“Stat machine to winner…” Legendary Isiah Thomas praises Trae Young’s evolution as leader in NBA

NBA legend Isiah Thomas gave his thoughts on Trae Young's evolution as a point guard and a leader for the Atlanta Hawks.

“Stat machine to winner…” Legendary Isiah Thomas praises Trae Young’s evolution as leader in NBA

Trae Young

Basketball legend Isiah Thomas weighed in on Trae Young‘s evolution as a leader ahead of the Atlanta Hawks‘ NBA Cup semifinal showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks. Reflecting on Young’s growth over the years, Thomas didn’t hold back in praising the Hawks’ star point guard.

Isiah Thomas discussed how Young has evolved from a statistical powerhouse to a centerpiece of Atlanta’s winning culture during his conversation on GAME TIME. Zeke summed up the change in one sentence.

Trae Young has gone from a stat machine to a winner. We look at these numbers, and you say, okay, 38 percent from the field, but then you look on the other side—he is averaging 12 assists a game. He is sharing the basketball, getting his teammates better shots, and he is taking the more difficult shots, which consequently lowers his field goal percentage, but it translates into winning.

Isiah Thomas said

Thomas clarified that even though it may look like Trae Young‘s shot percentage is going down, in reality, he is playing unselfish basketball to get more dubs. Zeke complimented the three-time All-Star for sacrificing his stats for the sake of the bigger picture, showing a true sign of leadership.

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Trae Young’s most iconic celebration gestures at the Madison Square Garden so far

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has hit several game-winning shots, each accompanied by a special celebration gesture. Some of his most iconic celebrations came at the expense of New York Knicks fans.

While at the famous MSG stadium, he has had many heated altercations with fans only to prove he thrives on the energy that the “Mecca of Basketball” brings. Young has hit the Knicks fans with several notable celebrations like “The Shush,” “Taking a Bow,” and his classic “Ice-Cold Celebration.”

Young’s teammate Dyson Daniels told NBA Today that his most recent “Shooting Dice” celebration after eliminating the Knicks in the NBA Cup was pre-planned.

Oh yeah, we was talking in the locker room I think two days before this game that he was gonna shoot some dice. Perfect timing, he was dribbling out the clock… it was meant for it.” 

Dyson Daniels said

The stage is set in Las Vegas as the Hawks gear up to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday. The other semifinal will see the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets lock horns later in the day.