Why the Steph vs. Trae battle is a matchup to watch in Warriors vs. Hawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Atlanta Hawks had a vision when selecting Trae Young fifth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. General manager Travis Schlenk hoped Young could have an impact similar to that of a point guard drafted during his 13 years with the Golden State Warriors.
A guy named Stephen Curry.
That was the comparison when Young came out of the University of Oklahoma. Like Curry, drafted seventh overall in 2009, Young was small (6-foot-1, 164 pounds) by NBA standards but exhibited incredible range on his jump shot.
Although Curry and Young have built a relationship over the past six years, they will try to outdo each other Wednesday night when the Hawks take on the Warriors at Chase Center. Tip off is at 7:00 pm PT.
Young is second in the league in assists (11.6 per game, second in the league) but is scoring at a rate slightly below his career standards: 22.6 points per game, on 38.2 percent shooting from the field, including 35 percent from deep. The Hawks are 7-8.
Curry, by contrast, is having a solid season, averaging 23.0 points per game, shooting 47.9 percent from the field, including 42.7 percent from distance. He averages 6.4 assists per game. The Warriors are 10-3 and have won nine of their last 11.
On the macro level, however, Young has established himself as a force. He orchestrates Atlanta’s offense, and only three players have recorded more assists since he entered the league. He is, conceptually, the engine that makes the Hawks go.
The thing is, they tend to “go” less with Young than without him. They are winning at a slightly lower rate (189-232, .449) when he plays than when he sits (28-33, 45.9). In the one game he missed this season, the Hawks downed the Celtics in Boston for their third straight win over the champions — all without Young.
Thus, the debate that rages among Hawks fans and NBA observers is whether the team would be better without Young.
That was never a debate with Curry’s impact on the Warriors. They are 625-341 (.647) when he plays and 87-147 (.372) when he doesn’t.
Although Young is shooting 35.4 percent from deep for his career and Atlanta has missed the playoffs in three of his six seasons. curry, the undisputed king of triplesis at 42.6 percent and owns four championship rings.
Schlenk’s vision of Young changing a franchise did not materialize, and he is now in the front office of the Washington Wizards.
Steph and Trae have the tools to put on an exciting show, but one is not like the other.
