The bond between maximum-salaried Hawks star point guard Trae Young and newly signed head coach Quin Snyder will be imperative to establish for the future of the club, per Jeff Schultz of The Athletic.
“My focus with Trae is on what lies ahead,” Snyder said. “It’s an opportunity for both of us to make each other better, to challenge him and for him to respond and grow. He’s had so much success at a young age, and this is a tough league and you become highly scrutinized with everything you do. The discussions we’ve had is, let’s just get better. I’m not going to be right all the time and that’s the partnership that allows people to grow together. That relationship is important to me and I think it’s important to him.”
Rumored tensions between Young and former head coach Nate McMillan clearly soured that duo’s dynamic, and seem to have played a part in McMillan’s firing late last month.
There’s more out of Atlanta:
- Snyder elaborated on his decision to take over the head coaching gig midway through the 2022/23 season, as opposed to waiting to sign on until the summer, per ESPN/The Associated Press. “It’s always a challenge, but those challenges are often most rewarding and the best opportunity,” Snyder said. “As I thought about it, I think the opportunity to come in now, although maybe challenging, is also an opportunity to hopefully go on a run… Also, and I think these things are not mutually exclusive, to begin to build a foundation, a culture.”
- Hard choices await Snyder with Atlanta, details John Hollinger of The Athletic. Hollinger opines that he may want to start by juicing up the team’s three-point shooting and moving new addition Saddiq Bey into the starting five for power forward John Collins. Hollinger also has a few other small improvements in mind for freeing up the club’s offense, as well as team-building ideas beyond 2022/23.
- For his part, Hawks shooting guard Dejounte Murray appears to be excited to collaborate with Snyder, writes Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “For me, it’s his attention to detail,” Murray said of the element that most stands out in Snyder’s coaching technique. “He’s already been breaking down film, since there’s been a conversation for him to come here, and just listening to everything from defensive personnel to the offense of focusing on getting more mismatches and everything we want to do just to come together and build toward being a great team.”
Snyder took a bad Atlanta job because it doesn’t appear any high-profile jobs will be opening.
Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, Heat and Warriors head coaches are all on solid ground. It will take a 1st round playoff exit to bounce Doc Rivers from Philly. Billy Donovan is fine in Chicago as is Tyron Lue with the Clippers. Jason Kidd safe in Dallas. Utah has a new coach. Cleveland is safe. Denver is safe. Nothing good expected to open.
Kidd is next. Doncic doesn’t say much, but its a real possibility.
Atlanta did make the ECF. If Trae can play D as well Steph they have a shot. We shall see if he puts in that WORK that is necessary. They have some good youth on the bench too.
It’s a good job if he can get Trae to his best. Getting Trae and Collins right is his priority and then he’s got some real pieces to work with. The roster isn’t complete but the combination of talent + a good town/good market should make the Hawks the most appealing job that will be open over the next year.
That said, two of the most important players have been underperforming. Collins is especially notable because he has a perceived negative value on that contract. It’s a big ask but a new system and a new approach could absolutely push this team into the top half of the playoff bracket as soon as next year. No guarantees but there’s a clear opportunity here for all parties.
From the outside it looks like a great match and situation as long as everything clicks between the staff and the roster.
I wonder if Trae and Nate disagreed on basketball stuff or more like everyday life stuff? Anyone know?
Like Trae wanted the Saweetie Meal or the Cactus Jack meal at McDonalds but Nate said nutrition is important and made them go to Sweetgreen. But then Trae added so much dressing the changeup was negligible?
Anyone have insight on this?
My insight is that you are doing a really good sillivan impression
Don’t insult me like that