THE FLATS – Off-season rumors begin to swirl around Thaddeus Young, Josh Okogie … Okogie doing community work … The day Larry Bird taught John Salley a lesson … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OFF-SEASON SPECULATION ABOUT THADDEUS YOUNG
The Toronto Raptors made a very risky maneuver when they gave up a first-round pick for a 33-year-old player having his worst season in Thad Young. It took all of a few weeks for the Raptors to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they got one over on the San Antonio Spurs.
Young averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. While that doesn’t sound like eye-popping production, the value he brought to the team as a connector and glue guy on the bench was one of the main reasons that Toronto was able to stay hot amid a host of injuries.
Young has accomplished a ton in his career, but a ring has escaped him. He will prioritize getting that elusive first ring when picking his next destination. If Toronto’s pitch to Young that features him as the greybeard switchblade off of the bench doesn’t win him over, he’s as good as gone.
The Raptors not only need to worry about Chris Boucher leaving them at the altar, but they need to be aware of Young potentially deciding to join a ready-made winner. These three teams might give Toronto the most friction and competition when it comes time to fight for Young’s services.
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THE DAY LARRY BIRD TAUGHT JOHN SALLEY A LESSON
Here’s an impressive player comp: Luka Doncic and Larry Bird.
“I would be afraid to play against Luka. That’s how good he is,” former NBA player John Salley said recently on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “Larry Bird would put fear in me like Luka does.”
And Salley recalls a time Bird instilled that fear.
“Larry gets in the game one time, and for some reason (Detroit Pistons coach) Chuck Daly puts me in,” Salley said.
Here’s the exchange between Salley and Bird.
Bird: “You on me?”
Salley: “I say, ‘Yeah, I got size on you.'”
Bird: “Y’all not double teaming me? (while looking around for a second defender)”
Salley: ‘Nah, it’s just me.”
Bird: “Mouse in the house!”
Salley continued: “They change the play, he shoots and says, ‘You better ask for a double team, bruh.'”
Salley said he just happened to pick up a couple of fouls soon afterward and got benched.
More from the Indianapolis Star
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OKOGIE CHATS WITH STUDENTS ABOUT NFT’S AND BASKETBALL
Timberwolves small forward Josh Okogie stopped in at Highland Park High School to chat with students about technology, it’s importance and a form of digital art called a non-fungible token, or NFT.
The person who produces the art owns it, and it can be bought and sold.
Okogie’s teammate, Timberwolves power forward Jarred Vanderbilt also chatted with the students virtually.
Okogie is entering his fifth season in the NBA, all with Minnesota.
The Timberwolves just hired one of the top front office executives in the league in Tim Connelly, formely with the Denver Nuggets. That move has created some buzz with players like Okogie with the direction the Wolves are headed.
“Just seeing his track record and what he’s done over in Denver, I’m definitely excited for that,” said Okogie. “I feel like this past season was a stepping stone into the future for sure.”
