Why Steph vs. Trae battle is matchup to look at in Warriors vs. Hawks initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
The Atlanta Hawks had a imaginative and prescient when deciding on Trae Younger fifth total within the 2018 NBA Draft. Normal supervisor Travis Schlenk hoped Younger might have an effect much like that of a degree guard drafted throughout his 13 years with the Golden State Warriors.
A fellow named Stephen Curry.
That was the comparability when Younger got here out of the College of Oklahoma. Like Curry, drafted seventh total in 2009, Younger was small (6-foot-1, 164 kilos) by NBA requirements however exhibited unimaginable vary on his leap shot.
Although Curry and Younger have constructed a relationship over the previous six years, they’ll be making an attempt to beat one another Wednesday night time when the Hawks face the Warriors at Chase Heart. Tip off is at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Younger is second within the league in assists (11.6 per recreation, second within the league) however is scoring at a price barely under his profession norms: 22.6 factors per video games, with 38.2-percent capturing from the sphere, together with 35 % from deep. The Hawks are 7-8.
Curry is, against this, having a strong season, averaging 23.0 factors per recreation, capturing 47.9 % from the sphere, together with 42.7 % from distance. He’s averaging 6.4 assists per recreation. The Warriors are 10-3 and have received 9 of their final 11.
On the macro degree, nonetheless, Younger, has established himself as a drive. He orchestrates Atlanta’s offense, and solely three gamers have recorded extra assists since he entered the league. He’s, conceptually, the engine that makes the Hawks go.
The problem is that they have a tendency to “go” much less with Younger than with out him. They win at a barely decrease price (189-232, .449) when he performs than when he sits (28-33, 45.9). Within the one recreation he has missed this season, the Hawks dropped the Celtics in Boston for his or her third consecutive win over the champs – all with out Younger.
Thus, the talk that rages amongst Hawks followers and NBA observers is whether or not the workforce can be higher with out Younger.
That by no means has been a dialogue with Curry’s impact on the Warriors. They’re 625-341 (.647) when he performs and 87-147 (.372) when he doesn’t.
Although Younger is capturing 35.4 % from deep for his profession and Atlanta has missed the playoffs in three of his six seasons. Curry, the undisputed king of triples, is at 42.6 % and owns 4 championship rings.
Schlenk’s imaginative and prescient of Younger altering a franchise has not come to fruition, and he’s now within the entrance workplace of the Washington Wizards.
Steph and Trae have the instruments to current an thrilling present, however one will not be like the opposite.
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