Every so often there is a coupling between a second-round draft pick and a team that seems to be destiny. This is the case with Sharife Cooper and the Atlanta Hawks. Cooper is a 6’1″ point guard who weighs in at 180 pounds. Does any of this sound familiar?
It should because they are the measurements of the Hawks superstar point guard Trae Young. He has shown that his size is not a limiting factor in his ability to impact a game and this is a tremendous boost for a player like Cooper. The rookie has an incredibly good work ethic and will be looking for ways to improve his game every day.
Modeling your offensive game off Young can not be a bad thing. He is one of the most dynamic scorers and passers in the entire league and knows how to get the most out of himself and his frame. He is able to use his quickness to create for himself and for others.
What the Atlanta Hawks can offer Sharife Cooper from their veterans
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
There are two things that Cooper can learn this season from Young. The first is how to slow down a little bit and make the right play. Young has been spectacular in the earlier part of his career but under coach Nate McMillan he has seen the value of slowing down and making the right play at the right time.
If Cooper was also able to pick up tips from Young as to how to shoot his floater effectively then this could also help the youngster develop his game in this league. However, there is one thing that Cooper is going to have to get used to and that is where having Lou Williams as a veteran helps.
Cooper is not going to replace Young in the starting lineup any time soon. In fact, he is going to battle for minutes behind Williams, Delon Wright, and even Skylar Mays with the way that the roster is currently structured.
One of the best players ever to come off the bench, Lou Williams will be able to help Cooper learn how to find the flow of the game. He will also be able to teach the rookie how to influence the game in subtle ways to help his team.