The Case for being extremely patient with Trae Young's development

[Jamaaliver]

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30. Hawks | Last Week: 0-3 | Overall: 6-23 | Previous Ranking: 27

The road was a hostile place for the Hawks.

Wednesday’s meeting with the Mavericks showed what happens when Trae Young can get going and knock down shots. But with no one on the bench to help on the offensive end, Atlanta just used the game to begin its next losing streak.

And Young, and the team as a whole, did not look as good in the other two defeats. The Hawks have young talent that show flashes from time-to-time, but in the end, they are still ways away from making any real noise.

For Young, though, it’s a gigantic issue that he’s still only at 23.7% from distance. The rookie is handling his point guard duty of getting others involved and had two more double doubles in these past three games thanks to his assists. He is still struggling to get his shot going, however, and part of the reason is his reliance on deep bombs. Young’s ability to pull it from anywhere was a big part in making his college season so special. But those bombs aren’t landing. He’s been solid on his two-point attempts, and the threat of him taking a 30-footer is part of what opens the rest of the floor for him, but he needs to start relying on other skills to create looks.

As he continues to dissect defenses with his passing, he might be able to start creating more opportunities by getting the opposition to focus more on where they think the ball is going, instead of watching him try to create. It’s going to take time, but it’s probably better to start focusing on finding new ways to get looks instead of hoping he will start making more shots from the logo. Those shots will always be there. Creating other quality looks will take more effort.

[Jamaaliver]

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[DRKB21]

Creating better looks goes against the Hawks goal for the year. Those shots from the logo hasten their goal.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

But apparently he had chemistry problems with his college teammates so entering the draft seemed an easy decision to make.

What is the source on this? First time I've heard he had issues getting along with people.

[macd-gm]

But apparently he had chemistry problems with his college teammates so entering the draft seemed an easy decision to make.

What is the source on this? First time I've heard he had issues getting along with people.

I think the issue was that Trae is so small there just wasn't enough room on his back for him to carry them all.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Promezclan]

So Young spends 6 more possessions/36 (4.3 extra misses + 2.7 extra turnovers - 1 for FTs) than CP3 to score and assist the same amount, and that's almost equal? Teams score more than 1 point/possession, so that's leaving at least 6 points/36 on the table. A point differential of 6 is the difference between the 1st seed and the 15th seed in the West,

[Jamaaliver]

Please. Let us have this.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

So Young spends 6 more possessions/36 (4.3 extra misses + 2.7 extra turnovers - 1 for FTs) than CP3 to score and assist the same amount, and that's almost equal? Teams score more than 1 point/possession, so that's leaving at least 6 points/36 on the table. A point differential of 6 is the difference between the 1st seed and the 15th seed in the West,

Those are numbers pro-rated over 100 possessions. That is apples to apples. Fair to point out that he has a higher turnover rate and higher shot frequency but it isn't like this is over more possessions. It means that production is similar over the same number of possessions but Paul is more efficient. Which isn't shocking given his status as one of the most efficient PGs in NBA history.

[PG13]

But apparently he had chemistry problems with his college teammates so entering the draft seemed an easy decision to make.

What is the source on this? First time I've heard he had issues getting along with people.

I heard it on some podcast. They didn’t say he “had issues getting along with people” but said Trae was asked why the team played poorly second half of the year and Trae mentioned “team chemistry”. This article talked about his decision to stay/leave:

https://sports.yahoo.com/trae-youngs-father-wants-consider-returning-oklahoma-212942229.html

Doesn’t look like Trae has too many friends for a 19 years old anyway. Check who he follows on Instagram.

[macd-gm]

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Well Trae's my guy but i'd say that this is a very generous comparison. Basically ignoring huge differences in turnovers, steals, rebounds and free throws. Of course CP was on a team full of vets.

[Jamaaliver]

Picks 3 & 4 getting near universal praise as teenagers.

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Meanwhile, Hawks and Magic fans like.




I hope summer 2019 is the last time we draft a college freshman for a loooong time.

[macd-gm]

Picks 3 & 4 getting near universal praise as teenagers.

Read on Twitter

Meanwhile, Hawks and Magic fans like.




I hope summer 2019 is the last time we draft a college freshman for a loooong time.

How did you get there from this? JJJ and Luka are 19 years old.

[DRKB21]

There are a lot of fans on here that are eating crow over JJJ right now.

Me? I'm like

[jayu70]

Picks 3 & 4 getting near universal praise as teenagers.

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Meanwhile, Hawks and Magic fans like.




I hope summer 2019 is the last time we draft a college freshman for a loooong time.

How did you get there from this? JJJ and Luka are 19 years old.

And then he will take issue with the ages of the upper classmen *cough* Prince.
I'm so confused.

[Jamaaliver]

Picks 3 & 4 getting near universal praise as teenagers.

I hope summer 2019 is the last time we draft a college freshman for a loooong time.

How did you get there from this? JJJ and Luka are 19 years old.

And then he will take issue with the ages of the upper classmen *cough* Prince. I'm so confused.

Drafting/scouting unpolished teens is such a gamble. Most of the most talented players in each draft are indeed one and done freshman. Let's get this last top-5 pick, gamble on another teenaged freshman...and then get back to building our teams around men.



My issue with Taurean's age:

• He's entering his physical prime and unlikely to improve much.
  
• He's best suited for a competitive team now. Not one in the beginning of a rebuild.
  
• He's notably older than the guys who will serve as our cornerstones moving forward. Meaning their windows won't entirely overlap.

My issue with drafting freshmen (or HS kids):

• They tend to be unpolished needing years to produce
  
• They are largely a gamble

[macd-gm]

I get all that but explain why the fact that supposedly the cream of this draft crop are two 19 year olds makes you not want to draft 19 year olds in the future.

[Spud2nique]

Unfortunately 90% of the talent lies in the freshman group now and moving forward. It’s true that players can mature with age and college experience but it’s also a case by case evaluation of each individual to me. Some players are mature enough at 19 and ready to take on the challenge in the NBA while others may not even be as 23 year old seniors entering the draft. Everything is a gamble.

[jayu70]

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Let the record show that with just over 1/3 of his rookie season over, Trae already has 5-20 point/10 assist games.
The kid will be alright.
Growing pains are part of the learning curve.

[Jamaaliver]

I get all that but explain why the fact that supposedly the cream of this draft crop are two 19 year olds makes you not want to draft 19 year olds in the future.

I just think 18 year old college freshmen are like...a box of chocolates. You never really know what you're getting. (Just ask Philly who drafted Noel, Jahlil and Markelle with almost no return on investment.)


In the top 5, you almost HAVE to select one. But they're such a gamble. And it takes longer for them to develop. I definitely don't want to still be in the lottery in 3 years scouting/drafting HS kids.




It's worth noting that Travis and GSW built their championship core through the draft on upperclassmen who were massively polished from day one (Klay, Steph, Draymond)

Even Harrison was a 2 year collegiate under Roy Williams. So it's no coincidence that most of Travis's draftees here have also been multi year collegiates.




My overall point: Trae is the first one-and-done freshman we've drafted since...Marvin? And watching this kid's growing pains is exhausting. I can't handle 2-3 more draft picks like this.

Spoiler:

So this is me...waiting. Waiting for OUR one-and-done player to grow an inch? Add some weight? Learn to play?