LOS ANGELES_Nick Young has always been a shooter, and lately he has been one of the best in the league.
But before Saturday's practice, Los Angeles Lakers Coach Luke Walton reminded Young that defense, not offense, is why he's in that position at all.
"It's tough when you got labels on you," Young said. "That's what coach wants me to do. Told me before practice, 'Even though we're losing, don't forget why we got you out there. Bring energy. We're trying to label you a defender now.'"
Young embraced the memo wholeheartedly.
In a scrimmage that concluded practice, he shouted taunts about Jordan Clarkson, the player he was guarding, begging the opponents in the scrimmage to run a play for Clarkson. When they did, Young blanketed Clarkson, stole the ball from him and flipped it forward to point guard D'Angelo Russell.
"That ain't no foul," Young said as the play concluded in points for his team.
On the next possession Young took on rookie Brandon Ingram and blocked his shot, shouting proudly after the play.
Young's joy in scoring still shows constantly, and he has had plenty of opportunity to show it lately. During the last seven games, Young has made 29 three-point baskets, second-most in the NBA after Minnesota's Zach LaVine, who has made 32.
Against Dallas on Thursday, Young made his first six shots, five of them three-pointers. But after making his first four three-pointer in the first quarter, his opportunities dwindled. Young didn't shoot in the second quarter, and shot only twice each in the third and fourth quarters. The Lakers lost, 101-89.
