sh0ck wrote:Chi town wrote:sh0ck wrote:A few thoughts on Trae Young
I don't believe in the Steph Curry comps. But I really do like the Steve Nash comps. He plays at a similar pace like Steve (with similar usage as well). Steph Curry's amazing ability to play off the ball isn't taken in account a lot of the time. Trae is a bit of a floater without the ball, never making cuts and never moving out of his spacing zones. Curry is incredibly active off the ball, weaving through screens, popping out on the weakside, or getting layups on give and goes.
Trae plays at his own pace, and has a boom/bust mentality when passing or shooting. Nash was kind of similar at the height of his run.
As for the defense. I think defense at the PG position is very overrated. The NBA is all about ball screens and using the Point Guard off of the pick/roll. As long as Trae doesn't allow guys to completely blow by him on the ball, or back cut him off the ball, he'll be fine for today's game. There will be times where bigger wings will do a pick/roll to get isolation on him (similar to what the Bulls did with Jimmy and IT during the Boston matchups), but he'll be fine if he puts on a little more weight and just competes.
I think he's a very boom or bust type of prospect and would benefit from a second ball handler (at the wing) and motion system that would work to get him open looks. To me, the Bulls are a pretty good fit because I think Dunn is a good compliment, and the Bulls run a lot of actions off the ball for shots. And having a creative point guard that changes the pull of the floor will help Lauri get more looks. But I have no idea what that would mean for LaVine.
Ultimately, I wouldn't hate the pick, but I think there are guys I like better than Young.
But he doesn't compete. I also think that PG defense is one of the most important in the league. Whether that be by the PG on the PG or in the PnR switch.
I like the Nash comp but I think he will be abused on defense. In the end I think his 3 ball, passing, and FTs will make him efficient enough to make up for it but I am fully expecting him to be near league worst defenders and negatively impact his team due to his D.
I do agree that he could fit next to Dunn and he would help Lauri alot IMO.
PG defense is no where near the importance of Wing defense and Big defense.
Granted it helps to have a good defender at PG to slow down the point of attack with opposing PGs, ultimately it is more important to protect the rim and stop the incredible isolation wings in this league (LeBron, Harden, KD).
Take a look at the elite PGs in this league. Very few of them are plus individual defenders.
Non-plus defenders - Lillard, Irving, Curry, Westbrook, and Kemba
Plus defenders - CP3
Average defenders - Lowry
Lillard has improved drastically. Russ is not a good defender? Curry has become a solid team defender as has Irving and Kemba. They aren't lock down but they def are not Trae Young turnstyle.
CP3 is the only plus PG defender in the league? What about Dunn and Elf? Bledsoe? Lonzo def is.
Wing defense is important but not so much in ISO. No one can defend Harden Lebron or KD. ISO is becoming so rare much like post offense with a big... most ISO is just PnR.
I'd argue that PnR defense is now jsut as important as rim protection. Ability to switch for a big onto a small and contain and contest is important. That's why I think JJJ will be so good.