Trae Young has never lacked confidence.
Young appeared on the “Million Dollar Worth of Game” podcast. and said some smart and thoughtful things…but of course, that won’t be the headline. He also said that (hat tip Hoopshype):
“I once had this saying: I hate it when I see guys who are tall, and that’s it. You know what I’m saying? They’re just tall, and that’s it. They can finish, they can do some things, but if I would be 6’8″, I feel like I would be the best player to ever play this game just because of my mindset and the wisdom that I have in this game, I feel like I can bring a lot, but there are many shortcomings because I’m 6’1″, 6’2″ It’s tough, and I play in a big man, you know what I’m saying?
Young is a three-time All-Star, an elite scorer and passer entering his prime, around whom Atlanta management has struggled to build a winner. How much of that failure to win is on Young is the question. When the Hawks looked to trade him or Dejonte Murray this summer, there was a much stronger market and a better return for Murray. Teams haven’t shown much interest in an undersized point guard who has to have the ball in his hands to be effective and is a liability on defense. There are questions around the league about whether anyone could build a contender around Young (although the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals with him).
Speaking ringside, Young said the only person who stops Kevin Durant is Kevin Durant – Young feels the same way about his game – and also talked about the toughest guards to cover in the league, but he had a hard time keeping that short list
“There’s a lot of great guards in the league right now. I mean, it’s not just one guy. They all bring something different, so I don’t think it’s just one guy. If I had to pick the top five toughest guards. guard, I’d say KD, Dame, Steph, Kyrie, Shai — outside of myself, I’m in that category if I don’t count those five are really good guards It’s a different guard every night too, you know what I’m saying It’s hard every night.”
One of Young’s interesting comments was that he believed NIL money could hurt some players because they chase the most money over the best situation.
“I feel like now kids are going to choose the money instead of what school is the best fit for them to ultimately help them achieve their dream of getting into the NBA. The coaches are probably scared of what they can do for them on the court and all that stuff, but then at at the end of the conversations, they probably ask, ‘Hey, what’s the money part? What’s the real deal?’ Kids just don’t understand that if you sacrifice the mindset of wanting to get money now and make sure you’re locked into your craft, the money will come, and it’ll come in even more later.”
The money is flowing for Young, he is entering the third year of his five-year maximum contract, but the pressure is on him. After this season Young will be eligible for an extension, and whether the Falcons want to extend him to the max — or any other number — could depend not only on the numbers he puts up this season, but how much he elevates the Hawks. Can they win with him? And where does No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher — who has a lot of development to do to live up to his potential — fit in?
It’s going to be an interesting season in Atlanta.
