Overreaction (?) Tuesday: Trae Young is leading the way too early MVP race

To be honest, this isn’t an overreaction. The Hawks are an excellent basketball team, and Trae Young is a superstar.

https://twitter.com/KevinKeneely1/status/1343908906565824512

Trae Young has been the epitome of efficient this first week of the season.

0.9 WS
38.0 PER

34.0 pts
7.3 ast
4.0 reb

53.1% FG
42.1% 3P
91.3% FT

61.2% eFG
73.7% TS

Trae has scored 102 points in just 94 minutes. pic.twitter.com/OkaZxLZ3kV

— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) December 29, 2020

 

 

Trae Young has long been criticized by media pundits and NBA reply guys alike, saying his brand of basketball isn’t conducive to winning. I like to call Andrew Wiggins “empty calories” because he puts up tons of buckets and does nothing else, but that’s not Trae. His crafty distribution of the basketball and overall scoring threat from anywhere on the floor cannot be denied. He’s been playing better than any PLAYER in basketball, much less at the point guard position.

After being named an All-Star starter last year, if Trae and the Hawks keep this play up against higher-level competition — he will cruise to an MVP award. Wednesday’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets will be a perfect measuring stick, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks came out ready to prove themselves after dismantling everyone in their path during the first week of the season. It’s been reported that Cam Reddish “locked up” Kevin Durant in some pickup games, and neutralizing the Durantula will be key.

This Hawks team still isn’t 100% healthy, and that’s what’s scary. Onyeka Okongwu and Tony Snell were cleared for contact workouts, so hopefully, Trae is getting even more help soon. His numbers MAY dip a little from his 29/9 averages last season, but I think he would agree it’s more important to have the whole offense moving and the points not disappearing when he’s taking a breather. If the Hawks are winning, Young will be in the MVP conversation.