With Nick Young out, Kobe Bryant may have to pick up the slack. (Getty)
The Lakers announced Friday night that Nick Young is out 6-8 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb.
That's a tough break for a player that fans have really taken to since his arrival in LA, and who the Lakers really need as a bench scoring force behind Kobe Bryant, especially if there will be any minutes restriction on Bryant coming off two major leg injuries. The man known as Swaggy P has captured the imagination of fans thanks to his entertaining personality, his hilarious Instagram account, and his relationship with pop star Iggy Azalea.
But he also was going to play a significant role as a perimeter scorer on this team. Young isn't efficient, but can produce points -- and though he can be a bit of a space cadet on both ends, he's a willing defender and that's going to be a big deal for this team.
Meanwhile, Xavier Henry is still not ready and may not be ready for opening night. Steve Nash is going to be a question mark until he shows he can play consistently. And Bryant is still continuing his progress towards being 100 percent.
Their options at backup two-guard could come down to Ronnie Price, Wayne Ellington or Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson has impressed Bryant in practice, and Wesley Johnson will likely start at small forward.
Keeping Bryant's minutes down is going to be the big problem. Containing Bryant's competitiveness is already a big task for Byron Scott, but doing so without a viable backup in games in which the Lakers are fighting tooth and nail through three quarters will be even harder; Scott wants to win.
Without Young and the spacing he creates as a perimiter threat, sets without Bryant could become clogged, making it harder for a frontcourt that's already missing a consistent post threat beyond Carlos Boozer, unless Julius Randle is able to actually get time (which is a whole other question).
And more minutes for Bryant could lead to a further degradation of his body. Prior to Bryant's return last year, Ken Berger touched on the complicated nature of radical injuries and how they can complicate other issues with the body.
As with any tendon injury, the rupture is repaired surgically and the tendon needs time to heal. Bryant, being a world-class athlete and a conditioning marvel of the modern sports era, will recover from that injury. Even at 35, his tendon will heal, the surrounding tissue will repair itself, and Bryant gradually will return to full, weight-bearing athletic activity involving a basketball and a hoop, as he has been doing for his entire adult life.
But what about the rest of him? That's where the focus should be as Bryant makes the transition from rehab and recovery to strength and conditioning, and ultimately, to on-court performance.
Read this quote that Lakers spokesman John Black gave to the Los Angeles Times, and you will get an idea of what I mean: "One of the key issues is to make sure he builds up strength and endurance not only in his Achilles but also in his legs, knees, back and core."
In my opinion, that isn't merely one of the key issues. It's the key issue.
via The biggest question about Kobe Bryant isn't his Achilles - CBSSports.com.
Bryant is said to be in incredible shape, and looks on track to play in both the preseason and the regular season opener. But it's never those one-off games. It's the grind of the season. That's a tougher thing to deal with when you don't feel like there's a backup. If they had a better small forward, they could move Wesley Johnson to backup two. They can try a dual-point guard lineup with Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin -- but, of course, Nash first has to be able to play. Beyond that, he has to be able to play extended minutes. And Lord have mercy, the defense.
Clarkson could surprise as the answer here. He's a pure two, can shoot and handle, and that's all you really need. If he's lost defensively, that's OK, this is the Lakers. If he's not efficient, that's OK, this is the Lakers. They just have to float by until Young gets back after the first 15 games.
Until then, LA will have less swag, and Kobe Bryant may have to shoulder a bigger load.
Basketball Hot News
Anthony Davis tweaks finger in preseason win over Miami Heat, X-rays negative
There were plenty of positives for New Orleans in its Saturday night preseason opener in Louisville — Ryan Anderson looked good, hitting 4-of-9 shots, Jimmer Fredette scored 17 points, Luke Babbitt had 15, plus Russ Smith dropped 12. But all you really wanted was to get out of this contest against the Heat healthy.
They had a scare at one point: Anthony Davis left the game after injuring the index finger of his left hand.
But it appears not to be serious.
That’s good news for the Pelicans. And they were right not to put him back out there.
Count me in the group that thinks New Orleans is going to make the playoffs this season. Probably. This is the brutal Western Conference but if any other team slips this team is poised to step into their spot.
But they need a fully healthy Davis for that to happen.
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