Mixed emotions for Raptors’ vet Young going into Philly series

TSN Raptors Reporter

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TORONTO – It’s going to be something of a homecoming for Thaddeus Young when he steps onto the court at Well Fargo Center for Game 1 of Toronto’s first-round playoff series with Philadelphia on Saturday.

The Raptors’ veteran forward started his 15-year NBA career with the 76ers, who selected him with the 12th-overall pick in the 2007 draft. He spent his first seven seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. That’s where he made his playoff debut and ultimately won his first postseason series in 2012, as part of a young up-and-coming Sixers team that included Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala.

He’s got plenty of fond memories from his life-changing time in Philly, both on and off the court.

“Honestly, that's where I grew up,” Young said. “That's where I went from being a boy to a man. I started my family there, married my wife, [had my] two kids. I went from being a kid, getting drafted seven days after turning 19 years old, and then to leave there at 26 and go to another team, it was definitely a hard situation for me because I thought I would always be there.”

“Philly will always be another home for me. I still talk to people that sit courtside. I still talk to some of the people that work in the organization all the time. They're family, but at the end of the day I'm with Toronto Raptors now and this is my new family. And I have to make sure that my new family is gonna get this win and get this series.”

The Raptors acquired Young from San Antonio in exchange for Goran Dragic ahead of the February trade deadline. It was an exchange of veteran players on expiring contracts that had fallen out of favour with their former clubs. The cost for Toronto was moving down 13 or 14