With team slumping, Nick Young says, ‘It’s hard to be a Lakers fan’
Nick Young has sympathy for Lakers fans after the team’s recent stretch of 10 losses in 11 games.
“It’s hard to be a Lakers fan, especially to see a game like the last one we played. It’s tough,” Young said before practice Monday. “We’re still the Lakers. We’ll still go out and fight each night and try to turn things around.’’
On Friday, the Lakers were demolished by the Clippers, 123-87.
“You don’t want to feel that again. That was embarrassing,” Young said. “I didn’t want to show my face no more.”
The Lakers didn’t exactly start Monday at full strength, with Pau Gasol missing practice to get an MRI on his left foot, injured in the loss to the Clippers.
The Lakers were also missing Kobe Bryant (knee and Achilles), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee), leaving just eight players available to practice.
Fewer players should mean more time on the floor for player development staff like J.J. Outlaw, Larry Lewis and Mark Madsen.
Of course Outlaw, Madsen and Lewis won’t suit up Tuesday night when the Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers — although Madsen sounds like he hasn’t lost much since his playing days.
“Mark don’t let up. He’s still hard-fouling and rebounding and going wild,” Young said. “I’ve got to say Larry has been getting the most buckets on us lately.”
Of the injured Lakers, Henry is the closest to a return, although Coach Mike D’Antoni said he’d like to see the injured guard in practice before activating him for a game.
The Lakers start a seven-game road trip Wednesday in Phoenix.
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Pau Gasol misses practice to get MRI on left foot
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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