Trae Young and Nate McMillan Hate Each Other
Trae Young and Nate McMillan don’t like each other. Tensions have seemingly escalated further after the latest report from The Athletic‘s Shams Charania and Sam Amick.
“Hawks All-NBA guard Trae Young and coach Nate McMillan had an exchange at Friday’s shootaround that led to Young choosing not to attend the team’s home win over Denver at State Farm Arena, sources with knowledge of the situation tell The Athletic.
“While Young was receiving treatment on his right shoulder, sources say McMillan asked him whether he would participate in shootaround, receive treatment during walk-through and play in the game against the Nuggets. But Young made it clear that he wanted to focus solely on his treatment while missing shootaround and deciding later in the day whether he would play.
“That approach, however, was not McMillan approved. Since the face of the Hawks’ franchise was deciding not to take part in shootaround, McMillan ultimately presented him with two options for that night’s game, sources said: Play off the bench — or do not show up to the arena. Young responded by saying he would not be playing against the Nuggets, and the team ruled him out while citing right shoulder soreness.”
Quote via The Athletic
There seems to be a lot of events that could have led to this. Young has not shot well despite posting averages of 28 points, nine assists and three rebounds per game. He’s shooting 41% from the field and more notably, 30% from 3-point range. Yikes. Though, it could be Trae’s shoulder that could be leading to these numbers.
Regardless, this does seem like a slight overreaction by McMillan. Nevertheless, when you have the straw that broke the camel’s back, I can understand blowing something like this out of proportion.
Young is the franchise player for the Hawks, but McMillan is still the coach and maintains some authority over him, despite his job security being less secure than Young’s.
As mentioned, this seems only to be a small part adding to a bigger picture, according to The Athletic‘s report Sunday.
“For the Hawks, this issue is a microcosm of tension that exists among Young, McMillan and the locker room. The Hawks have held multiple team meetings early this season to resolve various conflicts, sources with knowledge of the situation said.
“For Young, whose strained relationship with former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce played a large role in his firing in March 2021, it’s the latest sensitive situation that has caused many people within the Hawks to question Young’s leadership approach.”
Quote via The Athletic
Young and the Hawks have been underwhelming this season despite adding All-Star guard Dejounte Murray this offseason. The Hawks seem like they’re going nowhere with Murray and Young as their backcourt.
In all honesty, this team tries a little too hard to be the villain — Murray even tapped on someone’s head in a game the other night. This is the NBA, not the Drew League or some shit, it’s not a good look. While I don’t think Lloyd Pierce or McMillan are world-class coaches, Young is gaining reputation as a coach killer — FAST. Something has got to give.
Could this article be an overreaction? Perhaps, but think about your work setting for just a moment.
Think about your coworker or your boss and those petty little arguments that you have with them and think if those are overreactions as well. All I am saying is it’s not hard to know when two people don’t like each other and this is a prime example of that. I don’t like people here at Vendetta — I’m sure they’re aware of it too — just like I am aware when people don’t like me. Crazy, people not liking Chickster, what a Looney Tunes world.
Anyway, could this spell signal McMillan’s impending exit from Atlanta? Or will the Hawks, more importantly Trae Young and Nate McMillan, figure it out? My bet is on the former.
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