knicks1248 wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:Are the Hawks really about to be Contenders over night

The same team we swept in the regular season that almost swept us in the post season.

They have been the underdog in every series they step into, on the road with FANS, and they are playing with some series swag

This is an example of how you build around a potential star, and that player becoming a star.

He was playing like this in college with below avg teammates
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/trae-young-1/gamelog/2018/

This is part of the reason I laughed when I hear fans use age as an excuse for young players struggling.

This kid looks like he did nothing but play ball since he could walk, a total gym rat and student of the game..

TPercy wrote:Trae simply can’t be stopped. He’s not one of them. The Hawks are a serious #2 away from being complete title contenders for a long time. If Hawks supporting cast can continue to put up a fight, I won’t be surprised if the eek outta this one. You really have to respect the way they’ve came up and look at the age of their young core:

Young-22
Huerter-22
Collins-23
Hunter-23
Reddish-21(still a question mark)
Okongwu-20

And they’ve got very good vets around em
Bogi
Gallo
Lou
Capela

I think if Collins can learn to consistently create his own shot like Randle while continuing to improve his D he can eventually be that option in 2 years. We’ve got a pretty decent thing going ourselves with:

RJ-20
IQ-22
Mitch-23

Just need to continue to draft well.

Hawks have a solid young core for sure around Trae. I don't think they'll be able to keep all those guys though and would be smart to either package for another #1B guy or selectively part with certain players for maintain a pipeline of future assets and keep the team strong.

Also Trae has been outstanding, no question but no team has been allowed to play physical D on Trae - so it is difficult to wear him down. The playoffs have been overall extremely physical with the refs keeping the whistles in their pockets.....except when it comes to Trae. You basically breath on the guy and the whistles come out.

Chandler wrote:Deandre Hunter was playing some good ball, and he's out now. And Okungwu (sp?)has looked good in limited minutes. They definitely have talent

That said, Trae and Collins are both hot right now -- this isn't typical for them. Maybe the best competition brings the best out of them. Maybe it's the phase of the moon. WHo knows why. Gallinari is playing his role well too. but there is no denying, they're playing very well (Capella seems to always play well)

All that said, if Trae played like 10-20 years ago i think someone would have smacked his teeth out by now

Steph teeth be on the floor as well. Trae might scoop them up and smirk.
Kudos for ATL seeing the kid as he could be.
1248 always laughing but never has a solid take. Always retro like he owns the place.

Yes, Trae was suspect and his summer league as a rookie was awful. He is shining.
Team really came together under new coach. ITs a rare story. Trae not even an allstar! Kid is just playing fearlessly at the moment.
This kid has been on stage before. In college you get doubled and tripled and if your team is not up to the job, its gets ugly. Look at Cades season ending. So much you can do.
He is assimilating his game at the next level.

foosballnick wrote:

TPercy wrote:Trae simply can’t be stopped. He’s not one of them. The Hawks are a serious #2 away from being complete title contenders for a long time. If Hawks supporting cast can continue to put up a fight, I won’t be surprised if the eek outta this one. You really have to respect the way they’ve came up and look at the age of their young core:

Young-22
Huerter-22
Collins-23
Hunter-23
Reddish-21(still a question mark)
Okongwu-20

And they’ve got very good vets around em
Bogi
Gallo
Lou
Capela

I think if Collins can learn to consistently create his own shot like Randle while continuing to improve his D he can eventually be that option in 2 years. We’ve got a pretty decent thing going ourselves with:

RJ-20
IQ-22
Mitch-23

Just need to continue to draft well.

Hawks have a solid young core for sure around Trae. I don't think they'll be able to keep all those guys though and would be smart to either package for another #1B guy or selectively part with certain players for maintain a pipeline of future assets and keep the team strong.

Also Trae has been outstanding, no question but no team has been allowed to play physical D on Trae - so it is difficult to wear him down. The playoffs have been overall extremely physical with the refs keeping the whistles in their pockets.....except when it comes to Trae. You basically breath on the guy and the whistles come out.

What can be said of Trae can be said of every guard superstar in the league. Harden is far far worse than Trae yet he seems to fold/get unlucky every post season.

foosballnick wrote:

TPercy wrote:

foosballnick wrote:

TPercy wrote:Trae simply can’t be stopped. He’s not one of them. The Hawks are a serious #2 away from being complete title contenders for a long time. If Hawks supporting cast can continue to put up a fight, I won’t be surprised if the eek outta this one. You really have to respect the way they’ve came up and look at the age of their young core:

Young-22
Huerter-22
Collins-23
Hunter-23
Reddish-21(still a question mark)
Okongwu-20

And they’ve got very good vets around em
Bogi
Gallo
Lou
Capela

I think if Collins can learn to consistently create his own shot like Randle while continuing to improve his D he can eventually be that option in 2 years. We’ve got a pretty decent thing going ourselves with:

RJ-20
IQ-22
Mitch-23

Just need to continue to draft well.

Hawks have a solid young core for sure around Trae. I don't think they'll be able to keep all those guys though and would be smart to either package for another #1B guy or selectively part with certain players for maintain a pipeline of future assets and keep the team strong.

Also Trae has been outstanding, no question but no team has been allowed to play physical D on Trae - so it is difficult to wear him down. The playoffs have been overall extremely physical with the refs keeping the whistles in their pockets.....except when it comes to Trae. You basically breath on the guy and the whistles come out.

I don't see why the Hawks couldn't keep all of them. They have a very healthy cap situation and they wouldn't have to pay these guys all at the same time. Some of them still got 1-2 years left on rookie deal before their extensions kick in and by that time some of their vets will be coming off the books and likely resigning to smaller deals.

What can be said of Trae can be said of every guard superstar in the league. Harden is far far worse than Trae yet he seems to fold/get unlucky every post season.

They'll be ok for next year. Currently projecting $95m in cap hit. However Collins QO ($5.9m) is well below his value and likely he will reject it and go RFA and command a much higher salary to return. They may likely also go after a backup PG or re-sign Lou Williams. The year after is where it gets dicey. Huerter and Young both have QO's below value. Huerter will be looking for a pay day and Young looking for Max with Gallo,Bogi, Capella and Collins (likely) will all be on higher paying deals. They'll probably have to move at least one of the vets to make it work.

Or just pay the tax for 1 year? Gallos deal is also a partial guarantee so they could waive and sign him to lower terms to help with things