Trae has to grow up...or he'll be the next to go

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 6:28 pm

Hawks star Trae Young needs to alter his game following Nate McMillan's firing, or he could be next to go

It's also the job of the next coach to get through to Young

The Altanta Hawks fired Nate McMillan on Tuesday, and it was a long time coming. Coach apologists are going to say McMillan is a scapegoat. He isn't. If you can't pull a top-10 offense, at a bare minimum, out of a team led by Trae Young, you've got to go.

That said, Young has some culpability here, too, and if he isn't willing to change his game for the next coach that comes in, he could be the next guy heading out of Atlanta. This isn't about Young's shooting, which is appreciably down this season and has never been as good as his reputation would suggest. This is about his continued disinterest in being an active off-ball participant.

Part of a coach's job, of course, is to sell the best player on a system that benefits the whole, the way that Steve Kerr did with Stephen Curry...The hope is that a new coach will be able to open Young's mind to a different way, and in turn, maximize the Hawks offensively. Frankly, Young could end up requesting a trade before Atlanta might ever look to move him on its own. Surely you could make a case that the winds are starting to blow that way. McMillan is the second coach he's clashed with.

The Hawks want this to work with Young. Firing McMillan is their first step in trying to make that happen. If Young doesn't change, however, and the next coach produces the same disappointing results, what then? Will Young ever buy into a role that asks him not just to concede some control (which he has proven willing to do with Murray), but actually to do something other than spatially spectate in these moments?

It takes real commitment to put the energy in to move, consistently and at full speed, off the ball without a guarantee that you'll get it back. Does Young possess the kind of humility required to run away from the ball, if only for the purpose of taking defenders with him? That kind of genuine interest in winning on someone else's terms is a rare trait in such exceedingly talented players who have every right to believe they are always the best option. It's hard for a player like Young to see, especially when the Hawks were the second-best offense in the league just a year ago.

The Hawks were rolled out of the first round by Miami last season because Young was forced to give up the ball and then didn't serve as anything other than a statue once he did so.

Bottom line: In today's NBA, it might be impossible to win at the highest level without thinking, and playing, more collectively.

The Hawks do have capable players in this regard. Onyeka Okongwu is a good passing and screening big, a more graceful Kevon Looney if you will. De'Andre Hunter has ball skills. Obviously, Murray does, too. But Young is the sun. Everything revolves around him. If he doesn't buy in, nobody will. At this point, Atlanta will have to start imagining a new life without the guy they long ago planned on leading them into what was supposed to be a bright future.

CBS Sports

jayu70 · Post #2 » by **jayu70** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 7:07 pm

CBS article from Dec 7th....these writers are flighty.
And just to be clear, I'm not absolving Trae for his own short comings.

Speaking of that coaching change, Nate McMillan was the greatest beneficiary of that 2021 run. He inherited, first and foremost, a healthy roster that Lloyd Pierce never enjoyed. Things took off from there. He was rewarded with a four-year contract, but Atlanta's play after that postseason run has never validated McMillan as a true difference-maker. At some point, he will have to answer for that aforementioned bottom-10 offense, a ranking that should be nearly impossible with Young at the helm.

It's hard to even say McMillan has instituted any kind of offensive system. Any shot the Hawks get is a result of individual creation, almost entirely by either Young or Murray. The Hawks make the fewest passes per game in the league by a wide margin, and their off-ball movement is virtually nonexistent. Young still hasn't committed to that aspect of his game, and that's on him, but to be fair McMillan hasn't implemented the kind of impromptu screening and cutting culture required to make the movement of a player like Young consistently worthwhile. It takes everyone working together and in anticipation to free up a shooter, not just one guy running around.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trae-young-gives-hawks-a-punchers-chance-now-but-their-real-window-should-open-in-a-few-years/amp/

Geaux_Hawks · Post #3 » by **Geaux_Hawks** » Thu Feb 23, 2023 2:37 pm

jayu70 wrote:CBS article from Dec 7th....these writers are flighty.
And just to be clear, I'm not absolving Trae for his own short comings.
Speaking of that coaching change, Nate McMillan was the greatest beneficiary of that 2021 run. He inherited, first and foremost, a healthy roster that Lloyd Pierce never enjoyed. Things took off from there. He was rewarded with a four-year contract, but Atlanta's play after that postseason run has never validated McMillan as a true difference-maker. At some point, he will have to answer for that aforementioned bottom-10 offense, a ranking that should be nearly impossible with Young at the helm.

It's hard to even say McMillan has instituted any kind of offensive system. Any shot the Hawks get is a result of individual creation, almost entirely by either Young or Murray. The Hawks make the fewest passes per game in the league by a wide margin, and their off-ball movement is virtually nonexistent. Young still hasn't committed to that aspect of his game, and that's on him, but to be fair McMillan hasn't implemented the kind of impromptu screening and cutting culture required to make the movement of a player like Young consistently worthwhile. It takes everyone working together and in anticipation to free up a shooter, not just one guy running around.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trae-young-gives-hawks-a-punchers-chance-now-but-their-real-window-should-open-in-a-few-years/amp/

It's all for the clicks. It's crazy how the more we shifted towards Nate's way of doing things, the more it became a thing that Trae is a selfish, iso heavy ball hog. Yet he still is among the leaders for assist in the league, despite being on the team that passes the ball the least amount of times.

jayu70 · Post #4 » by **jayu70** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:16 pm

Interesting info on Pierce:

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:41 pm

The Young Family definitely in their feelings this week...

Read on Twitter

jayu70 · Post #6 » by **jayu70** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:53 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:The Young Family definitely in their feelings this week...

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Read on Twitter

?s=20
Keep raising your young men Ray.

Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Mar 7, 2023 6:06 pm

I've been impressed by the buy-in from Trae this pastw eek. The results may have been disappointing, but the process of working to become a two way player (and a more disciplined scorer) is clearly underway.

I really liked what I saw from him in the second game against Miami this past Monday.

Post #8 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Mar 9, 2023 3:20 am

That shot discipline is noticeably improving...

Read on Twitter

Post #9 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 3:44 pm

Read on Twitter

Post #10 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:15 pm

And improved defensive effort...

Read on Twitter

Post #11 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:51 am

Read on Twitter

Post #12 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 2:31 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:

Read on Twitter

It's improved but it didn't take much. Effort was key.
I hope he continues to give the effort we know he can.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

Post #13 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Mar 24, 2023 12:08 pm

jayu70 wrote:Taylor's transparency is cold comfort for the Hawks, according to star guard Trae Young. After the game, Young posted the pool report as an Instagram story, with some comments.

"We don't care now," Young wrote.

Also: "This goes back to my statement I said at the beginning of the year, refs should be held more accountable ($, suspensions, etc.) just like us. They shouldn't get 'We missed it' passes."

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hawks-trae-young-says-nba-referees-should-be-held-more-accountable-with-fines-suspensions/

Trae needs to be careful. He's top ten in the league in FTAs. And a lot of those foul calls he gets are really questionable.

Spoiler:

Also, I'd like to see more accountability with regard to Trae's defense & shot selection. Fines and suspensions for missed assignments, turnovers and 30+ foot jumpers that miss badly. :sour:

Skybox · Post #14 » by **Skybox** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 12:52 pm

Trae is terrible. You don’t need him. Murray is better…dump him on ORL for Suggs and have the best defensive backcourt in history. We’ll throw in Fultz and Isaac, who are both minimally guaranteed, so you can find max cap space for Jaylen Brown. 4 firsts on top.

It must be awful watching him sink 30 footers when John Collins is open for a lob. ORL will help you with your problem child :lol:

jayu70 · Post #15 » by **jayu70** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:07 pm

Skybox wrote:Trae is terrible. You don’t need him. Murray is better…dump him on ORL for Suggs and have the best defensive backcourt in history. We’ll throw in Fultz and Isaac, who are both minimally guaranteed, so you can find max cap space for Jaylen Brown. 4 firsts on top.

It must be awful watching him sink 30 footers when John Collins is open for a lob. ORL will help you with your problem child

Good try.
Trae is our problem child and we are keeping him.

DirtybirdGA · Post #16 » by **DirtybirdGA** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:32 am

Trae should be thankful Murray is feeling better and this wasn't midweek, or they'd have to rely on Holiday.

He's on his way to a suspension, get your head right dude.

Post #17 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:20 pm

Read on Twitter

Post #18 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:00 pm

Read on Twitter

Post #19 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:29 pm

Geaux_Hawks wrote:
jayu70 wrote:CBS article from Dec 7th....these writers are flighty.
And just to be clear, I'm not absolving Trae for his own short comings.
Speaking of that coaching change, Nate McMillan was the greatest beneficiary of that 2021 run. He inherited, first and foremost, a healthy roster that Lloyd Pierce never enjoyed. Things took off from there. He was rewarded with a four-year contract, but Atlanta's play after that postseason run has never validated McMillan as a true difference-maker. At some point, he will have to answer for that aforementioned bottom-10 offense, a ranking that should be nearly impossible with Young at the helm.

It's hard to even say McMillan has instituted any kind of offensive system. Any shot the Hawks get is a result of individual creation, almost entirely by either Young or Murray. The Hawks make the fewest passes per game in the league by a wide margin, and their off-ball movement is virtually nonexistent. Young still hasn't committed to that aspect of his game, and that's on him, but to be fair McMillan hasn't implemented the kind of impromptu screening and cutting culture required to make the movement of a player like Young consistently worthwhile. It takes everyone working together and in anticipation to free up a shooter, not just one guy running around.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trae-young-gives-hawks-a-punchers-chance-now-but-their-real-window-should-open-in-a-few-years/amp/

It's all for the clicks. It's crazy how the more we shifted towards Nate's way of doing things, the more it became a thing that Trae is a selfish, iso heavy ball hog. Yet he still is among the leaders for assist in the league, despite being on the team that passes the ball the least amount of times.

I misclicked and ended up in this thread without any intention of being here. But while I'm here... I know it's counter intuitive, but averaging the most assists on a team that averages the least is usually an indicator for a very ball-dominant style of play

jayu70 · Post #20 » by **jayu70** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 11:41 pm

GeorgeMarcus wrote:
Geaux_Hawks wrote:
jayu70 wrote:CBS article from Dec 7th....these writers are flighty.
And just to be clear, I'm not absolving Trae for his own short comings.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trae-young-gives-hawks-a-punchers-chance-now-but-their-real-window-should-open-in-a-few-years/amp/

It's all for the clicks. It's crazy how the more we shifted towards Nate's way of doing things, the more it became a thing that Trae is a selfish, iso heavy ball hog. Yet he still is among the leaders for assist in the league, despite being on the team that passes the ball the least amount of times.

I misclicked and ended up in this thread without any intention of being here. But while I'm here... I know it's counter intuitive, but averaging the most assists on a team that averages the least is usually an indicator for a very ball-dominant style of play

Between Hunter, Collins and Capela they struggle with ballhandling and decision making.