Playing or not, it’s the same old Young
PORTLAND, Ore. — By now, the routine has become familiar.
The doors will open to the Spurs’ practice gym near the end of a shootaround session, and visitors will see at least one player still on the floor, getting up extra shots and seemingly unwilling to go home.
For Thad Young, NBA longevity can be summed up in a bit of fortune-cookie wisdom.
“A 15-year career, you don’t be here just by being here,” Young said. “You’re here because of a level of consistency, a level of professionalism and a level of always being ready. For me, that’s what’s it’s always been about.”
The 33-year-old Young lived out this philosophy in mid-november, when Jakob Poeltl’s stint in health and safety protocols meant an uptick in his own minutes.
Young continued to put in the work after Poeltl returned and his workload diminished to five or six minutes a night.
Young’s readiness paid off for the Spurs on Monday, when coach Gregg Popovich called on him for 13 minutes against Washington. He played a key role in the 116-99 victory, with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Afterward, Popovich singled out Young for unprompted praise.
“It’s great having Jakob back because he does so many good things,” Popovich said, “but Thaddeus was fantastic with his minutes.”
Mired behind backup center Drew Eubanks in the Spurs’ big man rotation, Young saw more than eight minutes of action Monday for the first time since Poeltl returned.
He has kept himself ready by — in his words — “doing things that a 15-year veteran shouldn’t be doing.”
“I’m playing 3-on-3, getting some runs in with some of the guys that aren’t playing so much, as well as with some of the coaches,” Young said. “Staying after practice and getting shots up, doing conditioning, just staying ready.”
Young has not surrendered hope of contributing this season, if not for the Spurs then for another team.
He remains a prime target to be moved to a contender before the February trade deadline. If that doesn’t happen, it would not be surprising to see the Spurs buy out what is left of Young’s $14.2 million contract and allow him to become a free agent.
In the meantime, Young vows his come-early-and-stay-late approach to the job will not change.
“I am working each and every day, just like year one,” Young said. “It’s hours and hours of preparation to be able to play this game. The day I feel I can’t do it anymore, that’s when I retire.
“But I am still able to play the game at a high level, and I don’t mind putting in the work.”
Mcdermott, Vassell nearing their return
Doug Mcdermott and Devin Vassell, who have been nursing injuries, joined the Spurs on the three-game road trip that begins Thursday in Portland.
There is optimism both might return to face the Trail Blazers.
Mcdermott has missed the past four games dealing with right knee inflammation.
The 29-year-old has started all 12 games in which he has appeared, averaging 10.4 points and making a team-best 43.9 percent from 3-point range.
Vassell left a Nov. 24 loss to Atlanta after taking a knee to the right quadriceps in the second half. He missed the two games since with a contusion.
Vassell, 21, is averaging 12.2 points off the bench in his second NBA season. His 6.7-point increase in scoring average from last season is the fourth-best in the NBA.