Wizards guard looks for return to form tonight at Detroit
No one is immune to the shooting woes that have cursed the Washington Wizards’ backcourt. Even their most dependable scorer over the first five weeks, Nick Young, has been infected.
Mired in a 5-for-21 slump over his last five games, Young has seen his minutes slip. After playing at least 15 in every game, Young has logged a total of nine in the last two contests.
But tonight when Washington (4-18) travels to Detroit (13-9), Young will get a longer look.
“I told him, ‘I’m gonna play you a full segment. Don’t worry about making a mistake,’” said Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott. “I asked him, ‘Does that make you fell better?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘I’m gonna give you at least six then.’ He said, ‘How about eight?’ So he was feeling better right away.”
With the ability to shoot from 3-point range, create off the dribble, or drive to the basket, the 6-foot-6 Young is Washington’s most complete backcourt threat. But confidence and defense have been stumbling blocks for the 23-year-old.
“You gotta let a guy use his gifts,” said Tapscott. “His gifts are on the offensive end. Sometimes you’re just gonna have to suffer through some of the defensive lapses.”
Last week’s acquisition of veteran slasher Mike James has cost Young some minutes. Neither player has shot well. Since the trade, Young is 1 of 9, while James is 6 of 23. But that’s par for the course in a Wizards’ backcourt, which has compiled a 38 percent accuracy rate this season.
“I’m gonna take a little blame for Nick’s troubles,” said Tapscott. “I’ve got him thinking too much. Sometimes you can stress execution, execution, execution. That forces a guy to start thinking about everything he does. Some guys are just better playing in flow.”
Notes » Tapscott said Andray Blatche will start at center again tonight. He had mixed results (19 points, 2 rebounds) in Monday’s 118-98 loss to Indiana … Tapscott expects Etan Thomas, out the last three days on medical leave as he traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to re-join the Wizards tonight in Detroit.
After a strong start, Nick Young’s production has dipped. G PPG FG% MPGFIRST 19 10.6 47 21.8LAST 5 3.6 24 12.4
Up next » Wizards at Pistons
When » Tonight, 7:30
Where » The Palace of Auburn Hills
TV/Radio » CSN/980 AM
» After losing at Verizon Center last Tuesday, Detroit (13-9) beat Indiana and Charlotte, both by four points, on Friday and Saturday. New PG Rodney Stuckey had 34 points and 18 assists in the two games and appears to have found chemistry with SG Allen Iverson (37 points, 15 assists) and SF Richard Hamilton (46 points). Both shifted up a slot to accommodate Stuckey’s insertion into the starting lineup. The teams have split their two meetings this year, both winning on their home court.
