Ty Lawson feeling 'overlooked' in free agency
After a turbulent few seasons, Ty Lawson is looking for a NBA job. A free agent after splitting 2015-16 between the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets, he admits his self-belief was shaken a little.
"The whole thing is with confidence. Last (season) was the first time I felt that I wasn't the confident player," Lawson told ESPN's Marc J. Spears. "If I did any wrong thing, I would be scared to shoot it or scared to make a pass."
Lawson played the worst basketball of his career in his 53-game tenure with the Rockets. Waived and picked up by the Pacers in March, he performed a little better. Ultimately, however, the point guard says the near-All-Star-caliber talent he exhibited with the Denver Nuggets from 2009-15 is still there.
"I just got to go out there and play, stop second-guessing myself and go out there and play like I normally do. It's going to be easier than last year. I wasn’t able to work out as much because I had to go to rehab. I'm focused. I’m in the gym every day. I feel like the old Denver Ty Lawson will be ready to show up."
Lawson stressed that his issues with alcohol - including three DUI arrests dating back to 2008 - that led to rehab are behind him.
"The times I got in trouble, I was caught drinking and driving. I don't drive anymore or do anything irresponsible," Lawson said. "Things happened in the media because I drank and drove. But I'm not a person out here like everyone thinks that I'm drunk all day."
Lawson, who turns 29 in November, understands at this point in free agency he will not earn top dollar, but does expect to land somewhere in the NBA.
"They're going to get me for cheaper than I feel I'm worth. ... I feel like I'm overlooked in free agency," Lawson said.