He’s quick. He can handle the ball and get his own shot. He can fire from 3-point range or take it to the basket. He’s got a smooth crossover and deadly step-back. His team is much better in transition when he is on the floor, but sacrifices something in half-court defense.
Sound like injured Washington guard Gilbert Arenas?
Yes, but there’s another Wizard who fits the description — Nick Young.
It’s only two games, but so far in another slow-start season for the 0-2 Wizards, Young appears to be the team’s most improved player. In 47 minutes off the bench, he has 33 points on 11 of 19 shooting from the floor and 11 of 11 from the line.
Drawing fouls and living at the line? Just another similarity between the Wizards’ pair of Los Angeles natives.
Were it not for Young in Saturday’s 117-109 loss at Detroit, Washington might have been blown out. With the Pistons up 47-30, the second-year man from USC sparked a 16-0 run with a fade away jumper. In the second half, he helped the Wizards stay close, out-playing Detroit’s highly-touted reserve Rodney Stuckey, who was selected one spot ahead of Young (Nos. 15 and 16) in the 2007 draft.
“Nick is a great scorer,” said Juan Dixon, who thrived with Young in the backcourt Saturday, hitting 4 of 5 shots. “He can put the ball on the floor, get to the basket. He has a wonderful jump shot and he was able to bring some energy … and get us back in the game.”
The 6-foot-6 Young had a disastrous two-game trial as a starter last December (4 for 16, 1 assist), but might be ready if called on this year. In the Wizards’ inverted offense, in which the guards are virtually interchangeable, Young could start with DeShawn Stevenson.
By January could the Wizards starting lineup include Arenas, Young, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison? There might not be enough basketballs to suit that unit and defense would be a liability. But who in the East could match the Wizards’ athletic ability and skill?
Either way, it would be a formula for lots of points and lots of fun.
