Is a rift growing between Trae and Coach Pierce?

[Jamaaliver]

From a mailbag conversation over at The Athletic:

Q. what’s your viewpoint on the relationship between (Trae) Young and (Lloyd) Pierce? To say it’s been off this year is quite the understatement.

A. I think there has been some disconnect between the two of them this season. There have been times when Young has disagreed with Pierce’s comments. I remember asking Young about his thoughts on Pierce saying “the team didn’t compete” or some version of that after one of the many blowout losses this season, and Young shot back with, “That’s his opinion,” and left it at that. He was clearly annoyed with the thought of him, specifically, not competing.

There have been other times where you can see the body language on the bench during timeouts, and Pierce is drawing up plays and Young just isn’t paying much attention as Pierce talks.

The latest is Pierce’s initial comments about Young being left off the preliminary Team USA roster...Pierce was asked if it was hard to see Young being excluded from the 44 players who were named as finalists.

“No, because honestly I respect the league, I respect the levels and layers you have to go through,” Pierce said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "...You don’t just go because you’re good. You go because you’ve earned the right, the honor."

Spoiler:

Shortly after Pierce’s comments got to Twitter, Young tweeted:

Read on Twitter

Young’s father, in a since-deleted tweet, responded, “Chill out bro,” in response to a fan tweeting, “Lloyd Pierce is the best coach for Trae Young. I love the way he’s helping him grow. Slow and steady wins the race.” Young’s father also “liked” several tweets from fans expressing their displeasure about Pierce’s initial comments, including one that read, “Clown answer.”

Young and his father are incredibly close. There definitely needs to be some growth in the Young-Pierce relationship.

[kg01]

Jm'all lives for these moments.

[Jamaaliver]

Nah, I prefer the 10-game losing streaks, league worst offense and questionable personnel decisions.

The 'team drama' is just icing on the cake.

[tbhawksfan1]

Maybe question should be: what is LP trying to accomplish? He seems to be trying to keep Trae reigned in. Is he just opening his exit door?

Seems to be evident that Trae is a star and going to lead this team for the long-term. Maybe LP thinks it's important that the whole team develop and keeping Trae humble is a key? Risky strategy if true

[atlantabbq99]

I hope Lloyd gets fired. He is only good at yelling at young players and doesn't know how to teach the game to young players.

Here is a list of people I hope the Hawks consider when finding a replacement to Lloyd...

Luke Walton
Jarron Collins
Becky Hammon
Darvin Ham
David Blatt
Chip Engelland

[Radioblacktive1]

I hope Lloyd gets fired. He is only good at yelling at young players and doesn't know how to teach the game to young players.

Here is a list of people I hope the Hawks consider when finding a replacement to Lloyd...

Luke Walton
Jarron Collins
Becky Hammon
Darvin Ham
David Blatt
Chip Engelland

????

[Jamaaliver]

This isn't new reporting, but it's just now making it's way into national headlines.

Oy

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Code: Select all

Young is the Hawks’ franchise player. If it comes to it, they’ll choose him over Pierce. Elite young talents like Young are difficult to acquire. Coaches are far more replaceable.

But Atlanta also ought to be careful about enabling Young’s bad habits...firing Pierce could send an implicit message that Young is doing everything right. There’s risk of instilling a losing culture.

Young is incredibly talented, especially for his age. He also must develop better winning habits. The Hawks’ challenge is finding the coach who’ll help Young do that.

[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce joined the HoopsHype podcast and discussed a wide range of topics. Pierce discussed life outside the bubble, his relationship with Trae Young, and free agency for Atlanta...

Q. It seems now more than ever, it’s important for a coach to have a really good relationship with his star player. For you, that guy is Trae Young. How would you describe your relationship with Trae and the balancing act of coaching an All-Star in today’s NBA?

Pierce: The balancing act is the job. You want to be able to connect with all your players. You definitely need to connect with your star player. You have to balance the challenge of connecting with and coaching up. When you take on young players, similar to what we had in Philly and obviously what we have here in Atlanta, when you’re coaching young players, your commitment to their development and growth is on and off the court. Trae’s at an age, turning 22 next month in September, where he’s coming into his own not only as a player but as a man. Buying houses for the first time, being on his own, financial security. All of those things are happening at once. I definitely want to be a part of him understanding how to balance work, play, social life, as a star player.

He’s a star player, he’s the face of a franchise right now. He’s an All-Star in his second year. He’s headed for greatness. You want to be able to challenge him to achieve all of those things seamlessly, if possible. When those bumps in the road occur, be able to handle them accordingly. It isn’t just about having a great relationship; it’s about having an honest relationship. It’s having a relationship of trust. I tell all my players, I hope none of you guys trust me when we meet each other. I hope you all trust me as we go through everything because you can see the commitment that I have to their development. You can see the commitment that I have to their growth, and that’s where the trust should come from. It shouldn’t just come from the fact that I’m the head coach. I need to earn it. I need to earn it by being truthful, honest, and committed to their development. Our relationship has been just that, trying to help him grow, trying to help him see things that maybe he doesn’t see, and then trying to help him apply things that we want to see in the future of leadership, advancement, things of that nature.

We’re at this period where we’re trying to form this partnership, we’re trying to grow this partnership because our goals are aligned. We want to win. We want greatness. We want it sooner than later. We also know we have to go through the necessary rigors and steps as an organization and for him as a player without skipping those steps, or trying to advance too quickly. It’s been great because he has advanced fairly quickly, but I think he’s taken the necessary steps as well.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

If one didn't know any better, one would think Pierce has actually achieved greatness either as a player or as a coach. Have to give it to him--he says the right things.

And, it's not like one has to have actually achieved greatness as a player or as a coach in order to qualify as being capable of achieving greatness. For instance, I remember distinctly thinking to myself that that Popovich guy was a flash in the pan, and he just happened to be in the right place at the right time. But it turns out, rather, he had more of a future as a coach than I did were I to be a GM.

Rooting for LP, of course.

Still skeptical until he forces me not to be.

[Jamaaliver]

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I'm pretty sure I can guess Trae's response...

Spoiler:

[Spud2nique]

Read on Twitter

I'm pretty sure I can guess Trae's response...

Spoiler:

No doubt. I’m not giving Lloyd any credit after last night’s win btw. A win is a win but he’s gotta change things top to bottom and string together winning streaks if he wants to stay alive as coach.