## Trae Young’s Shooting Slump: Cause for Concern or Calculated Risk?
Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks’ dynamic point guard, is currently leading the NBA with an notable 12.1 assists per game. Yet, beneath the surface of his playmaking prowess lies a statistical anomaly: career-low shooting percentages of 39% from the field and a mere 31% from beyond the arc. Is this a cause for alarm, or a calculated risk taken in pursuit of a greater goal?
Young himself remains unfazed. “It’s going to end up falling in,” he confidently asserts. He attributes the dip in his shooting percentages to a change in shot selection, prioritizing involving his teammates and taking on arduous shots at the end of quarters and possessions.
### The “Different shots” Dilemma
What exactly does Young mean by “different shots?” He elaborates, “I’m not afraid to take shots at the end of the quarter in my part of the field or shots at the end of a possession, when my team gives me the ball.” These are often contested, low-percentage attempts that many players would shy away from, fearing the impact on their stats.
Young, however, sees the bigger picture.”A lot of players don’t want to take them as of the impact on their percentage, but I don’t care. I just want to win and I’m just focused on that.” This willingness to sacrifice individual statistics for the sake of team momentum speaks volumes about his leadership and commitment to winning.
### Hawks’ Confidence Remains High
Despite Young’s shooting struggles, the Atlanta Hawks, currently with a 14-13 record, remain confident in their floor general. Jalen Johnson dismisses any concerns,stating,”His shots will end up going in.” He acknowledges that slumps are a part of the game and emphasizes Young’s overall contribution to the team. “Well, I wouldn’t say he’s broken, as he does so much for us. It seems like no one notices unless you watch the matches. he’s good.”
Head coach Quin Snyder echoes this sentiment, highlighting Young’s ongoing evolution as a player.”he is evolving and we are asking him to do more things. He takes more catch-and-shoots. If we take different shots, then there is an acclimation period. I’m not worried,” Snyder concludes. The coaching staff seems to view this period as a necessary adjustment as Young expands his offensive repertoire.
Trae Young.The name evokes images of dazzling passes, deep threes, and a flair for the dramatic.But this season, something’s different. While leading the league in assists, Young’s shooting percentages have plummeted to career lows. Is this a temporary blip or a sign of deeper issues? To delve into this complex situation,we’ve brought in “Stat Man” Steve,a die-hard Atlanta Hawks fan known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the game and,well,a slight obsession with the numbers. Steve bleeds Hawks red and watches every game, meticulously tracking every stat. He’s here to give us his unfiltered take on Trae’s slump and debate its implications for the Hawks’ future. Welcome, steve!
moderator: Steve, thanks for joining us. let’s jump right in.Trae’s assist numbers are fantastic, but his shooting percentages… they’re concerning. 39% from the field, 31% from three. Are you worried?
Stat Man steve: Worried? Understatement! I’m losing sleep! Look,Trae Young is a superstar. we’ve seen him light up the league. But this isn’t just a minor dip; it’s a full-blown crisis. We’re talking about potential playoff implications here. The Hawks’ ceiling directly correlates with Trae’s offensive efficiency. Thirty-nine percent from the field? That’s… that’s unacceptable for a player of his caliber.
Moderator: Trae himself seems unfazed. He claims he’s taking “different shots,” prioritizing involving teammates and taking tough shots at the end of possessions. Do you buy that clarification?
Stat Man Steve: (scoffs) “Different shots”? That’s a convenient excuse. Sure, some of those end-of-quarter heaves are low-percentage, but look at the types of shots he’s missing. Wide-open threes! Layups! His shot selection isn’t drastically different, but his execution is. He’s rushing, forcing things. To say it’s just “different shots” is an oversimplification. Plus, those ill-advised shots do impact the team in a negative way. They often kill momentum and give the other team confidence.
Moderator: He says he doesn’t care about his percentages, only winning.That sounds like a good team player attitude. Isn’t it admirable that he’s willing to sacrifice his stats for the team?
Stat Man Steve: Admirable? Maybe. Naive? Absolutely! In today’s NBA, you need your star players to be efficient AND effective. Sacrificing your stats shouldn’t mean bricking wide-open jump shots! Let’s be honest he’s always been on the lower end of shooting efficency for star guards, but what he’s doing now is killing the team one bad short at at a time. If he’s truly prioritizing winning,he needs to find a balance. He needs to recognize when to defer and when to attack with purpose. his decision-making needs refinement. Look at someone like Steph Curry – he’s selfless but also ruthlessly efficient. That’s the standard Trae needs to strive for..A few years ago his shooting percentages were better than they are now so claiming that it is due to a new strategic move sounds ridicules.
Moderator: Jalen Johnson and Coach Snyder both express confidence in Trae. They suggest that slumps are normal and that he’s adapting to new offensive responsibilities. Isn’t that a sign that there’s no real problem?
Stat Man Steve: That’s coach speak! They’re not going to publicly criticize their star player. But behind closed doors, I guarantee they’re having tough conversations. Snyder is a great coach,but he can’t magically fix Trae’s shooting touch. And while Jalen Johnson is playing well, he’s not the one carrying the offensive burden. Plus, looking at the the percentages in 2018 you could argue that his shots are now worse than what they were at the beginning of his careear. The other thing to keep in mind is that this season’s stats have a fairly large sample size now. Those statistics aren’t going anywhere any time soon unless he improves.
Moderator: Let’s talk about those new responsibilities. Snyder mentioned Trae taking more catch-and-shoot opportunities. Could that be the key to unlocking his potential?
Stat Man Steve: Catch-and-shoot should be a good thing, right? Less dribbling, more space, quicker release. But the numbers aren’t reflecting that. Maybe it’s a matter of chemistry still, or confidence. Maybe defenses are keying in on that catch-and-shoot strategy. The counterpoint is that if you look at the percentages from 2018 he never had a good catch and shoot in general. Maybe he should go back to what got him to where he is today.
Moderator: Is there a player comparison you find especially relevant to Trae’s situation? Someone who has faced similar challenges and overcome them? Or, conversely, someone who never figured it out?
Stat Man Steve: That’s a great question. One player that comes to mind is Russell Westbrook. early in his career, Westbrook was an explosive scorer, but his shot selection and efficiency were often criticized.He embraced his role,but he never truly developed a consistent jump shot. We’re seeing similar shades of that with Trae,and my fear is that he’s repeating Westbrook’s mistakes. On the other hand, you have someone like James harden, who transformed from a talented sixth man into an MVP-caliber player by improving his shot-making and decision-making under pressure.
Moderator: So, what’s the solution, Steve? What does Trae Young need to do to get back on track?
Stat Man Steve: First, he needs to simplify things. Stop forcing shots, take what the defense gives him. Second, he needs to hit the gym. Hours and hours of repetition. Work on those three-pointers, free throws, and layups untill they become automatic. And third, he needs to trust his teammates. The Hawks have assembled a talented supporting cast. He doesn’t have to do it all himself. He should focus a little less on showy plays and a bit more on the fundamentals.
Moderator: Looking at the table it truly seems like the the most obvious area for imporvement is his shots percentage. He should really watch film and break it down.
Stat Man Steve: To improve his shots percentage, Trae should start with a detailed film study to identify patterns in his misses and opportunities. He should break down his shooting form, focusing on consistency in his release point, elbow alignment, and follow-through. It would also be beneficial for Trae to vary his training regimen, alternating between high-repetition drills for muscle memory and game-simulation scenarios to improve decision-making under pressure.
Moderator: Final thoughts, Steve? What’s your overall outlook for Trae and the Hawks?
Stat Man Steve: Look, I’m a huge Trae young believer. I know what he’s capable of. But he’s at a crossroads. He can either continue down this path of inefficient play and unmet potential, or he can adapt, evolve, and become the superstar we all know he can be. The Hawks’ season, and potentially their long-term future, hinges on his ability to make that choice. As for the outlook? I would expect them to be mediocre unless Trae changes things.
Moderator: steve, thanks for your candid and insightful analysis.Always a pleasure. I look forward to seeing if you are right.
Stat Man Steve: My pleasure. Go Hawks! (but seriously, Trae, start making those shots!).
Reader Engagement:
Do you agree with “Stat Man” Steve on this assessment of Trae Young’s shooting slump? is it a cause for serious concern, or simply a temporary dip? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! What do you think Trae needs to do to get back to being the offensive force he’s capable of?
