CLOSE

Sports Pulse: USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick breaks down Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, where the Warriors blitzed the Rockets in second half to force a decisive game back in Houston. USA TODAY Sports

LINKEDINCOMMENTMORE

Nick Young is one of the NBA's great characters, and one of its most confident offensive players.

What "Swaggy P" is not known for is his defense. That showed in Game 4 when he went minus-14 in 13 minutes of the Warriors' 95-92 loss. Young then only played one minute in the 98-94 Game 5 loss. 

But in Game 6, Young went plus-9 in 16 minutes as the Warriors rallied from a 17-point deficit to win 115-86.

Young credited a conversation he had with renowned defender Dennis Rodman for helping the improvement on the defensive end.

Of course, that conversation didn't actually happen in person, but rather in Swaggy P's dreams. 

"Dennis Rodman came in my dream last night, and I was wondering why he came in my dream. He had the purple hair, all kinds of stuff," Young told reporters postgame. 

"He told me, 'Tomorrow you're going to play a little defense,' and I was like, 'Nah that's not my game, Dennis Rodman, why you in my dream?'

"But it just so happened I played a little defense." 

Rodman, of course, was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year who won five championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. 

The Warriors forced Game 7 back in Houston with the big victory.

NBA playoffs: Best of the conference finals

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

May 26: Klay Thompson reacts after making a three-pointer
May 26: Klay Thompson reacts after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 6.  Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports
May 26: Kevin Durant dunks in the second half of Game
May 26: Kevin Durant dunks in the second half of Game 6.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 26: Stephen Curry drives to the basket during the
May 26: Stephen Curry drives to the basket during the first half of Game 6.  John G. Mabanglo, Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
May 26: Trevor Ariza shoots over Klay Thompson during
May 26: Trevor Ariza shoots over Klay Thompson during the second quarter of Game 6.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 26: James Harden dunks the ball during Game 6.
May 26: James Harden dunks the ball during Game 6.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: LeBron James reacts after a play during the
May 25: LeBron James reacts after a play during the fourth quarter of Game 6.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: Jayson Tatum dunks the ball during the fourth
May 25: Jayson Tatum dunks the ball during the fourth quarter of Game 6.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: Kyle Korver and Larry Nance Jr. try to steal
May 25: Kyle Korver and Larry Nance Jr. try to steal the ball from Aron Baynes during Game 6.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: Jordan Clarkson shoots the ball over Marcus
May 25: Jordan Clarkson shoots the ball over Marcus Morris during the second quarter of Game 6.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: LeBron James handles the ball against Marcus
May 25: LeBron James handles the ball against Marcus Morris during the second quarter of Game 6.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 25: LeBron James reacts during the first quarter
May 25: LeBron James reacts during the first quarter of Game 6.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 24: Clint Capela blocks the shot of Kevin Durant
May 24: Clint Capela blocks the shot of Kevin Durant during the second quarter of Game 5.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 24: James Harden drives past Kevon Looney during
May 24: James Harden drives past Kevon Looney during the second quarter of Game 5.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 24: Kevin Durant is defended by PJ Tucker during
May 24: Kevin Durant is defended by PJ Tucker during the first quarter of Game 5.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 24: Kevon Looney and PJ Tucker fight for possession
May 24: Kevon Looney and PJ Tucker fight for possession of the ball during the first quarter of Game 5.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 24: Santa Fe High School students hold the Texas
May 24: Santa Fe High School students hold the Texas state flag during a pregame tribute prior to Game 5.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 23: Jeff Green blocks a layup from Terry Rozier
May 23: Jeff Green blocks a layup from Terry Rozier during the fourth quarter of Game 5.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 23: Jayson Tatum attempts a layup in front of LeBron
May 23: Jayson Tatum attempts a layup in front of LeBron James during the third quarter of Game 5.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
May 23: LeBron James attempts a layup during the third
May 23: LeBron James attempts a layup during the third quarter of Game 5.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
May 23: Marcus Morris fouls LeBron James during the
May 23: Marcus Morris fouls LeBron James during the third quarter of Game 5.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) and
May 23: Larry Nance Jr. and Marcus Morris shove each other during the second quarter of Game 5.  Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) reacts after
May 23: Terry Rozier reacts after a score during the first quarter of Game 5.  Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 22: James Harden goes up for a layup during the
May 22: James Harden goes up for a layup during the second half of Game 4.  Marcio Jose Sanchez, Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
May 22: Stephen Curry shoots the ball during the fourth
May 22: Stephen Curry shoots the ball during the fourth quarter of Game 4.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 22: Draymond Green talks with referee Mike Callahan
May 22: Draymond Green talks with referee Mike Callahan during the third quarter of Game 4.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 22: James Harden shoots against Draymond Green
May 22: James Harden shoots against Draymond Green during the second quarter of Game 4.  Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports
May 22: Jordan Bell blocks a shot by Clint Capela during
May 22: Jordan Bell blocks a shot by Clint Capela during the second quarter of Game 4.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 22: James Harden shoots over Klay Thompson during
May 22: James Harden shoots over Klay Thompson during the first quarter of Game 4.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Jaylen Brown attempts a layup during the forth
May 21: Jaylen Brown attempts a layup during the forth quarter of Game 4.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Fans jeer Terry Rozier during a free throw
May 21: Fans jeer Terry Rozier during a free throw in the third quarter of Game 4.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Marcus Smart and George Hill scramble for the
May 21: Marcus Smart and George Hill scramble for the ball in the second quarter of Game 4.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Terry Rozier defends Jordan Clarkson during
May 21: Terry Rozier defends Jordan Clarkson during the second quarter of Game 4.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Jaylen Brown and Kyle Korver scramble for a
May 21: Jaylen Brown and Kyle Korver scramble for a loose ball during the first half of Game 4.  David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: JR Smith reacts after scoring during the first
May 21: JR Smith reacts after scoring during the first quarter of Game 4.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: LeBron James looks to pass in front of Jaylen
May 21: LeBron James looks to pass in front of Jaylen Brown during the first quarter of Game 4.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 21: Terry Rozier attempts a layup during the first
May 21: Terry Rozier attempts a layup during the first quarter of Game 4.  Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: Stephen Curry reacts after a play during the
May 20: Stephen Curry reacts after a play during the third quarter of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: Stephen Curry extends for the ball against
May 20: Stephen Curry extends for the ball against James Harden during the third quarter of Game 3.  Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: Stephen Curry reacts after a play during the
May 20: Stephen Curry reacts after a play during the third quarter of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: James Harden shoots over Draymond Green during
May 20: James Harden shoots over Draymond Green during the second quarter of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: Stephen Curry goes up for a layup against Gerald
May 20: Stephen Curry goes up for a layup against Gerald Green and Eric Gordon during the first half of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: Trevor Ariza goes up for a layup past Stephen
May 20: Trevor Ariza goes up for a layup past Stephen Curry during the first quarter of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 20: James Harden shoots the ball over Kevin Durant
May 20: James Harden shoots the ball over Kevin Durant during the first quarter of Game 3.  Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
May 19: Kevin Love defends Jaylen Brown during the
May 19: Kevin Love defends Jaylen Brown during the third quarter of Game 3.  Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
May 19: Jaylen Brown defends Kyle Korver during the
May 19: Jaylen Brown defends Kyle Korver during the second half of Game 3.  Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
May 19: LeBron James attempts a layup during the first
May 19: LeBron James attempts a layup during the first half of Game 3.  Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
May 19: Aron Baynes goes up for a dunk in front of
May 19: Aron Baynes goes up for a dunk in front of LeBron James during the first quarter of Game 3.  Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
May 19: A fan dressed up as Star Wars character Chewbacca
May 19: A fan dressed up as Star Wars character Chewbacca watches Game 3 between Boston and Cleveland.  Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Kevin Durant is defended by Chris Paul during
May 16: Kevin Durant is defended by Chris Paul during the first half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Chris Paul goes up for a layup over Draymond
May 16: Chris Paul goes up for a layup over Draymond Green during the second half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Draymond Green controls the ball against Gerald
May 16: Draymond Green controls the ball against Gerald Green during the second half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Shaun Livingston dunks during the first half
May 16: Shaun Livingston dunks during the first half of Game 2.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Gerald Green reacts after a dunk during the
May 16: Gerald Green reacts after a dunk during the first half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: Kevin Durant backs down Eric Gordon during
May 16: Kevin Durant backs down Eric Gordon during the first half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 16: James Harden reacts to a call against him during
May 16: James Harden reacts to a call against him during the first half of Game 2.  Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports
May 15: Terry Rozier attempts a layup in front of LeBron
May 15: Terry Rozier attempts a layup in front of LeBron James during the forth quarter of Game 2.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
May 15: LeBron James goes up for a layup in front of
May 15: LeBron James goes up for a layup in front of Greg Monroe during the forth quarter of Game 2.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
May 15: Terry Rozier reacts after scoring during the
May 15: Terry Rozier reacts after scoring during the third quarter of Game 2.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
May: Tristan Thompson dunks during the second quarter
May 15: Tristan Thompson dunks during the second quarter of Game 2.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
May 15: Greg Monroe attempts a layup against Jeff Green
May 15: Greg Monroe tries to score over Jeff Green during the second quarter of Game 2.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
May 15: LeBron James attempts a three-pointer over
May 15: LeBron James attempts a three-pointer over Aron Baynes during the first quarter of Game 2.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: James Harden pokes the ball away from Kevin
May 14: James Harden pokes the ball away from Kevin Durant during the fourth quarter of Game 1.  Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: Andre Iguodala battles James Harden and Chris
May 14: Andre Iguodala battles James Harden and Chris Paul for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of Game 1.  Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: Andre Iguodala dunks past Gerald Green during
May 14: Andre Iguodala dunks past Gerald Green during the third quarter of Game 1.  Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: Kevin Durant shoots over Clint Capela during
May 14: Kevin Durant shoots over Clint Capela during the third quarter of Game 1.  Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: Draymond Green celebrates with Kevin Durant
May 14: Draymond Green celebrates with Kevin Durant during the second quarter of Game 1.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 14: Draymond Green shoves James Harden during the
May 14: Draymond Green shoves James Harden during the first quarter of Game 1.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: LeBron James goes up for a layup during the
May 13: LeBron James goes up for a layup during the third quarter of Game 1.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Al Horford goes to the basket past LeBron James
May 13: Al Horford goes to the basket past LeBron James during the third quarter of Game 1.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Marcus Morris defends LeBron James during the
May 13: Marcus Morris defends LeBron James during the third quarter of Game 1.  David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Kevin Love dunks during the second quarter
May 13: Kevin Love dunks during the second quarter of Game 1.  David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: JR Smith throws up a shot during the second
May 13: JR Smith throws up a shot during the second quarter of Game 1.  David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Marcus Morris reacts after a score during the
May 13: Marcus Morris reacts after a score during the second quarter of Game 1.  David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Rodney Hood takes a pass as Jaylen Brown looks
May 13: Rodney Hood takes a pass as Jaylen Brown looks to defend during the first quarter of Game 1.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: LeBron James shoots over Al Horford during
May 13: LeBron James shoots over Al Horford during the first quarter of Game 1.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Al Horford and Kevin Love battle for a loose
May 13: Al Horford and Kevin Love battle for a loose ball during Game 1.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
May 13: Tip off between Al Horford and Kevin Love before
May 13: Tip off between Al Horford and Kevin Love before Game 1.  David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

    Replay
    Autoplay
    Show Thumbnails
    Show Captions

     

    LINKEDINCOMMENTMORE