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Lakers' head coach Byron Scott critical of Swaggy P: 'He's not having a good year'

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott doesn't appear to be the biggest Swaggy P fan.

Scott was critical of the colorful swingman's play for the 16-44 Lakers, who are in the midst of their worst season in franchise history since moving to Los Angeles in 1960. 

"Either you are having a good year or you're not. He's not. He's not having a good year," Scott told reporters Friday. "He'd be the first to admit that (it) hasn't been the year he expected."

Scott's assessment is accurate - Nick Young has struggled through injuries and been largely ineffective when on the court. While he can put up points in a hurry off the bench, he's shooting a career-worst 36.6 percent from the field and doesn't offer much in terms of passing, rebounding or defense. 

"He has to do a better job moving without the ball," Scott said. "It can't be catch and then 18 dribbles and then he gets a shot. He has to do a better job of coming off screens, catching and shooting with one dribble or two dribble. When he does it that way, there's one of two things. It's a home run or a strikeout."

When a reporter joked that baseball legend Babe Ruth could thrive under those circumstances, Scott replied with the following, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina:

Babe Ruth was probably one of the best players in baseball history. I know Nick thinks he's up there with Reggie Miller and Larry Bird from a shooting standpoint. But if you look at their shooting percentage and you look at his, he's not there.

Young's inefficiency and one-dimensional game, coupled with his streakiness, makes him a rather frustrating player. And it appears Scott is also getting sick of Young's look-at-me shtick.

Young, who didn't participate in team shootaround Friday, will miss his sixth consecutive game when the Lakers take on the Memphis Grizzlies due to swelling in his left knee. Scott hopes he can return for Sunday's clash against the Dallas Mavericks

Looks like Young will have the weekend to continue his ongoing beef with ESPN's anchor Robert Flores.

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