While the Atlanta Hawks continue to weigh the future of star point guard Trae Young, the star is continuing to play a familiar role. Young took time to weigh in on the Thunder's Game 7 win over the Nuggets on Sunday. The point guard was all too happy to point out that the building was far louder than the noted New York Knicks crowd. It was a hilarious shot from a player who has been all too happy to play the villain role in New York.
This all dates back to the 2021 season when Atlanta had their magical run and ended New York's playoff dreams. Trae Young continually hit big shots and was continually roasted by the Knicks faithful because of it. This led to an infamous moment of Trae taunting the crowd. It is arguably the best moment of Trae's career and one that continues to follow the point guard years down the road.
Trae Young Continues to Play the Villain Role vs. the New York Knicks
Even with the Hawks missing the playoffs and sitting at home for weeks, Trae is happy to goad his former foe. It is a mutual hatred that Young willingly leans into, often playing his best against the Knicks. For Atlanta, it is a fun reminder of what once was after three years of complete playoff and play-in frustrations.
Trae Young hasn't been properly supported or given the right coaching system. The Hawks must find a second scoring option this offseason if they hope for another repeat of the team's 2021 run. We've seen what Trae is capable of when the point guard has reliable pieces put around him. Atlanta has since torn down what worked and made its next big move by bringing in another defensively challenged point guard. This is a trade they would reverse and will regret for some time.
The point remains that Trae's playoff moment still has such an impact years down the road, both for the point guard and in the minds of Knicks fans, is a reminder of what is supposed to be. Trae Young is built for the biggest stage, and it is time the Hawks build a supporting cast capable of pushing the team back to relevance.