Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young is Like Michael Jordan

A Slight of Historical Proportions

It is a travesty that Trae Young, one of only three rookies to average at least 19 points and eight assists, did not come away with the Rookie of the Year award. Of the 14 rookies in NBA history to average eight assists or more per game, only Oscar Robertson had a higher scoring average than Trae Young. Oscar won the award.

Damon Stoudamire was the only other rookie to average 19 points and eight assists. He won the award as well. While I acknowledge that the actual winner had a great record-breaking season too. Trae finished the season much stronger. The right thing to do, would have been to split the award.

In the same manner that Michael Jordan used perceived slights, mockery and disrespect to fuel is his extreme passion, it is clear that Trae Young is doing the same thing. Rather than run from or lash out at the critics, the noise just drives him to work even harder.

The ability to take “hate” and use it to inspire, is a wonderful quality for an athlete to have. It is the Michael Jordan mentality. Imagine if there was social media in Jordan’s time. He legitimately may have won ten championships.

I am not quite sure if the rest of the NBA fully understands the ramifications of the lopsided rookie of the year vote, but they will soon find out. Trae Young does not forget these things and he will be determined to make someone pay!