Lakers’ Nick Young finds culprit for abysmal shooting -- the rim

Nick Young finally found the reason for his horrible season.

“I just blame it on the rim,” he said Tuesday. “The rim was tripping this year. Next year, I’m going to take her out on a date and treat her a little better.”

Whatever it takes.

The Lakers’ ebullient reserve forward became an in-game albatross, shooting a career-worst 36.6% and averaging only 13.4 points. He’s still recovering from a knee injury that will have kept him out of the team’s final 28 games.

When he feels better, he won’t exactly be running back to the gym.

“I’ll be in Maui if y’all need me,” were Young’s last words to reporters after sitting down with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Coach Byron Scott in his end-of-season exit meeting. Most of the Lakers’ injured players spoke Tuesday, the day before the season finale against Sacramento.

Young, 29, showed some remorse for a season gone awry after being the Lakers’ main free-agent signing last summer. He sill has three more years and $16.3 million on his contract.

“Right now, I’m just trying to forget about all that and focus on the relaxation I need,” he said softly. “Get away from basketball and get a chance to miss it. Right now, I’m just trying to clear my head.”

He butted heads with Scott on a few occassions and drew the ire of Kobe Bryant for being part of a giddy post-game celebration in February, a victory over Boston that improved the Lakers’ record to 14-41.

His declining play, though, has made him eminently expendable if anybody wants him in a trade.

Of course, the self-proclaimed “Swaggy P” hopes to stay in L.A.

“I’m confident,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens, and it’s meant to happen.”