Nick Young plays defense like Drake makes hits

Nick Young compared himself to Drake and insisted that he’s a great defensive player.

There haven’t been a lot of surprises this year for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe Bryant announced this would be his final season, as expected. No. 2 draft selection D’Angelo Russell has shown flashes of his potential, but has also struggled adjusting to the pros, as expected. And the team itself sits squarely at last place in the Western Conference, as expected.

So forgive the social media world for roaring in surprise and astonishment when Nick Young, the polarizing three-point shooter who has always seemed allergic to playing even competent defense on the floor, actually made a few great defensive plays Wednesday night. The Lakers lost in overtime to the Timberwolves, but it was Swaggy P providing the highlights down the stretch with some uncharacteristically clutch defensive stops and heads-up plays.

The revelation wasn’t lost on the man himself either, as Young joked(?) with reporters afterwards that he wanted to be considered for Defensive Player of the Year, adding that if he didn’t at least get nominated it would be the equivalent of the Grammys snubbing Drake’s hit single “Hotline Bling.”

The Lakers have been one of the worst defensive teams in basketball this season, and Swaggy P has by no means been exempt from that ignominy – if anything, Iggy Azalea’s fiancee has often been one of the primary culprits behind L.A.’s defensive lapses.

So you’ll forgive Young for embracing a rare solid performance and getting a little carried away in the moment. Just don’t expect regular appearances from this “Swaggy D” moving forward.