The Swag Returns: Nick Young Back For Lakers at Hawks

The Los Angeles Lakers have started the 2014-15 season 1-9 and are desperate for an infusion of energy to resuscitate the season. With a challenging three-game road trip kicking off on Tuesday night in Atlanta, the Lakers will finally have Nick Young available against the Hawks.

Young, who led the Lakers in scoring in 2013-14, underwent thumb surgery after suffering a fracture in training camp. With Kobe Bryant unable to play for all but six games of the 2013-14 season, Young led the Lakers with 17.9 points per game and even hit the 40-point mark on a couple occasions.

"Swaggy P" can score -- fact.

Whether drawing laughs in the locker room or drawing fouls on the basketball court, Young adds spirit and chemistry to a team that desperately needs it. His fun personality is infectious, and his scoring ability is essential for the Lakers to lighten the load on Bryant. Through 10 games, Young has been sorely missed in practice and in games.

"He's an energy giver. He's one of those guys when he's on the floor and in practice, there's a lot of energy and he enjoys the game," Lakers coach Byron Scott said on Tuesday morning. "He enjoys a certain passion that you have to enjoy being around. He's not an energy taker. That's a plus. Obviously, the fact that he can beat people off the dribble and create shots for himself and create shots for his teammates. All of those things help as well. I'm anxious to see him out there."

Young will make his return off the bench, a role he played for the majority of the 2013-14 season. Whether he moves into the starting unit remains to be seen, but the 29-year-old expects to play alongside Bryant for long stretches. While other Lakers may not be willing to pry the ball away from Bryant, Young has a history of shooting regardless of who else is on the court.

As odd as it may sound, the Lakers are desperate for a guy who will not look to pass the ball to Bryant. Young is definitely that guy, and the Lakers could have used him 10 games earlier.