Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks’ star point guard, is entering what he describes as the most important season of his career. That’s a tall order, but this season is rich with promise. In the process, he’s emerging as a playmaker and leader for a squad that mixes experienced vets with some intriguing young talent. Since then, Young has taken over the NBA by storm. Foul or no foul, he’s inexcusably dribbled an astounding 226,906 more times than everyone else in the league combined over that span. This season, he’s willing to surrender some of his scoring. By getting his teammates paid, he would shift the balance of power to his court.
Young’s path has taken him to covering professional teams in other leagues before his breakout with the NBA. He reported on the New York Giants, Jets, and the NFL since 2006, and spent nearly a decade covering the Nets and Knicks. This unique path has given him a varied perspective on both the fundamentals of the game and the intricacies of team sports.
As the Hawks get ready for the new season, Young’s excitement is hard to miss. That’s why Scheifele hasn’t stopped grinning over the course of training camp. He’s thrilled at the opportunity to work with returners, as well as rookies Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher, along with Onyeka Okongwu.
A New Role for Trae Young
Young recognizes there is a greater need for evolution in today’s game. His overall scoring average dropped from 29.6 points per game in 2019-20 to 24.2 last season. He’s planning to play more off-ball this season, making it easier for him to pass and then get the ball back for better shots. This change affords him to move in the direction of his bigger vision of creating a more cohesive culture on the team.
Young admitted that he’s unable to ignore the outside pressures and criticisms that are hanging over him like a dark cloud. On social media, or by word of mouth, folks get the wrong impression just because they misinterpret us,” he added. What is clear is that he is determined to show all the naysayers that they are wrong.
He acknowledged that winning is the ultimate goal, saying, “I understand Baker, when they say, he’s a hothead [or] he’s crazy. Then when you’re winning, now he’s a dawg. He’s competitive. The whole perspective changes just because you win. That’s my main focus. I just want to win.
Navigating Challenges and Expectations
Now with the playoffs just around the corner, Young isn’t worried about his lack of a contract extension. He knows that some things are out of his hands but, as much as he might miss that, he urges me to live in the moment. “As much as I wish it was, it’s not all in my hands and I can’t control everything,” he explained. “I just can only control the present. And I know that when we win, everybody eats… I get what winning feels like.
With coach Quin Snyder’s help, Young has become one of the best leaders in college basketball. Snyder remarked on Young’s game management skills: “I thought he managed the game as well as I’ve seen him manage a game late.” Such recognition further validates Young’s budding position as an NFL Swiss army knife.
Young also speaks on the myths about him. “A lot of people have the wrong idea about me,” he said. He chuckled, recognizing just how quickly the winds of public perception can shift. “I mean, shit, it doesn’t look good today to me,” he continued, indicating his own understanding of how quickly and easily the money narrative can flip.
Blending Generations for Success
The Hawks’ dichotomy this season has been introducing their veterans while developing their young talent. Young’s mission, seen here on a field trip. He’ll have to coach rookies like Johnson, sure, but keep the pros like Jackson and Campbell engaged and productive. Striking the right balance between these two sides of the brain is crucial to the team’s success.
Young is indeed hoping that this year is special and different from all the other years—as special personally and professionally as it is for him. “I go into every season thinking it is my most important one,” he stated. “This one feels special and is definitely the biggest season for me.”
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