To join the Golden State Warriors, the shooting guard upped his game.
Scoring five three-pointers, which Nick Young (AKA Swaggy P) did in the October 13th pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings, isn't too shabby a way to kick off the NBA season. But, although he's known for these shots (and his on-court celebrations afterwards), his success last week wasn't a product of continued good luck or mere accident. This is Young’s first year as a Golden State Warrior—and he took his time off leading up to it very seriously. “That's a lot of pressure going to a championship team, so I need[ed] to do everything I [could] really,” he says.
He even gave up the chips, candy, and other junk food he ate "all his life," in favor of cleaner fare. And though he can’t get on board with limiting his meat consumption, he now opts for grass-fed protein. The six-foot-seven father of two says staying in the gym is equally key to his continued success.
Meanwhile, he's also motivating his friends to up their own games. Case in point: Adrian "Big Meat" Pascascia and Young go way back, they told us when we met them at the Equinox Sports Club Los Angeles in August. Big Meat is also Nick’s assistant and though they give each other a lot of flack, it’s clear they look out for one another and demonstrate an almost brotherly rapport. (Young says Big Meat is a “people person,” and Big Meat admires Young’s “good heart.”)
Here, Young puts Big Meat through a workout typical of NBA players. Watch to find out how well he can keep up—and scroll down for the full routine to see if you can hang.
The Workout
Courtesy of Equinox Sports Club Los Angeles Tier X Coach Adam Quinter
1. Wind Sprints: 5 sets X 40 meters
Rest 1 to 2 minutes in between sets
2. Sled Push: 5 sets X 20 meters
Rest 1 to 2 minutes in between sets (Demonstrated with Young's son, Nick Jr.)
3. Rowing: 3 sets X 1 minute
Rest 1 to 2 minutes in between sets.
4. Tire Sledgehammer Swing: 3 sets X 20 (10 slams each side)
Rest 1 to 2 minutes in between sets
5. Dynamax Ball Throw: 3 sets X 10 throws
Rest 1 to 2 minutes in between sets