Veteran guard Nick Young recently re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year deal that secures his long-term future with the team. Although Young has only played six games with Kobe Bryant, the 29-year-old says the five-time NBA champion has mentored him all the way, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:
“He’s been great, really,” Young said. “He’s been like my mentor, really, right now. He’s been calling, texting me, talking to me, motivating me. I think that’s big. Growing up, who would have thought Kobe would be the one doing all that? I didn’t ever think I’d be working out with Kobe or talking to him.”
Young also mentioned that if Kobe is Batman, then he is Robin to reflect his new role as the five-time champion’s sidekick:
“Batman needs Robin,” Young said. “I’m here, ‘The Boy Wonder.’ The Boy Wonder is here. That’s what I’m here for.”
Over the past few weeks, Kobe has been doing nothing but motivating teammates from last season and newcomers that have recently signed with the team. Along with Young, Kobe has reached out to Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer to prepare them for next season.
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It’ll likely be another rough road for the Lakers during the 2014-15 NBA season. The team wasn’t able to land a superstar in free agency and as a result, brought a lot of the players from last year’s roster back for at least one more year. Young will be playing alongside a lot of familiar faces come October with Kobe, Steve Nash, Xavier Henry, Ryan Kelly, Wesley Johnson, Robert Sacre and Jordan Hill set to return.
New additions to the squad include Lin, Boozer, Ed Davis and rookies Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Even with the odds against them heading into next season, the Lakers could surprise some people with some savvy veterans surrounded by hungry young players trying to prove their worth.
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