Sixers Notes: Sixers' Young seeks to return

Before last night's game against the Hawks, forward Thaddeus Young said he would try to return to the court before the end of this season.

On March 15, Young broke his right thumb in a 94-84 loss to the New York Knicks. In 67 games, Young was averaging 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 32 minutes a game.

He did not play last night.

Coach Eddie Jordan was told of Young's desire to return even though the team had been eliminated from playoff contention.

"That's good; he should," Jordan said. "If he feels like he can play and help his team, then he should."

Also out for last night's game was guard Lou Williams, still struggling with a lower-back injury. Jordan said Williams was "a little bit ahead" of Young in terms of rehabilitation and returning.

Jordan started rookie Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala, Jason Kapono, Elton Brand, and Marreese Speights. At the last minute, Jordan replaced starting center Samuel Dalembert with Speights, a change termed a "coach's decision."

On Wednesday night, the Sixers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 101-86. After the game, the players described their play as "loose."

Before last night's game, Jordan was asked whether playoff elimination - a result of Monday night's loss to Orlando - had eased the pressure on his team.

"Frankly, I didn't even know we were eliminated," Jordan said last night. "I never thought about that. I never looked into it. We play hard every game. I like for our guys to be prepared to win every game."

Guard Jodie Meeks played 21 minutes, 12 seconds on Wednesday night, his season high since joining the Sixers on Feb. 18. Meeks finished 2 for 7 from the field, with seven points and two assists.

"I like his demeanor, where he's getting through screens, hitting people," Jordan said. "He's getting hit and not getting bumped off his routes."

In this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, a Western Conference scout said this about the Sixers:

"They are having dunk contests before games; they are running plays sloppily or not all the way through; and they aren't listening to Eddie Jordan. They have quit. They know Eddie is gone [after the season] and they think they don't have to listen anymore. . . .

"These guys think that just because Eddie is gone they will be back [next season]. But nobody wants guys who give up when things go bad. Eddie's offense was a bad fit for this roster - they have to find a way to play more up-tempo - but these guys are embarrassing themselves. And everyone around the league knows it."

- Kate Fagan