Struggling Young Makes Key Shots in Wizards' Win

LAS VEGAS, July 19 -- Guard Nick Young showed that he has potential to be a major scorer in the NBA when he came off the bench and scored 27 points during a Washington Wizards loss to the Lakers in his home town of Los Angeles back on March 30.

Young, who averaged 7.5 points in 15.5 minutes as a rookie, is hoping to provide more performances like that memorable one this season. With that in mind, Young came to the NBA summer league looking to show that he's ready to build on last season's experiences.

Prior to Saturday night's 80-75 overtime win over Houston, however, Young was averaging 10.7 points on 31.3 percent shooting and had more turnovers (four) than assists (three) in three games.

Too often, Young's aggressive drives to the basket ended with difficult or out-of-control shots and though he had made 4 of 9 three-point attempts, he seldom looked as if he was comfortable shooting. At times, he expressed frustration by slumping his shoulders or cursing under his breath after missing a shot or making a mistake.

"I think I've been trying to force things a little too much, forcing shots and being a little too aggressive at times," Young said before Saturday's game. "I wanted to come out here and play so well, I kind of got ahead of myself a little bit. When I force things, it throws my shot off. I need to just settle down and play my game."

Young didn't exactly break out during Saturday's win, which improved the Wizards to 2-2 in summer league play, but he did hit a three-pointer late in regulation that helped force overtime. Then, with less than a minute remaining in the extra session, he hit a long jumper to provide the winning margin.

"I was frustrated about not making some shots earlier so when the game was coming down to the end, I just tried to relax and knock down some shots," said Young, who finished with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 28 minutes. "After we lost our first two games, our goal was to win the last three and that's what we plan on doing."

Young, who scored in double figures 26 times last season, should be prepared for a larger role in his second season, especially since Roger Mason Jr., who was a steady presence off the bench last season, recently signed a free agent contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Young trained with former Bullets forward Don MacLean in Los Angeles and reported for pre-summer league workouts carrying from five to seven more pounds of muscle than he carried as a rookie.

"Before we came down he was playing great and he had a solid first game scoring 17 points . . . so he just has to let the game come to him a little bit more," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said before Saturday night's game.

Brown Gets Wizards to OT

After a Young three-pointer drew the Wizards within 72-71 with 6.8 seconds remaining in regulation, Wizards guard Dee Brown stopped the clock by intentionally fouling Houston's Gustavo Barrera, pushing Barrera into the Houston bench. As Barrera lined up for two free throws, injured Houston rookie Joey Dorsey, who was dressed in street clothes, began jawing at Brown.

Even as Barrera gave Houston a 74-71 lead by making both free throws, Dorsey's chatter continued until he received a technical foul.

Brown made the technical free throw, drawing the Wizards within two, and then he forced overtime by tipping in a miss by Andray Blatche as time expired. The Wizards iced the win in overtime by outscoring Houston 6-1.

Blatche continued his strong play by scoring 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting with seven rebounds and four assists, and second-year forward Dominic McGuire had his best effort of the week, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie first-round pick JaVale McGee finished with four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes. . . .

The Wizards close summer league play Sunday afternoon against the Phoenix Suns. The game will not be televised.