Trae Young keeps getting more attention around the NBA with his good performances and attitude during the 2021 NBA playoffs. Although not everybody is a fan of that, the Atlanta Hawks guard isn’t bothered. Instead, he continues to tease rivals every time he enters the court.
Recently, fans called him out for doing another shimmy in Game 2 of the ECF. After sinking a 3-pointer vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, Young did the shimmy, which sparked many reactions around the league.
While some people don’t like those antics and that attitude, others really enjoy watching Trae doing his team. One of those is Reggie Miller, who only has good things to say about the young player. Miller found himself in that position more than once during his career, which is why he doesn’t mind watching another player be the villain in the East.
Via USA Today Sports:
“Not everyone is going to be able to wear the white hat and be cheered and adored in foreign buildings,” Miller said on a TNT video conference. “Michael Jordan was adored everywhere he went, not only at home but on the road. He was the best player. I embraced and I loved wearing the black hat. It kind of looks like Trae enjoys being on the road, performing at the highest stakes and quieting crowds.
“I think it’s all a mindset, and I think he’s accepting that he’s not the beloved player. Certainly, at home, he is. But his skill set is so good, and he’s so talented, I think the reason people boo and jeer is they respect his game. I hope he feels that way. He’s only 22 years old. He has a lifetime of a career left. But I hope he understands the reason they’re saying and doing these things is that they really respect his game. I think he’ll appreciate it the older he gets.
“But it’s been a joy to watch. … To see it up close, an unbelievable talent, and it looks like he’s having fun with it.”
Like Miller did in the 90s, Young became the antagonist of the New York Knicks’ season. The player went to the Madison Square Garden, ready to beat the Knickerbockers, dominated them, and ended their Cinderella story in five games. After that, he went to an even more challenging place in Philadelphia, giving the 76ers a hard time before eliminating them in seven games.
This kid is already making a lot of noise in his first playoffs appearance. His ceiling is still unknown, especially knowing he doesn’t back down to any challenge, regardless of the rival and the place.
Now he’s trying to get past the Milwaukee Bucks in the ECF. Although he did that shimmy in Game 1, the Bucks gave him a reality check with a humbling 125-91 defeat on Friday night. Trae is a villain, that’s true, but some ‘heroes’ are ready to stop him and his team before the NBA Finals.
