INDIANAPOLIS -- Joseph Young has been really impressing the Indiana Pacers in his short time with the team. Young may have been a mid-2nd round pick, but the team believes that he can make an instant impact in his rookie season. Even in Young's first practice with the team he was showing signs of great ability.
The Pacers' first practice for the Orlando Summer League was on Wednesday (July 1st). Young impressed Pacers' head coach Frank Vogel, however, he was only able to participate in the first hour and a half of the practice. Joseph Young had to stop because a stomach aillmant was bothering him too badly.
Frank Vogel told the Pacers' official website about Joseph Young's Wednesday practice:
"For a half hour he looked really good, honestly," Vogel said. "We all got really excited, with the shot-making and his speed. It was a quick half-hour or so, but we were all left wanting more."
The Pacers want to play faster and score more points, sounds like a perfect description of Joseph Young. He may not be the best defender, but he has a very versatile offensive skill set and the intangibles to be a great defender. With some work with the Pacers' coaching staff, Joseph Young could develop into a quality all-around starter one day.
Dan Burke told the Pacers' official website about why he believes Joseph Young will fit the team's new system:
"He's got some speed," Burke said. "He gets it up quick, he finds guys, his eyes are always up...defensively we'll have to see, but I think he's got a lot of pit bull in him and I think he's going to help us from what little I've seen."
With all of the build-up around Joseph Young, many people have been really wanting to see him play on Saturday (July 4th) in the Pacers' first Summer League game. Unfortunately, Joseph Young won't be playing in the team's first Summer League game due to a stomach illness.
Since participating in only the first hour and a half of Wednesday's practice, Young was unable to participate in practice on either Thursday or Friday. However, Young did participate in an individual workout late on Friday. Joseph Young did travel with the team to Orlando, but he is not expected to play in the team's first game.
Joseph Young will see how he feels in Orlando, but he is expected to play in the team's second Summer League game. This kind of works out from an individual evaluation stand-point since Solomon Hill is suppossed to only play in the first and third games of the Summer League. Regardless of when Joseph Young plays, expect him to put on a show.