I felt compelled to look to the past in Philadelphia sports in the eighth installment of the Philly Sports Stat of the Week. Being the Sixers fanatic that I am, I naturally decided to look up what the team was doing on this day, December 16, ten years ago. The box score was a blast from the past and gave me a sense of gratitude for what the current roster looks like compared to this 2012-13 team. The official Philly Sports Stat of the Week is 30. 

Nick Young, the 6’4 walking heat check put up 30 points for the Sixers in the 111-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Young, better known as Swaggy P for his evident and obnoxious confidence regarding his play style, was excellent in the game, Swaggy P’s job is to score and he put up 30 in 41 minutes of play, while 12-23 from the field, and 6-12 from behind the three-point line. 

Young had it going on despite the Sixers trailing throughout the game. Young hit a few catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Young hit multiple tough contested jump shots. Swaggy P was in his age 27 season at the time and was locking horns with an end-of-prime Kobe Bryant, who is someone Young has been a fan of and studied due to their love for contested pull-up jump shots. 

Swaggy P only spent one season with the Philadelphia 76ers and he was a fun player to watch. The type of guy that provided zany entertainment, either good or bad, due to his goofy nature. Young was part of making the 34-48 team somewhat watchable. A fun fact about this game from Swaggy P is that is his career-high for points in a game with the Sixers. 

Nick Young was a memorable player to me in his one season because of his nickname, confidence, and playground style of play. Swaggy P was just a guard that can get buckets. That was his style of play. Hopefully, you enjoyed this small break from the success of the Philadelphia Eagles to look at this shining moment for a former zany, eccentric Sixer in Nick Young.