Former Pacer Joe Young is eyeing an NBA comeback and how he can help teams win now

Joe Young was last seen in an Indiana Pacers’ uniform during the 2017-18 NBA season. After spending time overseas, Young has joined the New Orleans Pelicans’ G-League affiliate, Birmingham Squadron, with eyes set on an NBA comeback.

Young was also seen playing for the Washington Wizards during the 2021-22 NBA preseason.

Former Indiana Pacers point guard, Joe Young, joined me to discuss his mindset and work ethic in staying prepared for NBA competition. Also, how the G-League has helped him grow as a player.

Q: How has the G-League helped you with your game during your stint with the Squadron this year? Have there been any challenges?

"“It has helped me a lot. I get to come back (to the NBA) and see how it has changed – it feels good to be down here and help these younger guys develop their game as well.Of course, it is a challenge, but I know I belong in the league. People getting the 10-day hardship contracts makes me want to work harder and help lead these young kids even more”."

Leadership was a big takeaway from this conversation. With teams leaning more on hardship deals at this point in the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 issues, experience and leadership are valuable factors when looking at players to bring in.

A similar story has been what Keifer Sykes has provided the Indiana Pacers this season. However, Sykes’ experience came mostly from overseas play.

After Brad Wannamaker’s struggles in the point guard role, Sykes was called up from the Mad Ants and earned a fully guaranteed deal after his high-level production for the Indiana Pacers.

For Young, he has a perspective on both styles of play throughout his career thus far.

Starting with the Pacers and making his way overseas for a few seasons, his unique experience could be useful to teams that are bringing in many new players this year.

Q: As someone who has played at the NBA level before, spending three seasons with the Indiana Pacers, What is your mindset and work ethic like when continuing to stay ready for the speed of the NBA?

"“The mindset is you have to work harder and harder every day, it has to be your main focus and controlling the things you can control. I had a slow start in the G-League this year, but now I am all caught up.I have the speed of the game and my quickness back, it feels amazing. I am going to keep pushing, I feel good right now and I am just going to stay positive. I know I belong in the league so I just have to stay confident and continue to lead”."

Young is finding a rhythm as the G-League season returns after a short postponement.

On Jan. 8th, 2022, Young scored 27 points (10/15), 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals in the Squadron’s close loss to the Iowa Wolves.

He was also able to hit three of his six shot attempts from behind the arc.

Q: You’re averaging 27 PPG and shooting just over 42% from three with Birmingham since the G-League season’s restart, How would you describe your style of play at this point in your career?

"“I can make plays and score the ball, but the thing I really got better at is my defense. I can put pressure 94 feet on any guard and just be annoying. I want to show that on the defensive end I can help bring that energy when it is needed.It is good that we got to start the season over. (It feels like) it is time to go, time to show who you are as a person, as a player, and continue to show these teams that I belong”."

Later in our conversation, Joe Young details how he can help NBA teams win right now and what it would mean to him to see his work pay off, in an NBA return.

Q: You are a point guard with multiple seasons of NBA experience with the Indiana Pacers, how can your game assist a team that is looking for extra help with production out of that role right now?

"“In the NBA, they want to see the point guards with high intensity and especially picking up any player full court.That is what I can bring to a team, scoring and playmaking, but the number one thing I can bring is intensity and great defense – great pressure 94 feet. To bring high energy to a team is what I am promoting”."

There is no question that Young brings intensity to the defensive end of the ball. He leads the Squadron in steals per game since the season restart, averaging 2.3.

Not only does he lead the team in steals per game, but he also leads in three-point percentage  (min 1.0) at 44%, free-throw percentage 85%, and is tied for the lowest turnovers at .07 per.

Q: What would it mean to you to make a return to the NBA?

"“It would mean a lot and just add to my story. It would show that I never gave up, I’ve always been the underdog and I was a late bloomer. If I were to get back in (the league) It would mean a lot to me.I am married with kids, so to show them that when you never give up even when you go through a lot of adversity trying to get back in (the NBA) you have to look at yourself in the mirror but continue to push.That’s why I am doing this, to show my kids to not give up on your dreams”."

An emotional moment to see his hard work pay off sums up what getting a call to return to the NBA would mean to him and his family.

On Jan. 6th, 2022, Young had his best game of the season with the Squadron. He totaled 40 points (13/23) – 56.5%, including hitting 7 of his 10 attempts from behind the arc.

Along with his scoring output, he added 3 assists, 3 steals, and even a blocked shot. Here is what Myles Turner had to say about his game:

It is hard not to agree with Myles. As Young mentioned, his defensive intensity has been a factor in each game he’s played since the return of the season.

Young is no stranger to high-scoring output either, back in 2020, he scored a career-high 74 points (27-50 FG, 6-11 3P, 14-15 FT) vs Shandong while playing overseas.

That was the 3rd best scoring output in CBA history. He had 8 steals in the game on top of his insane scoring output. This is not new to Joe.

Q: Myles Turner gave praise to you on Instagram for your 40 point game earlier this week, What does it mean to you to see former teammates showing support across different media platforms?

"“That means a lot, that’s my brother. We were drafted in the same draft class and we have been reaching out to each other ever since. He is big to me man, he keeps me motivated and after every game, he reaches out.To see him succeed and grow is amazing to me, he is mature and blocking every shot. You know, I used to call him a star, but now he is a superstar. I thank Myles for that, to get the support is just amazing”."

Young will continue to play this season for the Birmingham Squadron. With the ongoing issues with COVID-19 throughout the NBA right now, teams are going to need extra hands to help them this season.

Young’s leadership and prior NBA experience with the Indiana Pacers will put him in a spot to be able to join an NBA team when needed and make an impact right away.

If given the opportunity, he will be ready for the challenge and prepared to showcase his abilities at the NBA level.