. Spurs

Though both Nick Young and Jordan Hill participated in the past two practices without any setbacks, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni ruled both of them out for tomorrow’s game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center.

Instead, the Lakers are targeting Young and Hill to return this weekend either Friday against Washington or Sunday against Orlando.

D’Antoni said both Young and Hill “looked okay.” Young has missed 14 of the past 15 games because of soreness in his left knee. Hill has sat out of the past seven games because of a hyerpextended right knee.

“They’re almost ready to play,” D’Antoni said. “The injuries aren’t too bad. I think Nick is further ahead than Jordan Hill just by looking at them. You can’t tell if they’re taking it easy because they’re cautious.”

Young has averaged a second-best 16.8 points, while Hill has averaged 8.2 points and 6.8 rebounds despite becoming a casualty of D’Antoni’s preferred smaller lineup.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com

Nick Young begins practicing with uncertainty on his return

With the ball in his hands, Nick Young dribbled to the perimeter, sank a three-pointer and then showed more of his infectious personality that has defined his stay here with the Lakers.

Young held out three fingers and then belted out a roar that pro wrestler Ric Flair uttered often: “Whooo!”

Yes, Young looked like he hasn’t missed a beat in his first practice Monday since sitting out the past 10 games because of persisting soreness in his left knee. But when will he return?

Neither the Lakers nor Young know.

The Lakers spoke Monday before practice, which wasn’t expected to include full-court five-on-five drills. But neither Young isn’t cleared yet to play in such drills anyway. Jordan Hill returned to practice too after missing the past seven games because of soreness in his right knee. But the Lakers say he’s not ready for full-court five-on-five drills either.

As for Young, he express hope last week he would return when the Lakers (22-44) host the San Antonio Spurs (50-16) on Wednesday at Staples Center. But Young may not return until Friday vs. Washington or maybe even later.

“It depends on how I feel really,” Young said. “I’ll see if I can go as early as Friday. You never know.”

Continue reading “Nick Young begins practicing with uncertainty on his return” »

Nick Young targeting return Wednesday vs San Antonio

Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic forward Maurice Harkless (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic forward Maurice Harkless (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Nick Young told this newspaper he has aimed to return next Wednesday when the Lakers host the San Antonio at Staples Center.

He has missed 14 of the past 15 games because of soreness in his left knee and hasn’t progressed his rehab beyond weight training, spot-up shooting and running on a weight-bearing treadmill. Young has ranked second on the Lakers in scoring, averaging 16.8 points.

Young had hoped to return on the Lakers’ two-game trip this week that included a 131-102 loss Thursday in Oklahoma City followed by a game tonight in San Antonio. But Young couldn’t practice this week as he had hoped. During the Lakers’ lone practice this week on Wednesday, Young was limited to an individual weight training session and running on a weight-bearing treadmill.

After tonight’s game in San Antonio, the Lakers don’t play again until their matchup on Wednesday against the Spurs at Staples Center, giving Young more opportunities to practice. Young said the Lakers training staff has informed him his return hinges on if he can participate in at least a full practice without any setbacks.

“They want the bruise to heal,” said Young, who added he doesn’t need to wear a brace on his knee. “If I keep getting hit, I would be out longer.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com