Trae Young’s Evolution: How the Hawks Star Earned His Team’s Trust
LAS VEGAS — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers didn’t hold back when discussing the transformation he’s seen in Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young this season. And let’s just say, it’s a glowing review.
“He’s earned the trust of his players,” Rivers said after the Bucks’ practice Friday at T-Mobile Arena, where they’re preparing to face the Hawks in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals. “This team likes playing with him. That’s obvious. I couldn’t say that in the past, but now they love playing with him.”
For Young, a 26-year-old three-time All-Star, this kind of praise is a big deal. While he’s been celebrated for leading the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, he’s also faced his fair share of criticism. From being labeled a poor defender to whispers about his reputation as a teammate, the narrative around Young hasn’t always been kind. But this season, things are starting to look different.
Young is currently averaging 21.0 points and a league-leading 12.2 assists per game. Those numbers alone are impressive, but it’s the intangibles—his leadership and connection with his teammates—that seem to be making the biggest impact. And Young himself is ready to set the record straight.
“The narrative about me not being able to do certain things or being too mad or frustrated about certain things is—I mean, just aren’t true,” Young said Friday. “I think you’re just now being able to see, like, with the young team we have, just some of the different things we’ve been doing this year. I think just now you’re starting to kind of see it because the results are showing, and we’re winning now. We’re here in this final four of the Cup, and it’s a big deal.”
He added, “I think that’s why you’re seeing it and understanding it, but for me, I’ve always been this way.”
The Hawks’ Young Core is Thriving
Atlanta’s roster is brimming with young talent, and it’s clear that Young is playing a pivotal role in their development. The team’s core includes All-Star candidate Jalen Johnson, rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, and guard Dyson Daniels, who joined the Hawks as part of the trade return for former All-Star Dejounte Murray. While Young and Murray’s two-year partnership didn’t yield any playoff series victories, the Hawks seem to have found a new rhythm this season.
After a slow start, Atlanta has turned things around in a big way. They’ve won seven of their last eight games, a streak that began with back-to-back victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently boast the NBA’s best record. For Young, the formula is simple: “When you win, everything else takes care of itself. That’s kind of what’s happening right now.”
Trae Young’s Defensive Evolution
One of the most notable changes in Young’s game this season has been his approach to defense. While he’s long been criticized for his limitations on that end of the floor, Rivers believes Young has made significant strides by studying the game and finding ways to adapt.
“It’s apparent from Young’s play that the guard has been really studying the game on both ends of the floor,” Rivers said. He specifically pointed out how Young has learned to mask his defensive weaknesses by communicating and switching to avoid being targeted in certain actions.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Young’s growth as a player and leader. “When we talk with Trae and we talk about Trae, the word I like to use is evolution,” Snyder said. “Every player evolves. They just evolve in different ways. He’s been an important part of our young guys’ growth and being able to elevate them. … We know what a talented offensive player he is, but I think in his mind, being successful as a team—not just Trae, we’ve all got to do our part defensively. And he’s doing that.”
Why This Season Feels Different
So, what’s behind this newfound chemistry and success for the Hawks? It could be a combination of factors: Young’s leadership, the emergence of the team’s young core, and a collective commitment to improving on both ends of the floor. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the Hawks are clicking in a way they haven’t in recent years.
As the team prepares to face the Bucks in the NBA Cup semifinals, all eyes will be on Young to see if he can continue to lead his team to new heights. One thing is for sure: the narrative around Trae Young is changing, and it’s changing fast.
Key Takeaways
- Trae Young is averaging 21.0 points and a league-leading 12.2 assists this season.
- Doc Rivers praised Young for earning the trust of his teammates, a shift from previous years.
- The Hawks have won seven of their last eight games, including two against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Young’s defensive improvements and leadership have been crucial to the team’s success.
As Young himself said, “When you win, everything else takes care of itself.” And right now, the Hawks are winning—and winning big.
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
