Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 5:58 PM | 7 comments |
 

The Greening Of Thaddeus Young
options
 

Fact: Thaddeus Young, in just his second season, is the 76ers' No. 2 scoring option, after Elton Brand and before Andre Iguodala.

Fact: Young is, through the first 10 games of the season, the Sixers' leading scorer.

Given Young's rapid ascension, a reporter the other day asked coach Maurice Cheeks whether he could forsee, in perhaps a couple of seasons, Young as the No. 1 option.

''Is Elton Brand still here?'' Cheeks asked.

Cheeks, though, gave it a little more thought and said: "I hear what you guys are saying, (that) if he continues to blossom and go the way he's going, then you have to maybe look in a different direction. But right now, I like the way (Young) is playing. He's feeding off a lot of guys, and a lot of guys are feeding off him. He's just a basketball player, very knowledgable, that wants to learn, and he's very receptive to teaching.''

I suggest this: Young is clearly the team's most improved player, and still has a ton of upside. But he's the leading scorer through 10--count 'em, 10--games. At this point, he has no idea about the weight of attempting to do this through the grind of an 82-game schedule. And that's OK, because as long as he continues to provide the same level of energy he can impact the games in various other aspects. And as long as he's doing that, Cheeks can focus on ways to more effectively incorporate Brand, Iguodala and--perhaps the most difficult of all--Samuel Dalembert.

 

 
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 5:58 PM  Permalink | 7 comments
7
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  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:55 AM, 11/19/2008
    I love thad, but mo has it right. Just let the kid play. I dont buy into all this talk about number one options, number two options anyway. Championship teams just have options, and they can adjust their gameplan based on matchups(Boston - Garnett, Allen, Pierce. San Antonio - Duncan, Parker, Ginobili. Detroit - Billups(AI), Prince, Hamilton, Sheed.) Right now, the way i see it we have two legitimate scoring options (defined as guys you can count on to get a basket when you need it) - Thad and Brand. Last year, Miller, Igoudala, and lou played that role for stretches, and this year Willie has stepped up into that role on occasion. If one or mor of those sometimes options becomes a legit fulltime option, we're in pretty good shape.
    — K,M
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:56 AM, 11/19/2008
    This kid is a special player!! Does it all, and has a great head on his shoulders. This kid is the best player the 6ers have Right Now! And we have some very good players. Thanks go out to BK. Did you know that his father is 7 feet tall & his mother is 6 foot. I'm waiting on a growth spurt from him during a summer. 6'10", he would be ridicoulous. Our future is very bright!!
    — VDogg
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:08 PM, 11/19/2008
    Whether he is the first, second, or third option, they NEED to at least run plays for him. I keep hearing that they don't run plays for him, but they do run plays for Iguodala? That is what needs to change. Iggy can be more effective playing d, getting baskets in transition, etc. Young obviously worked on his game over the summer so he should be rewarded.
    — HarryAllen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:33 PM, 11/19/2008
    Thad will make a fool of the front office. Its truly ashame that Iggy was signed for 80 million. Thad will walk in '11 b/c we will not be able to afford a superstar b/c of a 6th man making 6/80. There is no way this team will prosper with Iggy at the '2' over the long haul. he can't shoot, he can't break a player down, he is a fast break player suited to providing energy off the bench with the second team. I give Stefanski credit for making a 'splash' but it will ultimately look worse than the King fiasco. On second thought it already does.
    — Truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:19 PM, 11/20/2008
    OK, the real problem is Iggy. He cant shoot, period. Freethrows, no... mid range... no, 3's NO! why is he taking 3's when he shoots like 10%? WHy is he shooting at all??? I watch the game and I want to run out on the floor and kick his arse. CHeeks should reign him in!
    — Wise_Owl
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:49 AM, 11/24/2008
    Simple: Iggy will be gone within 10 games. 2 guard comes in and makes it happen...
    — starman


7 comments
About Bob Cooney
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.

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