Trae Younger: 'If I used to be 6’8″, I really feel like I'd be the most effective participant to ever play this sport'

Trae Younger has by no means lacked self-confidence.

Young appeared on the “Million Dollar Worth of Game” podcast and stated some clever and considerate issues… however in fact, that is not going to be the headline. He additionally stated this (hat tip Hoopshype):

“I used to have this saying: I hate once I see guys which are tall, and that is all. You realize what I am saying? They’re simply tall, and that is it. They’ll end, they’ll do some stuff, but when I used to be 6’8″, I really feel like I’d be the most effective participant to ever play this sport simply due to my mentality and the smartness I’ve on this sport. I really feel like there’s quite a bit I can deliver, however there are plenty of deficiencies as a result of I am 6’1″, 6’2″. It is robust, and I am taking part in in a giant man’s sport, you realize what I am saying? However I make it work.”

Younger is a three-time All-Star, an elite scorer and passer getting into his prime, round whom Atlanta administration has struggled to construct a winner. How a lot of that failure to win is on Younger is the query. When the Hawks seemed to commerce him or Dejonte Murray this summer time, there was a a lot stronger market and a greater return for Murray. Groups didn’t present a lot curiosity in an undersized level guard who has to have the ball in his arms to be efficient and is a legal responsibility on protection. There are questions across the league about if anybody might construct a contender round Younger (although the Hawks reached the Japanese Convention Finals with him).

Speaking hoop past himself, Younger stated the one particular person stopping Kevin Durant is Kevin Durant — Younger feels the identical manner about his sport — and in addition talked in regards to the hardest guards to cowl within the league, however he had a tough time protecting that listing quick.

“There’s plenty of nice guards within the league proper now. I imply, it isn’t only one man. All of them deliver one thing completely different, so I do not suppose it is only one man. If I needed to decide the highest 5 hardest guards to protect, I might say KD, Dame, Steph, Kyrie, Shai — exterior of myself. I imply, I am in that class if I do not rely myself. These 5 are actually good guards. I imply, Luka’s in there too. It is a completely different guard each evening, you realize what I am saying? Even if you happen to consider the worst crew, the Pistons, they have Cade Cunningham. He ain’t no slouch. You realize what I am saying? It is robust each evening.”

One in all Younger’s attention-grabbing feedback was that he believed NIL cash might harm some gamers improvement as a result of they chase essentially the most cash over the most effective scenario.

“I really feel like now children are going to decide on the cash as a substitute of what college matches them finest to finally assist them obtain their dream of moving into the NBA. The coaches are most likely operating down what they’ll do for them on the courtroom and all these items, however then on the finish of the conversations, they most likely ask, ‘Hey, so what is the cash half? What’s the actual factor?’ Youngsters simply do not perceive that if you happen to sacrifice the mindset of eager to get cash now and be sure you’re locked into your craft, the cash will come, and it’ll movement in much more in a while.”

The cash is flowing for Younger, he is getting into the third yr of his five-year max contract, however the strain is on him. After this season Younger will probably be extension eligible, and whether or not the Hawks need to prolong him on the max — or every other quantity — might rely not solely on the numbers he places up this season however how a lot he elevates the Hawks. Can they win with him? And the place does No. 1 decide Zaccharie Risacher — who has plenty of improvement to do to dwell as much as his potential — slot in?

It’ll be an attention-grabbing season in Atlanta.