Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Posted: 8 p.m.
By Dei Lynam
CSNPhilly.com
Thaddeus Young was adamant when he said he wants to play for the Sixers for a long time.
I want to be here, the restricted free agent emphasized Tuesday after conducting his basketball camp for kids in King of Prussia, clearing up any misconceptions from a recent radio interview where the forward said he had no interest in playing on a one-year contract.
The Sixers extended qualifying offers to Young and center Spencer Hawes last week. Young could reach a long-term deal with the Sixers or agree to a contract with another club, which the Sixers would have the right to match for at least one year.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires at midnight on July 1, a player becomes an unrestricted free agent at the completion of that one-year contract. David Lee played on a one-year deal with the Knicks before signing with the Warriors last summer and Ben Gordon did the same with the Bulls prior to joining the Pistons as a free agent two summers ago.
Young met with Doug Collins Monday night and the Sixers head coach tried to put his hybrid power forwards mind at ease.
NBA
He wanted to let me know that they have every intention of signing me, Young said. It is definitely what they are trying to do after the lockout. He just wanted me to know that he is here for me and whatever I need he would try and help me get.
Young, like most people associated with the NBA, assumes a work stoppage is unavoidable. He was only 10 years old when the NBA owners and players last came to an impasse. Assistant coach Aaron McKie played for the team back then and has shared wisdom gained from that experience with some of the current players.
Aaron told us about their work stoppage and how crazy it was, Young said. He said make sure you save your money and I was like I am good there. A lot of guys, I dont know what their bank accounts look like, but we definitely have to stick together and we have to hope for the best, and hope it doesnt last long.
The last NBA work stoppage ended on Jan. 20, 1999, more than six months after the lockout began. When things were resolved that year, a 50-game regular season took place beginning the first week in February and ending the first week in May.
Young said whenever the league gets back to business as usual he will let his agent, Jim Tanner, shop his wares in an effort to get the best deal possible.
If I tried to do that myself I would drive myself crazy, Young explained. It is all about finding out what I am worth. My agent does a good job of keeping me in the loop, but I look forward to them just getting a deal done.
Young averaged 12.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 26 minutes a game this past season. He shot a career-best 54 percent from the floor, but averaged just two free throw attempts per game.
He had a torrid start in the postseason where Young shot a combined 17 of 40 in the first two games against the Heat. Then in Games 3 and 4, Young was a combined 2 for 12 before shooting 6 of 8 from the floor in the Game 5 series finale.
Young said one the thing the Sixers dont have to worry about is him putting in hard work between now and whenever the next NBA season takes place.
They are not worried about me at all, Young stressed. They know that I am going to do the things I need to do. I have been in the gym for two or three weeks now. I have been lifting, running and getting shots up.
Unfortunately, it could be some time before fans of Young see the benefits of his off-season hard work.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow her on Twitter @DLynamCSN.
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