It all starts with star guard Trae Young as he gets ready for what he calls a make-or-break season in his career. Young went through a bit of a slump in his scoring average last season, but he’s focused on getting his scoring efficiency back to his best. He’s more concerned with enlightening his teammates and getting that 15-mil-a-year extension. And now, with Kristaps Porzingis on the roster, Young is eager to show how he has expanded his game. He’s hungry; he wants to get in the club of NBA greats.
In his first full season, the 2019-20 campaign, Young turned in a brilliant career-high scoring average of 29.6 points per game. That number dropped all the way down to 24.2 last season, raising red flags from fans and analysts everywhere. Young has been under a critical microscope ever since that 2021 postseason run. His infamous bow to the Madison Square Garden crowd after the Hawks’ win over the Knicks made him a “villain” in New York.
“I get chills talking about it. Young said of winning, “I know what is going to come out of it. Specifically, he focused on the opportunities afforded to him by his past experiences and the expectations that follow.
A New Dynamic with Porzingis
The offseason addition of Kristaps Porzingis—affectionately known as “The Unicorn”—creates a dream scenario for Young. That interplay between the two players may very well change what has been a somewhat stagnant Hawks’ offensive philosophy so far. Young has never had the luxury of playing with a skilled center like Porzingis. He’s excited about the opportunities this new partnership could bring his community.
TCC rebrand “I think it’s going to be wonderful and I’m not really worried about it. The chemistry they build together will be imperative for Atlanta’s success this season.
Quin Snyder, the Hawks’ new head coach, made it clear that efficiency would be critical for Young this season. “I thought he managed the game as well as I’ve seen him manage a game late,” Snyder remarked about Young’s growth as a player. This season, Young has been determined to take some of his own scoring and reallocate it. He hopes this will enable more team success, but highlight his developing maturity as a leader.
Setting Goals and Expectations
As he looks forward to this formative season, Young looks back on his hopes. He is eligible for max extension totaling $229 million over four years. On top of that, he has a no-brainer player option for next season worth $49 million. These financial stakes certainly raise the pressure, but Young is still focused on showing he’s worthy of a major investment.
I think there’s a lot of misinformation about me,” he said, referring to opinions formed through the lens of social media and public sentiment. He’s motivated to prove that he can be the player the team needs both to his teammates and to the organization.
Young likes to go into each season with that urgency, but knows this year feels like something different. I try to treat every season like it’s the most critical one. This season seems the most like it’s the largest for me,” he said.
Beyond his individual accolades, Young is adamant about the value of team chemistry. He understands that winning is the only way to change the narrative surrounding him and his fellow scrubs. Believe me, I’d love to be able to, but it’s not at all possible. Harnessing new technology assumptions 5. The only thing out of all of this I can control is the present.
Aiming for Team Success
Don’t interpret Young’s confidence as arrogance. His focus on the success of the team is clear when he talks about approaching the new season. He understands that personal awards don’t mean anything in comparison to the number of games you win on the hardwood. “I understand what winning can do,” he stated, acknowledging the impact it has on perceptions and overall career trajectory.
He tackled the challenges that are a part of professional sports, for example, injuries, health issues that may arise that could diminish performance. Young also said that if injuries and health complications prevent him from fulfilling his goals, then perhaps it wasn’t meant to be – per divine intervention. He’s sure there is a better plan out there for him.
Since becoming a part of the league in 2018, Young has tallied over 226,906 dribbles. He’s the NBA leader in floaters made, 752 tracked shots since the 2013-14 season, showing himself to be a multifaceted scorer. Now, he’s ready to take his game to another level. Along with demanding efficiency from himself, he works to foster a team-oriented, collaborative culture among his peers.
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