No plays called for Thad

[Skates]

From the Philly papers today:

THERE ARE, in the 76ers' scheme of things, post plays for Elton Brand, point forward sets for Andre Iguodala, back-door lobs for Samuel Dalembert, one-on-one breakdown calls for Lou Williams and Willie Green. For Thaddeus Young, there is simply a vista of opportunity that stretches the length and breadth of the basketball court.
The precocious, second-year wing player is savvy enough to understand this won't last, but through the first 10 games of the season he is the Sixers' leading scorer, putting together averages of 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds, shooting 51.5 percent from the floor and 39.4 from three-point distance.

"Well, that's shocking [that he's the leading scorer]," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said yesterday after practice at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "But I think if he had two points he would still have an impact on the game. It's not like he's got to score 20 points to have an impact. His impact is just based on the things that he does. No flash - offensive rebounds, runs the floor, beating people down the floor."

Cases in point: Young shot just 3-for-5 in last Wednesday's victory in Toronto, but had four rebounds, three steals and a block and contributed by defending against 6-10 Raptors star Chris Bosh, then switching to cover a shooting guard. In Friday night's dramatic, come-from-way-behind victory in Indianapolis, he was a major factor, with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and has dropped in 21 of 33 shots over the last two games.

He is, far and away, their most improved player, the product of a dedicated, businesslike summer that included playing with the Sixers' summer-league team in Las Vegas, participating in Tim Grgurich's skills camp and spending time with shooting instructor Mark Price in Atlanta. But to Cheeks, that doesn't mean Young came back as a changed player.

"Thad just does what he's capable of doing," Cheeks said. "He doesn't try and do too much. We don't run any plays for him. He kind of offensive rebounds, spots up, [is consistent at] coming down on the break. And he's been making shots. He's not doing anything I don't think he did the latter part of the second half [of last season]. He's just doing it a little bit better, and getting more opportunities."

Young, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2007 draft, had been projected to need a season or more to fully acclimate to the pro game. Instead, he needed roughly half a season, starting 22 of the last 38 games as a rookie. He is playing even above that level now, physically stronger, slotted at small forward - his natural position - rather than power forward, where he spent a good chunk of last season. He runs and jumps just as effectively, but has extended his shooting range and improved his accuracy.

When somebody asked Cheeks whether, as Young continues to develop, he would begin calling plays for him, the coach laughed and said, "Why would I screw it up? . . . Because he may not realize he's our leading scorer. If I start calling plays, he may start thinking about that; I want him to play the way he's been playing, not thinking that he has to score. It's not like he's taking over the game, like you're throwing the ball to him 20 times."

If we had a team full of go to scorers, I might agree with this philosophy, sort of the way Phoenix used Sahwn Marion.  But for goodness sake, Thad is by far the best perimeter scorer we have, and it's not remotely close.  I am not saying to make him the focal point of the offense at this point of his career, but pass him the ball in a motion offense and give him a few set plays and he is a 20+ ppg scorer easily.  If teams had to focus on him more it would open Brand up and reduce the number of shots taken (and often forced) by less gifted scorers like the Andres.  If Cheeks can't see that his natural scoring talents and vastly improved/honed skills compared to last year don't warrant some extra touches he is a complete and utter tool.  This makes my head hurt.

[anklebreaker]

Thad causes too many mismatch problems for us not to run plays for him.  He can go to work in the post on either end of the basket and has a soft touch with either hand.  He's learning to take his man off the dribble, and he's turning into a consistent all around shooter.  I agree that he's the guy that can take a lot of that pressure off Brand. 

[jemagee]

This isn't news is it?  I mean the sixers don't seem to have any set plays, I think that's bad for a lot of players, I think Lou Williams running set plays and learning to run them properly might help if he's ever going to become a point guard (don't think he is but still)...is this another failure of the coaching staff?

[Skates]

This isn't news is it?  I mean the sixers don't seem to have any set plays, I think that's bad for a lot of players, I think Lou Williams running set plays and learning to run them properly might help if he's ever going to become a point guard (don't think he is but still)...is this another failure of the coaching staff?

Although you could have fooled me, according to the first paragraph of the article they actually do have set plays for everyone else except Thad (and thankfully Reggie).  Again, they seem to be treating Thad like Shawn Marion.  Three problems with that:

1.  Thad is a very good defensive player, but he is not the all-around rebounding/defense demon that Marion is.  I think he can play D and have a few plays run for him too.

2.  Marion is/was a decent offensive player, Thad is very quickly developing into a major scoring force and has much better offensive skills than Marion.

3.  Marion was surrounded by a number of other, more gifted scorers, Thad, not so much.

[jemagee]

When somebody asked Cheeks whether, as Young continues to develop, he would begin calling plays for him, the coach laughed and said, "Why would I screw it up? . . . Because he may not realize he's our leading scorer. If I start calling plays, he may start thinking about that; I want him to play the way he's been playing, not thinking that he has to score. It's not like he's taking over the game, like you're throwing the ball to him 20 times."

Instinctively I don't like this paragraph, these quotes from Mo, they rub me the wrong way, and kind of irritate me, combine that with Mo's 'shock' at the emergence of Thaddeus Young and I'm starting to think he might have some sort of alzheimers problem

[tk76-]

This article also seems to ignore how Thad could help open up the offense for others.

While I agree, it could be hard for Thad to adapt to increased attention from the defense...  That increased attention on Thad could really open things up for Brand and Iguodala.  

Right now the offense is run through two perimeter players who defenses sag off (Iguodala and Miller.)  This creates spacing problems for Brand.  I think defenses will have to pay more attention to Thad, who already has a better jumper and quicker and more decisive first step than Iguodala.

I also see Iguodala being more efficient if he can run some in Thad's current spot on the weakside.  If the ball is swung to him and he is wide open on the weakside rotation he could attck the rim.  Right now, on the strong side of the floor it is hard to drive through the teeth of the defense.

Thad may not be ready to have the offense run through him- but the offense won't be potent until their best wing scorer is fully integrated into the attack.

[Derek Bodner]

1.  Thad is a very good defensive player, but he is not the all-around rebounding/defense demon that Marion is.  I think he can play D and have a few plays run for him too.

I actually think Marion's an extremely overrated defender.  Sure, he blocks shots and forces turnovers, but his man-man defense i think is suspect.

The quote jemagee quoted I think is just Mo trying not to put pressure on the kid and to slow it down for him.  I don't completely disagree with that.  I myself have wondered whether Thad's ready to be the focal point of the team offensively.  I don't agree with NO plays being run for him, but I also understand Mo not necessarily wanting to make him the focal point just yet.

[DuckyNinja]

It scares me that the head coach sounds proud that he doesn't run any plays for his leading scorer.  This is almost as bad as Mcnabb not knowing the game would tie.  He's the goddamn leading scorer for a goddamn reason, run some effin plays for the guy.  I agree with DB that you don't necessarily make him the focal point yet, but he should be getting just as many plays called for him as Iggy.  There's no reason not to.

[jemagee]

I agree that it might have been Mo's intent - but to me it's just worded a bit off - not intentionally - but almost insulting to Thad - but that's just me.

As for Marion, I have nothing to say on the subject cause I'm looking at him on my fantasy roster and wondering if i should trade his ass or not cause my team stinks and as of now i wouldn't be keeping him for next season

My problem (as I think about it while I write this) with Mo's quote is that he seems unwilling to even add one or two plays for Thad.  No one is asking him to throw out the (non existent) playbook that hasn't been working much yet and rewrite it around thad, but how about calling thads number on purpose every once in a while - REWARD the kid for what he's been doing instead of dismissing his ability to handle it.

Maybe that's why it took so long to get him off the bench last year, Mo underestimating Thad? 

[tk76-]

There is a general offensive set they run where Thad waits on the weakside on the wing or baseline.  This is where Iguodala used to stand around when AI was still here (but Thad does a better job at making himself useful.)

i don't see why Mo can't simply switch Thad and Iguodala's spots on the floor very now and again.  I actually think it might be more helpful to Iguodala than anyone.

[Skates]

BTW, my rant has nothing to do with Thad being on both of my fantasy rosters, although I am not complaining about his early season soring breakout.  I think we are all in agreement not to dump the entire offense into his lap, but letting him do what he already does, plus throw in a handful of plays actually called for him would be a nice transition to what he is eventually going to be - our franchise player.  As noted, it would also help Brand a ton as defenses completely collapse on him every time he touches the ball even remotely near the basket.

tk, speaking of fantasy rosters, you have to be loving T-Mac needing to "shut it down" for a while.  I think you have more injured guys than healthy guys at this point.  Sorry dude.

[jemagee]

Oh - Thad is on my fantasy roster right now as well and the way he's been playing he's got keeper (i only get two) written all over him, over shawn marion, right now at least.

T-mac shutting it down?  SHOCKED, I"M SHOCKED I Tell you

Of course, I have PGs who seem allergic to assists

[tk76-]

T-mac shutting it down?  SHOCKED, I"M SHOCKED I Tell you

I was really counting on him to go all 82

These next 2 weeks might get ugly, but if I can somehow stay near the top 6 I should be fine come playoff time unless too many guys shut it down early- which could happen.

If I drop out of contension I probably will become desperate and be a good trade partner.

[Skates]

My point guards are likely both out tonight in Wade and Calderon, of course expecting Wade to make all 82 games is just a dream no matter what his commercials say.  Plus I have Deron Williams in my league at work.  There is an injured PG plague I tell you.

[jemagee]

Yeah, my pgs are healthy but either not getting assists (mo williams and duhon) or getting the shaft from their coach (sessions)