Thaddeus Young Sounds Like He Too Is Baffled By Jim Boylen's Systems

Jul 7, 2020

Lauri Markkanen spoke a couple of months ago about his confusion on how Jim Boylen wants to use him. Rather than be a shooter who can space the floor, the Chicago Bulls head coach has asked him to become more of a primary rebounder. Something that was never a major strength of his game. Coaches, the good ones anyway, aren’t prone to asking their players to do things they’re not typically strong at. It seems Thaddeus Young shares some of that confusion.

The NBA veteran joined the Bulls this past offseason in hopes of helping out their front court. All things considered, the results up until the work stoppage were disappointing. Young averaged 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Both career-lows outside of his rookie season. Was this about him just getting old or something else?

During an interview with AAU Sports, he was asked what it was like adapting to the Bulls’ style. His response revealed more than he probably intended.

“The Bulls’ style of play is different than any other team that I’ve kind of been on. Mostly because what they’ve done is kind of changed it to where it’s a lot of threes and layups as opposed to an overall game. So I see myself as kind of the in-between guy who helps get those guys the shots and do all the dirty work.”

Thaddeus Young has seen a lot of basketball

Understand that Young has played in the NBA since 2007. He played on four different teams prior to arriving in Chicago. He’s seen what most offensive and defensive systems look like. So for him to say Boylen is employing something so different isn’t the most welcome sign. His words hint at a scheme that is overly simplistic and lacks attention to detail.

This would fall in line with the rumors that have followed Boylen to long before he even got to Chicago. He constantly comes across as a guy who is constantly out of his depth when it comes to managing games and crafting game plans. Young will never come out directly and say his true feelings. He’s too much of a team guy for that. Still, those comments shed more light on how bad the coaching situation is.