Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young’s rising star is raising expectations

Point guard Trae Young has been one of the few constants for the Atlanta Hawks (28-30) this season. His career year has been the reason the Hawks have maintained a puncher’s chance at cracking the playoff field, not just the play-in tournament. And after a week like this past one, it’s clear his star is just continuing to rise.

The week began with a loss to the Boston Celtics, included making it to the final round of the three-point contest, and will end with him making the second start in an All-Star game of his career.

Our money is on it not being his last.

Trae Young’s whirlwind week culminates in his second All-Star start

We’ve been tracking Young’s increasing exposure this season that began with his inclusion in the NBA’s advertisement celebrating its 75th season. He has also been featured in some recent State Farm Insurance commercials alongside Phoenix Suns point guard, Chris Paul, and, of course, Jake from State Farm.

Young’s signature shoe, the ‘Trae Young 1’, dropped back in October and he just had his high school jersey retired.

He also graced the cover of ESPN the magazine.

Now, after starting the All-Star game two years ago but missing last year’s contest, he will be recognized along with his peers once again as one of the league’s best. It’s a drum Hawks fans and media have been beating for some time.

We have taken every opportunity to bring up his historic season.

He would be one of just 13 players to average 27 points, nine assists, and three rebounds if his season averages hold and he will have done it twice.

If you include his 45.6 field goal percentage and 38.3 mark from long distance, he is 1-of-1.

Yes, they had the loss to Boston. But that team has been red-hot themselves since the trade deadline. And the Hawks went on to win their next two contests including one over the higher-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

Young has averaged 31.0 points on 44.3 percent shooting while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc in that span.

He’s also averaged 8.3 assists (to just 3.0 turnovers), 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

If Nate McMillan’s steadiness has been perfect for the Hawks on the sideline amid a tumultuous season, and it has, then Young’s fiery demeanor is perfect for a bunch that can be prone to just going through the motions.

That can even include Young who also catches flack for his lack of stopping power on the defensive end.

We’re on record as saying that that is a roster-construction issue more than one for Young who has never been a good defender but is also the engine for the offense. To his credit, he has given better effort on that end, and, as his steal numbers over the last three games would indicate, he can be a pest playing passing lanes.

Young also acknowledges the need for consistency from the Hawks as they get set for the backend of the regular season, one that he said was hard to always get up for.

Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season can do that.

Well, at two games below .500 and with just 24 games to go, the Hawks have to put words into action the rest of the way and into the playoffs and it has to start with none other than their leader and one of the NBA’s best point guards in Young.