Trae Young didn't get off to the best of starts to the NBA Summer League and it quickly led to unfair criticism of the youngster. In his first six games, he shot a combined 6-of-35 from three-point range and Atlanta Hawks fans were already questioning if their team had made a huge mistake in the draft. They drafted Young with the number five pick after trading down and giving up the number three selection to the Dallas Mavericks. The youngster was struggling to assert himself and his biggest weapon had deserted him. He was rushing his shots and couldn't finish inside or be a creator for his teammates.But that finally changed for the 19-year-old on Tuesday night as he caught fire.
The penny dropped
He drilled seven threes in a 101-93 win against the Chicago Bulls and ended with 24 points.
That performance certainly gave the point guard huge confidence as he made crucial plays down the stretch in the following game against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
He was instrumental in inspiring a 27-point comeback for Atlanta as he showed off his all-around game.
Young finished with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc in a 107-101 win.
The former Oklahoma product also added eight assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action.
He's developed a reputation as a three-point specialist but his terrific passing ability shouldn't be overlooked and he put it on full display in the fourth quarter.
The Texas native ended the game with five consecutive assists and made a huge floater with less than 10 seconds to go in the contest to show that he can deliver in the clutch too.
His back-to-back breakout games are a positive sign for Hawks fans and will do him the world of good as he continues to prepare for his rookie season.
These latest displays by the guard prove that it's crazy to judge players over a few Summer League games.
He was a high lottery pick for a reason and will need time to adjust to the professional setting.
Young will face tougher defences in the NBA next year but it's clear that he's a real talent and will only get better.
Like any rookie, he'll have his ups and downs but he seems to be heading in the right direction and that should bode well for Atlanta.
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