Thread Tools

Display Modes

**Coatesvillain** · 01-23-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Ed Stefanski didn't succeed Billy King as president and general manager of the Sixers until Dec. 4.

While Stefanski wasn't in charge for last June's draft, he appreciates that King and staff selected Thaddeus Young at No. 12.

“What he has done has been fantastic,” Stefanski said after Tuesday's practice. “If he was a stock, I would've loved to have bought him. It's too late now. This kid has a huge upside.”

The Dec. 29 trade of small forward Kyle Korver to the Jazz may have cost the Sixers their best perimeter shooter, but it opened up more minutes for Young. He's taken advantage of the opportunity.

Young, who played one year of college ball at Georgia Tech, is averaging 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 22.6 minutes and shooting 42-for-76 (55.3 percent) in the last 10 games.

In his first 21 games with Korver on the roster, Young averaged 4.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 10.6 minutes and shot 48.8 percent.

In Monday's 110-103 home loss to the Pacers, Young had 13 points and seven rebounds in a season-high 30 minutes. He started the second half in place of Reggie Evans for matchup purposes. The 16-26 Sixers scored 18 more points than the Pacers in the time the 6-8 Young was on the court.

Young also helped them end a seven-game losing streak in Houston with eight points in the fourth quarter during the comeback victory and was a driving force in the Sixers' establishing a 12-point second-period advantage over the NBA-leading Celtics on Friday. Not surprisingly, he is becoming a regular on the floor late in games.

“His maturation in terms of playing the game and learning the game early has been tremendous,” coach Maurice Cheeks said. “We keep him on the floor in the fourth quarter of close games. I'm not afraid to put him in the game, certainly not afraid to start him in that second half because the things he does are very good.”

Young, the second-youngest player in the league behind Seattle's Kevin Durant, figures to continue his increased role tonight at the Wachovia Center against the veteran Pistons. He suffered a mild sprain of the right wrist in Monday's game, but it didn't prevent him from practicing Tuesday and won't stop him from playing this evening.

“I can learn more on the court than just sitting because when you're on the court you're playing and going through all the trials and tribulations,” Young said. “I feel myself getting better every step I go.”

The Sixers see it, too. If the rest of the league does, it could result in a spot on the rookie team for the rookie/sophomore game Feb. 16 during All-Star Weekend in his birthplace of New Orleans.

LINK

**Sliccat** · 01-23-2008, 04:38 PM

I like him alot, but I heard somebody compare him to durant. I don't think Young will ever have the offensive firepower he has. He's another Iguadala-type to me, which is fine. I think that, if they add a solid post player and point guard, in addition to their core, they'll be a 4-6 seed in the playoffs next year.

I also think that they should be (and they are as far as I can tell) encouraging williams to be that 6th man, ben gordon-type scorer. He won't be that good probably, but I think he's more valuable at that position than he ever will be as a starting point.

**Coatesvillain** · 01-23-2008, 05:09 PM

He doesn't have the offensive scoring potential that Durant has but I think he'll have the better all around game. I'm not a big fan of the way Durant is playing basketball this season because it's setting up bad habits for the rest of his career.

When it comes to everything else, I see the comparison you're making with Iguodala.. but offensively I think he'll be a much better pure scorer than Iguodala is. I don't think he has the same problem with going for is offense. If he does step up that way, it'll allow Iguodala to go back to getting points in the flow.

**Sliccat** · 01-23-2008, 05:30 PM

I've yet to see any evidence of his ability to be a go-to scorer, much like iguadala in his early years. I think that young will a first option only on a bad team.

**Coatesvillain** · 01-24-2008, 03:53 AM

The main difference is the majority of his points aren't off of alley-oops in the open court. He's actually creating for himself at times, something that Iguodala didn't consistently attempt until last season.

**BEEZ** · 01-24-2008, 05:16 AM

Hes already better than Carney, and as far as pure scoring goes, that shouldnt be a problem. He gets his own points as already stated and hes going to be a much better jump shooter than Iggy is. I dont know if he will have the exact type of all around game of Iggy but his skill set is there.

captainobvious · 01-24-2008, 07:54 AM

Not to mention his ability to crash the boards. He gets in the lane when shots are attempted to snag rebounds which is a huge plus.
I like the way this kid is developing. The future is getting brighter in Sixerland.

**Sliccat** · 01-25-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

The main difference is the majority of his points aren't off of alley-oops in the open court. He's actually creating for himself at times, something that Iguodala didn't consistently attempt until last season.

**Coatesvillain** · 01-26-2008, 01:14 AM

Iverson did dominate the ball (I remember people got mad at me for saying that) but Iguodala consistently passed up open looks. That being said, lets not forget games after the trade and buyout where he hardly shot the ball.

It's obvious now that I overrated Iguodala. I thought he'd come in this offseason a better scorer, but expecting him to carry the offensive load is like expecting milk from a rock.

Now with Young I'm not saying he will be a superstar (like I was with Iguodala). I think he will be the better part of a good tandem, and maybe a part of a Pistons like foundation.

Perfection · 01-26-2008, 04:45 PM

He's a younger (and better at a young age) version of Travis Outlaw.

Ras · 01-27-2008, 03:24 AM

I haven't had the chance to watch a single Sixers game yet this season, so I haven't seen him play. Judging from all of your thoughts though, I'm glad the Sixers got him.

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes