Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott is having issues with guards Nick Young and Jeremy Lin. The first-year coach seems to be dissatisfied with how the two have been playing, which could lead to both of them receiving even less minutes on the court.
Scott hasn't been thrilled with either guard's production, albeit apparently for different reasons. Young struggled on Sunday against the Houston Rockets and didn't see any of the second half, per Scott's decision. After the game, Scott indicated it was Young's attitude and effort that earned the 29-year-old a spot on the bench for the entire second half.
"It looked to me that he didn't want to be here," Scott said of Young's performance, via ESPN. "At halftime, we showed stuff on the tape where he was guarding (Rockets swingman Corey) Brewer in the corner. I asked (Young), 'What were you thinking on (this) play?' The answer he gave me, I couldn't figure it out. So I just felt with his body language that he didn't want to play tonight, so I chose not to play him."
Young's slumping performance this season doesn't help matters, either. His numbers off the bench last season - 17.9 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting - earned him a new four-year, $21.3 million contract over the summer, but he's yet to live up to it. Since signing the deal, Young's production has dipped to 14.1 points per game on 37.3 percent shooting.
Whereas Scott's issue with Young appears to be the swingman's attitude and effort, his issue with Lin has to do with consistency. Scott didn't play Lin at all on Friday against San Antonio, choosing instead to play Jordan Clarkson and Ronnie Price at the point guard position.
"The effort has been great. That hasn't been a problem with Jeremy," Scott said. "It's just a matter of being consistent each and every night, trying to get into a flow each and every night. That's what we talked about again (Sunday morning)."
Lin, who admitted not playing Friday hurt, ended up playing 28 minutes on Sunday and finished with 14 points and six assists.
While Los Angeles is likely stuck with Young for the immediate future, Lin will become a free agent after the season and is unlikely to be re-signed by the Lakers.
