The Atlanta Hawks turnaround last season was keyed by several factors. Among them was an introspective discussion about the playing style of the team. But another was Nate McMillan taking over for Lloyd Pierce as head coach. Atlanta went from six games under .500 to posting the third-best record from that point on.
Now, the Hawks are bringing former player development assistant Nick Van Exel back into the fold, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This time, it is as an assistant replacing the departed Marlon Garnett who left for the Charlotte Hornets.
This move could key the next step in Trae Young’s (and Sharife Cooper’s) development.
New Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Nick Van Exel could help Trae Young reach another level
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Van Exel averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 assists over a 14-year career, making his mark with his speed and penchant for hitting buzzer-beaters.
If any of that sounds familiar it’s because the Hawks current point guard, Young has turned that into a habit of his own, coming off of a 25.3-point, 9.4-assist per game season of his own.
But that’s not the only area Van Exel can help further the superstar guard’s development.
Early in his career, Van Exel received what was at the time the largest fine in NBA history after he pushed a referee. He was also suspended for seven games.
Young hasn’t come anywhere close to that level of transgression. But there were moments, especially during the playoffs, when he would argue with referees resulting in a technical foul. He finished with 10 techs last season, tied for 11th most in the league.
Some of that goes away with age. But Van Exel can only help to drive the point home. And we already know Young is receptive to coaching.
Not only did he react positively to McMillan but the “discussion” between him and Collins ultimately led to a tremendous run. And Van Exel has hit big shots in the Western Conference Finals similar to Young shutting down Madison Square Garden on the New York Knicks and ending the Philadelphia 76ers season.
Nick Van Exel was an assassin!@vanexel31 via @NBA pic.twitter.com/Yzl6LdE0pr
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 30, 2019
His impact on Cooper could be even more pronounced with the rookie still being so raw. But both of these players will undoubtedly reap the benefits.
After his career that saw him play for six teams, Van Exel joined the coaching ranks first at Texas Southern University before joining the Hawks in 2010 through 2012 as the player development instructor.
He comes over from the Mavs where he spent a year and a half of his playing career, mostly coming off of the bench. Van Exel has also been an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies.
One thing we probably won’t see Young incorporate into his game is Van Exel’s unique free-throw routine. Still, another former quality point guard in the room with Young can’t hurt.