Nick Young believes Byron Scott's criticism of him is unfair

It's been a tough season for Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Nick Young, as it has for just about everyone in Lakerland.

After missing the start of the season with a torn thumb ligament, then returning to post the worst shooting percentage of his career (36.6) in 42 mostly miserable games (the Lakers went 12-30), Young is done for the year due to a fractured kneecap.

"It’s tough," Young said of not being able to finish out the season, according to the LA Daily News. "I’ll look toward next year."

Young has also become something of a lightning rod for criticism from Lakers first-year head coach Byron Scott, and he's begun to bristle at the constant scrutiny, which he feels is unfair.

"I’m used to it right now, hearing what Byron has to say," said Young. "I take it with a grain of salt."

Here's what Scott had to say this week about Young's outlook for next season: 

His priorities have to be a little different. I consider Nick either a home run or a strikeout-type guy on the offensive end. Just like I told him, he has to elevate his game. He has to grow as a basketball player if he wants to continue to play in this league for a long time. He has to get better moving without the ball, being able to defend people a little bit better and be a better off-the-ball defender as well.

There are areas in his game that he has to improve. And if he doesn’t, there’s no telling what we’re going to do this year in the free-agent market. But if we get the guys we want, then he’s got a challenge next year on his hands as far as being in that rotation and playing consistent minutes.

Asked whether he took Scott’s words to heart, Young demurred.

"Nah," he said. "I don’t know. I feel like it’s just a target toward me. It’s a little unfair. But it’s cool."

He has his own plans for the offseason.

"I’m trying to stay in shape. I don’t want to get fat. I’ll continue to work out, work hard and stay Swaggy."