For the second time in his young career, Trae Young will take the floor alongside the NBA’s best as an All-Star Game starter on February 20 in Cleveland. And while there’s still room to grow, Young’s game is already being compared to a few Mount Rushmore players in the league’s history.
Dan Marino once said, “there is no defense against a perfect pass.” That quote can be adapted to fit any sport, and in the NBA, there are two shining examples of unstoppable moves. Joining 92.9 The Game, former NBA player and Audacy Insider Brian Scalabrine said Young is developing such a move of his own while comparing him to two of the greatest players of all time,
"As far as a decision-maker, getting downhill, shooting the floater, throwing the lob, kicking it out—he’s probably the best there is. With Jordan’s fadeaway or Kareem’s skyhook, Trae Young getting downhill in a pick and roll with a big man rolling to the basket is as unstoppable of a play as any in basketball,” Scalabrine said.
Young officially arrived on the grand stage as he took over Madison Square Garden during the 2020-21 postseason, and Scalabrine noted that players around the league and the national media are in agreement on the greatness of Atlanta’s young superstar. As for where Young ranks in terms of current point guards across the league, Scalabrine placed him inside the top five behind Memphis' Ja Morant.
As the unquestioned leader of this Hawks squad, Young leads the way averaging 27.7 points and 9.3 assists per game.
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For all of the praise Young has received for his offensive prowess, Scalabrine admits that there is more to be desired on the defensive end of the floor. Young isn’t the only one struggling on defense as the Hawks rank 24th in the league giving up an average of more than 111 points per game.
Currently the 12th seed in the East, Young will have to continue to be the spark plug for the Hawks who are looking to make a push for the playoffs as we enter the second half of the regular season.
Owners of a six-game winning streak, Atlanta hosts the Lakers Sunday at 1 p.m.