Before All-Star weekend, when it came to the best rookie of the season, almost everyone thought Luka Doncic was the best. But with his magical performance over the past month, Hawks rookie Trey Young has emerged as a strong contender for the award.
NBA officials announced that Trey Young and Harden were selected as the Eastern and Western players of the Week last week; Three days ago, Trey Young threw a game-winning game against the 76ers; Moving forward, he broke a series of records in team history and scored his first career triple-double in the regular season.
"Judging from the outstanding performance of this rookie class, this may be the most competitive year for the best rookie award. Trey Young is improving all the time, he's getting more mature." As Irving said, as the season progresses, the rapid growth of Trey Young has every chance to challenge Luka Doncic for the rookie of the season.
Been chasing Doncic
Trey Young and Luka Doncic, two players destined to be "enemies for life".
In the 2018 draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Doncic with a scout pick, and the Dallas Mavericks selected Trey Young with the fifth overall pick, and subsequently, the two high draft picks switched teams.
"I know very well that me and Luka will always be compared until the end of the season. Trey Young is no stranger to such a public opinion environment, since college, he has been evaluated by the American media as "the next curry", "I have heard it too many times, and now it has been conditioned."
Therefore, when Doncic played a stunning game in the Lone Ranger, refreshed a rookie record, and swept almost all the rookie honors, when the outside world continues to mention that Doncic and Trey Young exchanged this "deal", the Eagles suffered a big loss, and Trey Young did not shake too much.
Trey Young said, "The first month I entered the league, I shot only 19 percent from 3-point range, which was really bad. But I feel like I'm starting to get into it and I'm finding a rhythm in my game and it's a lot easier than it was at the beginning."
He is accustomed to the intensity of the NBA defense, more and more understanding of each opponent, and more and more familiar with the team's tactics and the characteristics of his teammates. "Playing and traveling became the biggest thing I had to get used to," Young said.
It ranks first in the rookie assists list, second in the rookie scoring list, and third in the three-point list. 74 regular season games, maintaining full attendance and starting on the field, Trey Young used actual combat and experience to narrow the gap with Doncic.
Doncic has long been a favorite for rookie of the Year.
For Trey Young, this past week has been one to remember.
Against the Rockets and Jazz, Trey Young scored at least 20 points and 10 assists in 14 games this season, setting a new Atlanta Hawks team record. Three days ago in the face of the 76ers, when the two teams fought to 127 peacetime, Trey Young completed the throw under the defense of Butler, showing the true nature of the big heart.
After the game, Trey Young took to social media to show off his game-winning moment, writing: "No need to say more." Jazz guard Mitchell and Lakers forward Kuzma retweeted the video of the game and said Trey Young deserved to be the rookie of the year.
"He's the rookie of the year." Hawks coach Pierce did not hide his love for disciples, he said, "About a year ago, Trey Young's shooting just started, and the last month and a half, his shooting has evolved to an unprecedented height." I don't know how many rookie records he's set so far, but I do know that even compared to all the rookies, he's an incredible player."
Trey Young's growth, coaches, opponents, fans all see in the eyes, the NBA official naturally has a reasonable judgment.
Just yesterday, the new Eastern and Western Conference player of the week was announced. The best player in the West is Harden, who scored 57 points and 61 points in a row last week, and Trey Young averaged 25.3 points, 4 rebounds and 11.3 assists last week, successfully winning the best player in the East.
Being named Player of the Week in his rookie season is something Doncic has yet to accomplish. In this category, at least, Trey Young is one step ahead of Doncic.
The best rookie is still up for grabs
"I've always been very confident, and now I'm very confident." Trey Young has the most important qualities for a successful NBA player.
For the competition with Dongcic, the best rookie of the season award belongs, Trey Young is very optimistic, "Of course I want to be the best rookie of this year." Luka has had a great season, he has played well throughout the season and had several incredible performances, and I have been competing against him. I've been on fire lately, and if I keep playing like this, I definitely have a chance to win Rookie of the Year."
In Trey Young's view, the Eagles and the Lone Ranger's record and ranking are similar, and they are not in the playoffs, "whether the team wins will not be the only deciding factor." I still want to win, so you'll see."
Of course, Trey Young's career isn't just about competing for rookie of the year, and he knows that too well.
In the face of questions from the American media, Trey Yang said with a smile: "I don't like to set a ceiling for myself, I think I have unlimited possibilities." I want to be a great player, I want to win a championship, and a couple of MVPS would be great."
The rookie season is coming to an end, and in addition to playing the remaining eight regular season games and striving to gain the upper hand in the competition with Doncic, Trey Young also has his eyes on the next season and beyond.
The Eagles are a young team, in addition to the 20-year-old Trey Young, John Collins, Prince is also a newcomer to the league soon. Trey Young believes the Hawks will be the most attractive team in free agency in the future.
"Our team is young, but we have been playing well recently, the team has been playing exciting games and Atlanta is an exciting city. We are two or three crucial steps away from really taking off, maybe with one or two players. I'm not the charismatic type, but I think I could make a good team core." Trey Young is going to build a career in the city of Atlanta, in the Hawks.
