Skip to content

Kings' Lawson: Bad rap has been 'pretty hurtful'

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Off-court issues have badly tarnished Ty Lawson's reputation, and undoubtedly hurt the 28-year old point guard's stock over the summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Lawson ultimately ended up with the Sacramento Kings on a one-year, $1.3-million contract, a far cry from his $48-million extension with the Denver Nuggets in 2012.

While Lawson has certainly made his fair share of poor decisions away from the hardwood, he feels his reputation is unwarranted when it comes to his attitude behind the scenes.

"It’s been pretty hurtful, I guess," Lawson told CSN California's James Ham. "Everybody thinks, ‘Ty’s a locker-room wrecker,’ I don’t even say stuff in the locker room. I’m quiet, I’m chill. I feel like no one knows who I am. (They’re) just going off what other people say. It’s kind of tough dealing with that."

Dating back to 2008, Lawson has been arrested four times for driving under the influence, with his most recent violation coming last July in Los Angeles. As a result, the seven-year pro was ordered to spend a month at a rehabilitation center.

The league also suspended Lawson for three games stemming from the arrest.

He averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 assists on 39.3 percent shooting across 66 games with the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers in 2015-16. The season prior, Lawson posted 9.6 assists per game with Denver, good for third in the NBA.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox