Lakers Rotation Will Need To Adjust To Loss Of Nick Young

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by Barnstable, Oct 4, 2014.

  1. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

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    "Lakers rotation will need to adjust to loss of Nick Young


    The Lakers were dealt their first significant setback of the 2014-15 season on Friday, when Nick Young was ruled out for approximately eight weeks after tearing a ligament in his right thumb.

    Through a number of training camp scrimmages, Young served as a primary scorer at small forward on the Lakers' second unit.

    With opening night less than four weeks away, Coach Byron Scott is going to need to figure out a workable rotation without Young.

    [​IMG]
    Related: Nick Young tears thumb ligament, will be out about eight weeks
    Mike Bresnahan

    The Lakers open their preseason schedule on Monday in San Diego against the Denver Nuggets. The team lists the probable starters as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Wesley Johnson, Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill.

    Jeremy Lin will presumably back up Nash. Veteran point guard Ronnie Price, who is enjoying a strong training camp, might also crack the rotation at point guard.

    Rookie Jordan Clarkson and/or Wayne Ellington are the likely subs for Bryant at shooting guard. Rookie Julius Randle will probably spell Boozer at power forward, while Scott can turn to either Robert Sacre or Ed Davis at backup center.


    Davis may also get time at power forward. Jeremy Tyler, trying to make the team, has also played center in scrimmages.

    The Lakers are grooming first-year players Jabari Brown, Roscoe Smith and Keith Appling -- though none are expected to make the team. Tyler, who has a guaranteed contract, may have a slight shot to stick around, but the Lakers' final two roster spots will probably go to Price and Ellington.

    In addition to Young, both Ryan Kelly (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (back and knee) are injured.

    When healthy, Henry may be able to serve as the backup to Johnson at small forward.



    Bryant is another option at the three, rotating over the course of a game with players like Ellington, Clarkson or even Lin at the two. On Friday, Lin also got some time practicing at small forward -- despite standing just 6 feet 3.

    While Randle may eventually show he can play minutes at the three, he's still learning the NBA game. Scott may stick with him at power forward for some time before experimenting at another position.

    Rotations tend to extend to 10-12 players through the exhibition season. Over time, Scott is going to need to settle on a rotation of eight to 10.

    Unfortunately for the Lakers, that's not going to include Young and his high-volume scoring."

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/laker...otation-nick-young-injury-20141003-story.html
     

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  2. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Eager to see some preseason games so we can figure out just what that rotation will be.
     
  3. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

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    I'm surprised they were playing Young at the 3 so much, but I guess they didn't have much choice with X out.... again...
     
  4. Kasumi

    Kasumi Lakers Girl Staff Member

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    I really hope this injury, and Nash, don't mean a return last year's injury-plague. Please stay healthy people!
     
  5. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

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    Well so far it's Nash, X, Young, and Kelly.

    They say Nash isn't really a problem, but it still seems like a lot of injuries to have barely started training camp. More than that it's injuries to players that matter. All I can hope for is this forces the rookies to play more.
     
  6. XXIV

    XXIV - Rookie -

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    Appears like the injury plague from last season transferred over. We're going to need a few different guys to step up in order to match Young's contribution off the bench. But if X and Kelly continue to be hampered by injuries it will be difficult to find that production.
     
  7. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    I am still holding out hope that last year's injury plague has moved on from us.
     
  8. Freethrower

    Freethrower - Rookie -

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    I'm not sure how much we can tell about final rotations just from the pre-season games. They may be trotting out lineups just to experiment with chemistry, and to see which of the fringe guys are going to make the roster or get cut.
     
  9. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    yeah, this is what I think Byron and the staff will mainly be doing. Finding out the great combination and who works best together.
     
  10. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    So far the majority of rotations in practice have had Nash/Kobe/Wesley/Boozer/Hill as the starters. Then it's been Lin/Clarkson/Young(?)/Randle/Davis.

    I'd be fine with that rotation. Maybe squeezing Price or Ellington in while Young is out.
     
  11. lakersyunowin

    lakersyunowin - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Time for Linsanity 2.0!
     
  12. DjBelvedere

    DjBelvedere - Rookie -

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    I think it's time for our Rooks to become Randlkson or something like that - I hope they can give us more than a lot of guys around the league expect. Never want to put too much expectation on a rookie but they look good in training camp.
     
  13. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    Like Kobe told Nick the night he found out about the torn ligament in his thumb, this is an opportunity to improve other areas of your game. It's early but it looks like Nick is taking on the challenge and as always is smiling/laughing:

     
  14. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Last year we had a bunch of wing players and this year there are barely any. With Nick and X out for sometime who's gonna be the back up 2 and 3? The two is a little easier with Lin or Clarkson possibly getting some burn there but the back up SF spot is iffy right now. Hope X can come back soon and healthy, or we are gonna see Kobe there sometimes and maybe Randle?
     
  15. magic2mamba

    magic2mamba - Rookie -

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    Could be a blessing in disguise. Nick Young is what he is. His game may pick up a little playing with Kobe and the under the guidance of Scott, and I think he is an assett, but I think this gives us a chance to see what Clarkson can do as well.
     
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  16. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    I think this will give us a chance to get some young guys some minutes to develop. I think Kobe had some great advice for Nick on how to look at a way to find a positive in this time off. I also like that Coach had him run anyways. :clap:
     
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  17. Sipnotic

    Sipnotic - Rookie -

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    I also liked how Scott still made him run and do some drills. At least his conditioning will not be a major concern upon his return.
     
  18. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    With the proper pushing from Kobe and Scott, which they're already providing, this could make Young a much better player. Conditioning, foot work, defense, and learning the plays does not require a healthy shooting hand. Hell, maybe it'll make him better with his off hand. Take a page out of #24's book and how he's dealt with his injuries. Not allowing them to be a setback, instead an opportunity.

    I found it funny that he thought he was going to just sit and watch practice until Scott pulled him out there for drills. MDA wouldn't have done that.
     
  19. puffyusaf#2

    puffyusaf#2 - Lakers Starter -

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    im glad to see nick working on his off hand. It will be huge for him going forward. He will really benefit from playing alongside Kobe getting that mental assassin approach to the game and detractors.
     
  20. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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