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A 13-10 start to the Atlanta Hawks’ season has not come without drama, as league sources say the team is managing simmering issues between its head coach and star player. Those issues culminated in a telltale moment inside the Hawks’ practice facility on Friday.

Hawks All-NBA guard Trae Young and coach Nate McMillan had an exchange at Friday’s shootaround that led to Young choosing not to attend the team’s home win over Denver at State Farm Arena, sources with knowledge of the situation tell The Athletic.

While Young was receiving treatment on his right shoulder, sources say McMillan asked him whether he would participate in shootaround, receive treatment during walk-through and play in the game against the Nuggets. But Young made it clear that he wanted to focus solely on his treatment while missing shootaround and deciding later in the day whether he would play.

That approach, however, was not McMillan approved. Since the face of the Hawks’ franchise was deciding not to take part in shootaround, McMillan ultimately presented him with two options for that night’s game, sources said: Play off the bench — or do not show up to the arena. Young responded by saying he would not be playing against the Nuggets, and the team ruled him out while citing right shoulder soreness.

...this issue is a microcosm of tension that exists among Young, McMillan and the locker room. The Hawks have held multiple team meetings early this season to resolve various conflicts, sources with knowledge of the situation said.

For Young, whose strained relationship with former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce played a large role in his firing in March 2021, it’s the latest sensitive situation that has caused many people within the Hawks to question Young’s leadership approach.

Executives across the league who have heard about the Hawks’ behind-the-scenes issues wonder what this means for the future of McMillan. With the team currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, sources with knowledge of the situation said McMillan’s job is safe. As all involved are well aware, Young and McMillan will need to reinvigorate their relationship moving forward if the Hawks are going to become a true contender again. And key personnel around the team believe that Young simply must find a way to become a more productive and positive face of the franchise.

Analyst delivers scathing report on Atlanta Hawks star

‘Nobody likes’ Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, says analyst



“I’ve spoken to a few people around the league,” said Morten Jensen on ‘The NBA Podcast’, “and the sense that I’m getting – or what I’m also being told outright – is that nobody likes him. Like, even external players outside of the Hawks are not interested in playing with him. There is basically this sense that Trae is what you call a ‘selfish unselfish’ passer.”

“He has the reputation as an unselfish passer,” Jensen continued. “But he clearly has an agenda that he wants to dictate. He is not exactly a leader – he’s not someone who will get everyone with him.”

Jensen said that it’s possible Young changes his playing style to be more teammate-friendly while citing John Collins’ diminished usage as an example.

“A point guard like Trae Young should be able to recognize the benefit of a John Collins but continually doesn’t,” Jensen concluded of the Collins-Young dynamic.

Jensen’s co-host Bryan Toporek compared the situation to NFL quarterbacks Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos who have both been in the news for ruffling the feathers of current and/or former teammates.

Jamaaliver wrote:...I applaud him for putting some boundaries on Trae...

Jamaaliver wrote:I don't believe Nate is the long term coach for this squad, but I applaud him for putting some boundaries on Trae. It's a weird stupid ultimatum, but it's also indicative of larger issues regarding Trae's leadership.

There seems to be one common denominator regarding all the tension and drama the team has experienced the last few years...Trae.

Trae Young is the problem.

And I don't think it's limited to this locker room.

Jamaaliver wrote:I don't believe Nate is the long term coach for this squad, but I applaud him for putting some boundaries on Trae. It's a weird stupid ultimatum, but it's also indicative of larger issues regarding Trae's leadership.

There seems to be one common denominator regarding all the tension and drama the team has experienced the last few years...Trae.

Trae Young is the problem.

And I don't think it's limited to this locker room.

that McMillan’s rigid offensive philosophies were “at the heart of McMillan's firing.” This was a complaint that was common from fans; year-over-year, it appeared as if the Pacers ran the same, stagnant offense that didn’t have the necessary deception or complication to be elite.

McMillan often encouraged his guys to take open looks, even if they were from areas that aren’t statistically efficient. That limits the ceiling of an offensive unit, even if the players are talented. Indiana has ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts per game throughout McMillan’s tenure as a results of this; they traded three-point looks for mid-range shots more often than most teams.

The simple nature of McMillan’s sets combined with his outdated, low three-point attempt philosophy meant that the Pacers scarcely were a dangerous offensive team. The blue and gold ranked 16th, 11th, 18th, and 19th in offensive rating during the McMillan era. The bland offense was simply never good enough.

The McMillan years were instead defined by impressive defense and unwavering effort. The Pacers often out-worked opponents in regular season games under their former coach, which gave them an advantage. But in the postseason, when teams are giving it their all on every possession, that edge went away, making it harder for the Pacers to gain enough other advantages to win games. Without the postseason success, and other issues at play, the front office decided to go in a different direction with their head coach.

jayu70 wrote:Ultimately Nate will be fired for the same reasons he was fire in Indy

that McMillan’s rigid offensive philosophies were “at the heart of McMillan's firing.” This was a complaint that was common from fans; year-over-year, it appeared as if the Pacers ran the same, stagnant offense that didn’t have the necessary deception or complication to be elite.

McMillan often encouraged his guys to take open looks, even if they were from areas that aren’t statistically efficient. That limits the ceiling of an offensive unit, even if the players are talented. Indiana has ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts per game throughout McMillan’s tenure as a results of this; they traded three-point looks for mid-range shots more often than most teams.

The simple nature of McMillan’s sets combined with his outdated, low three-point attempt philosophy meant that the Pacers scarcely were a dangerous offensive team. The blue and gold ranked 16th, 11th, 18th, and 19th in offensive rating during the McMillan era. The bland offense was simply never good enough.

The McMillan years were instead defined by impressive defense and unwavering effort. The Pacers often out-worked opponents in regular season games under their former coach, which gave them an advantage. But in the postseason, when teams are giving it their all on every possession, that edge went away, making it harder for the Pacers to gain enough other advantages to win games. Without the postseason success, and other issues at play, the front office decided to go in a different direction with their head coach.

Jamaaliver wrote:

jayu70 wrote:Ultimately Nate will be fired for the same reasons he was fire in Indy

that McMillan’s rigid offensive philosophies were “at the heart of McMillan's firing.” This was a complaint that was common from fans; year-over-year, it appeared as if the Pacers ran the same, stagnant offense that didn’t have the necessary deception or complication to be elite.

McMillan often encouraged his guys to take open looks, even if they were from areas that aren’t statistically efficient. That limits the ceiling of an offensive unit, even if the players are talented. Indiana has ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts per game throughout McMillan’s tenure as a results of this; they traded three-point looks for mid-range shots more often than most teams.

The simple nature of McMillan’s sets combined with his outdated, low three-point attempt philosophy meant that the Pacers scarcely were a dangerous offensive team. The blue and gold ranked 16th, 11th, 18th, and 19th in offensive rating during the McMillan era. The bland offense was simply never good enough.

The McMillan years were instead defined by impressive defense and unwavering effort. The Pacers often out-worked opponents in regular season games under their former coach, which gave them an advantage. But in the postseason, when teams are giving it their all on every possession, that edge went away, making it harder for the Pacers to gain enough other advantages to win games. Without the postseason success, and other issues at play, the front office decided to go in a different direction with their head coach.

Where is this from?

Is there a link?

jayu70 wrote:

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Jamaaliver wrote:Holy cow, I haven't seen this corroborated anywhere else.

But if true...good lord. Things are worse than we thought.

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