A team that shows up for each other off of the court will inevitably show up for one another on it and Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray was part of a consortium of players, personnel, and media members to put that in action this weekend.
Trae Young had the honor of having a street named after him in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma on November 5.
“THIS SO LEGENDARY,” Murray posted on Instagram. “KEEP GOING FRFR!!!!”
Celebrated Trae Young Drive with the whole squad! pic.twitter.com/XF6LBMY0P7
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 6, 2023
“Your own facility at the end of your own street. Wild,” Patty Mills posted on his Instagram.
“Respect bro,” Bogdan Bogdanovic said.
The mark Young, a two-time All-Star and back-to-back assists-per-game leader, has already made on the court has been well-documented. But his efforts off the court deserve equal recognition with the guard making it a point to give back to the community. It is even part of the mission statement of his charity, The Trae Young Family Foundation.
Young canceled over $1 million in medical debt for Atlantans and donated a $4 million multi-sport complex in Norman in 2020.
He has spoken out about social injustices, even at the expense of losing supporters.
And, in April of 2022, Young was presented with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for February for his “ongoing efforts to normalize the conversation around mental health and promote overall well-being” in both Oklahoma and Atlanta.
“Since my first year in the NBA I dreamed of building an organization that could help me create lasting, sustainable resources for kids in my communities,” said Young, per NBA.com. “I hope the Young Family Athletic Center is just the beginning and that I can continue to use my platform to advocate for others.”
Hawks have chance to match best mark of 2022-23
The Hawks won more than three games in a row just once last season, winning five straight from January 13 through January 20. At 4-2, and riding a four-game winning streak, they can match that mark here in the early going of the season.
It will not be easy to meet or, perhaps, exceed that mark though.
3 Straight Double-Digit Comebacks pic.twitter.com/SMlVL2oeyQ
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 5, 2023
They continue their three-game road trip with a visit to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 6 and will face the Orlando Magic on November 9, two up-and-coming teams with scrappy rosters. The Hawks then return home to host the Miami Heat but head right back out for a one-game road trip to face the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons will be the Hawks’ first opponent in the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament.