The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a surprising 7-5 start this season, but they must quickly get ready for one of their biggest tests yet Friday as they host the San Antonio Spurs.
Arguably the biggest surprise from the Lakers this season has been the play of guard Nick Young. Young went from falling out of the rotation completely last season under head coach Byron Scott and talks of being traded or cut during the off-season, to starting for a winning team.
The real change for Young came at the defensive end as everyone knows that he is a talented scorer, but this year he has really improved his effort defensively, often guarding the opposing team’s best players.
Friday he will have the task of guarding guys like Danny Green, who is one of the best three-point shooters in the league, as well as Manu Ginobili, and maybe even Kawhi Leonard at some points in the game.
That is if Young plays in the game.
According to Mark Medina of the LA Daily News, Young missed Thursday’s practice with a head cold, but he is listed as probable for Friday’s game:
Nick Young is not at practice today. He has a head cold and is listed as probable for tomorrow vs Spurs
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 17, 2016
Sitting out of practice was likely just a precautionary measure for the 10-year veteran, as being ready to play in Friday’s game is more important for Young than getting practice reps.
After averaging just 19.1 minutes per game in 54 games (two starts) last season, Young has started every game so far this season, averaging 13.4 points on 45 percent shooting and 36.3 percent from three-point range in 26.5 minutes per game.
Should Young not be ready for the game, either Jordan Clarkson or Lou Williams would likely take his spot in the starting lineup.