Los Angeles Lakers' Nick Young learning from Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers’ swingman Nick Young has been criticized throughout most of his career but found a home with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Although the Lakers suffered through a disappointing 27-55 season, which was the sixth-worst mark in the league, Young was one of their bright spots. The Lakers rewarded Young for his growth, maturity and improved play with a four-year, $21.5 million deal after Young opted out of the second year of his two-year contract after the season.

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Although Lakers’ star guard Kobe Bryant was limited to just six games last season, Young says Bryant has been a fantastic mentor for him.

“He’s been great, really,” Young said via Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles. “He’s been like my mentor, really, right now. He’s been calling, texting me, talking to me, motivating me. I think that’s big. Growing up, who would have thought Kobe would be the one doing all that? I didn’t ever think I’d be working out with Kobe or talking to him.”

Bryant averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the field, 18.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free throw line. In his storied career, he has averaged 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field, 33.5% from three and 83.8% from the charity stripe. Young averaged 17.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 82.5% from the free throw line. In his career, he has averaged 12.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 42.9% from the floor, 37.7% from three and 82.7% from charity stripe.

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Los Angeles Lakers’ Nick Young learning from Kobe Bryant

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 28, 2014