THE FLATS – Thaddeus Young traded during Spurs’ road trip, getting settled with Raptors … Moses Wright continues to roll with G League Clippers … Marcus Georges-Hunt getting comfy with Skyhawks … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
THADDEUS YOUNG GETTING SETTLED IN TORONTO
Thaddeus Young was in a bit of a hurry to get out of the interview room here Monday night, not solely because the Raptors had been drilled by the Pelicans in their worst loss in weeks.
No, he needed to escape the Smoothie King Center because his wife and two sons were waiting to see him, and after a crazy few days every minute he could spend with them counted. Too often forgotten by fans is the fact that athletes are people with real-life concerns to deal with, and Young is living proof.
He was in the middle of a road trip with the San Antonio Spurs last Thursday when his life was turned upside down by a trade to the Raptors for Goran Dragic. While he headed north to join his new team, his wife and brother packed up the family’s home in San Antonio and arranged to have their belongings shipped to their off-season home in Dallas.
Young went from Atlanta, where the Spurs were, to Toronto for about 36 hours, then flew back south to New Orleans, where his family was waiting.
Welcome to Toronto, @yungsmoove21!
Best T Young in the league 😉 pic.twitter.com/xXUCFIRCSA
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 11, 2022
Let’s get to work, @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/qVDwn4xjMK
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 10, 2022
Welcome to the fam @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/86cJhKztir
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 12, 2022
*****
WITH WINNING MENTALITY, YOUNG SHOULDN’T HAVE TROUBLE FITTING IN WITH RAPTORS
One of the best games of Thaddeus Young’s 15-year career came in the arena he now calls home, and the newly acquired Raptors forward has no recollection of it.
The Philadelphia 76ers were visiting Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, on March 7, 2010. Young, who was 21 and in his third NBA season at the time, had been coming off the bench but got a spot start when the regular starter, Samuel Dalembert, showed up late for a team meeting.
The Georgia Tech product and former 12th-overall pick ended up playing 43 minutes that night. He hit 13 of his 18 shots, scored 32 points – which remains his career high more than a decade later – and led his team to a 114-101 road win over Toronto.
“Oh that’s crazy,” Young said, reminded of that contest. “I did not know that.”
It’s a bit unusual for a player to forget his highest-scoring game; most remember it down to the smallest and most insignificant detail. In fairness to Young, though, it’s been a while – for perspective, Chris Bosh was still a Raptor in 2009-10 and DeMar DeRozan was in his rookie season – and he’s played a lot of games. Besides, those types of things aren’t exactly top of mind for the veteran.
More coverage
- Young opens up on human side of trade deadline (DailyHive.com)
- Thaddeus Young in difficulty of learning Raptors’ schemes (Yahoo.com)
*****
GEORGES-HUNT GETS SCORING LEGS UNDER HIM
Marcus Georges-Hunt scored a season-high 22 points as the College Park Skyhawks lost to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for the second consecutive game in a high-scoring, tight affair, 137-128 on Monday.
*****
MOSES WRIGHT KEEPS ROLLING IN G LEAGUE
Moses Wright didn’t let a COVID pause when called up to Los Angeles slow him down once he resumed his 2021-22 season with the Clippers’ G League team. The 2021 ACC Player of the Year is averaging 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds over 23 games.
The ROOKIES went crazy in another dominant win for the @ACClippers! 🤝
💪 Brandon Boston Jr: 29 PTS, 13-24 FG
💪 Moses Wright: 23 PTS, 10-13 FG pic.twitter.com/yQClDa9a9w— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 12, 2022
The trio of Xavier Moon, Moses Wright, and Keaton Wallace BALLED OUT for the @ACClippers in their third consecutive win! pic.twitter.com/5E7S8f5TR0
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 10, 2022
*****
SHUMPERT FROM THE SPORTS PAGE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT PAGE
My whole heart🤎
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) February 16, 2022
“I feel closer to you.” @imanshumpert @TEYANATAYLOR 💞 #GQCouplesQuiz pic.twitter.com/M0XcudFKKU
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) February 14, 2022
.@imanshumpert got that ice on the wrist in this throwback Glambot from the #PCAs. pic.twitter.com/my3ZEUH9VL
— E! News (@enews) February 9, 2022
