[ad_1]
Thaddeus Young arrived in the Valley as a sign-off from the buyout market after the Phoenix Suns twice came close to acquiring him in a trade.
At the 2014 deadline, a surprising Suns team was in the hunt for a playoff spot, and in 2021, a Phoenix team in the NBA Finals was competing for Young.
A full 10 years after his first attempt, Young is now with the Suns.
“When I got on the phone with (general manager) James (Jones) and coach (Frank Vogel), those were the first things we said: ‘Finally we have an opportunity to get together and work together. I did it,’” Young said. Arizona Sports Burns & Gumbo on wednesday. “So this is a great time and a great experience. I’m happy to be a Phoenix Sun and I’m ready to put in the work.”
Like almost every player acquired, there are questions about Young’s ability to still impact games at age 35. He has played a sporadic role with the Toronto Raptors in each of the past two seasons, and in the 17th year of his career he has played more of an undersized center, as opposed to the versatile power forward he was in the prime of his career. Are suitable.
Young mentioned such a role when talking about why he chose to come to Phoenix.
“I felt it was the best fit for me to come in and not only play, but also help coach young players. …And then I came to the team when we made the decision to go into a small-ball lineup with a little five. Not only will I be able to help, but it could be me,” Young said. “I have the ability and certain skill set to get out of double teams. [Kevin Durant] has doubled, or [Devin Booker] doubled or [Bradley Beal] Leading and playing from double teams and becoming a double so you can make the right decisions.
“And I think the other thing was the defensive versatility that I could bring to the team. Being a small-ball No. 5 or being in the No. 4 position, it brings a new dynamic to the defensive side of the basketball. It brought me.”
Young mentioned how having the option to go small ball could play a “huge role” in deciding the outcome of a playoff series.
Young, who was drafted in 2007, has similar upside to Durant. It’s a friendship that goes back 20 years, he said. Both appeared in similar high school All-Star Games as emerging young players, allowing them to form a relationship before the NBA’s big spotlight. Young said he is also friends with Booker, Beal and Eric Gordon.
Young is known as a high-IQ player and a good guy to have in the locker room, and he has discussed what his role could potentially be with the Suns, making him a valuable addition to Phoenix. This highlights the reason why it is reinforcement. Will he play or not?
“Honestly, I said this to Frank and I said this to James: I’m a ‘do it all’ kind of guy. So, whatever it takes. If it’s a night I don’t play, that’s fine with me. I’m going to figure out other ways to stay focused on the game and help the young guys on the bench stay focused on the game. If I have a night to play, I’m going to give it my all and try to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it. … I’ve watched a lot of basketball, I’ve played a lot of basketball, probably the only guy on the roster who’s played more than 1,000 basketball games. There’s probably only two people, and that’s probably me and KD. So, like I said, I’ve seen a lot and what the role is and what is needed at a certain point. I understand.”
[ad_2]
Source link
