76ers' Ben Simmons on Guarding Trae Young in Game 2 vs. Hawks: 'I Want to Do That'
Jun 6, 2021
Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons plays during Game 1 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons welcomes the challenge of defending Atlanta Hawks floor general Trae Young, who dropped 35 points to lead his team to a 128-124 road upset over the hosts in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series Sunday.
Derek Bodner of The Athletic provided Simmons' remarks:
Ben Simmons, whether he expects the defensive assignments to change for Game 2, where he would defend Trae Young more: "I probably would do that. I mean, I want to. If the refs aren't gonna call so many fouls and I can be physical and be 6'10", then I'll be 6'10". But we'll see."
Young, who shot 11-of-23 from the field, also dished 10 assists for a Hawks team that dropped 42 first-quarter points and led by as many as 26.
Philadelphia swingman Danny Green checked Young, but the problems extended further than one individual's effort. Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice broke it down:
this is not to say Green has been good (he hasn't), but quarter has been very reminiscent of previous year's teams vs. good guards. Chasing over the screen, guard gets going from midrange, defense gets stretched and now pull-up threes are dropping. Good luck!
Despite struggling for much of the game, the 76ers nearly came all the way back, cutting the Hawks' lead to three in the fourth quarter. Atlanta ultimately held off Philadelphia, who will now look to rebound in Game 2 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Trae Young Drops 35 as Hawks Take Game 1 vs. 76ers Despite Joel Embiid's Return
Jun 6, 2021
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young goes up for a shot during the second half of Game 1 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to a 128-124 Game 1 upset over the Philadelphia 76ers despite the return of Joel Embiid.
The guard scored 35 points in Sunday's second-round road win at the Wells Fargo Center. After making easy work of the New York Knicks in Round 1, the Hawks showed they will remain a tough team to beat in their first trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals since 2016.
Atlanta sent a message early with 42 points in the first quarter, eventually building a 20-point lead at halftime. It looked like it would stay an easy win until a furious comeback by the 76ers in the closing minutes.
Philadelphia ultimately cut the lead down to three with less than a minute remaining until a clutch Bogdan Bogdanovic three quieted the crowd.
The 76ers continued to fight, but Atlanta shot well enough at the free-throw line to survive with a narrow victory.
Embiid dominated with 39 points in his first game back after suffering a knee injury in Round 1, but the East's No. 1 seed still couldn't get the opening win of the series.
Let’s be real: no one has been better night in and night out in the NBA Playoffs so far than Trae Young. just speaking facts ain’t nothing hot about that!
Bogdanovic and Collins each had 21, while Kevin Huerter helped off the bench with 15 points.
The outside shooting and scoring depth meant opponents can't cheat off Young, making this a very difficult unit to stop.
Healthy Joel Embiid Not Enough for Sixers
The biggest story entering the series was the health of Joel Embiid after the MVP candidate suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee in Game 4 of the first round.
As good as the 76ers have been this season, playing without the star center was a terrifying proposition.
Embiid was fortunately able to play in Game 1 and looked as good as ever with some tough baskets inside.
The four-time All-Star kept the pressure on the defense, drawing a lot of fouls while also opening up opportunities for his teammates.
The problem is the 76ers didn't take advantage of the openings, finishing 10-of-29 from three-point range in the loss. A combined 19 turnovers as a team further slowed the offense.
Defense was also a major issue with uncharacteristically poor play on that end of the court.
The Sixers had the 2nd best defense this season, allowing 108 points per game.
Simmons made all seven of his shots from the field and had 10 assists to keep the offense flowing. He also hurt the team with 3-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line to go with five turnovers.
Small improvements from Simmons and the rest of the team could be enough to get the 76ers back on track in Game 2.
What's Next?
The teams will return to action for Game 2 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Joel Embiid's status for Game 1 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks is looming large over Sunday's two-game NBA Playoffs slate...
Trae Young Would Be 'Surprised' If Nate McMillan Doesn't Return as Hawks Head Coach
Jun 4, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 05: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks converses with Trae Young #11 during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at State Farm Arena on May 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young said
Friday he'd be "surprised" if interim head coach Nate McMillan
doesn't return for the 2021-22 NBA season.
Young appeared on WVEE Radio's The Big
Tigger Morning Show (via Jordan Cohn of Audacy Sports) and explained
he thinks McMillan has done enough to earn the full-time role:
I'm not surprised they haven't
announced because, I don't know, it could become a distraction. I
think everybody kind of knows what's going to be coming. We're all
winning, so it's not anything that I feel like he should be worried
about or anything like that.
It's just the timing. We're in
the playoffs, it's the end of the season. I don't think it's
something they want to take away from the team right now. I mean,
obviously, he's done a great job with helping us turn this around, so
I'd be surprised if he's not with us next year.
McMillan joined the Hawks' coaching
staff in November as an assistant. He was elevated to the head
coaching role March 1 after Lloyd Pierce was fired.
Atlanta was 14-20 at the time of the
coaching change. It posted 27-11 record after the switch to earn a
playoff berth as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks opened the postseason by
knocking out the New York Knicks in five games, with Young averaging
29.2 points in the series to lead the charge. They advance to face
the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals.
Jeff Schultz of The Athletic noted Thursday that McMillan sent a simple text message to Young before the playoffs
started: "You're built for this."
Now, with Young firing on all
cylinders and one of the NBA's deepest rosters thanks to a reserve
group led by Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter and Lou Williams, the
Hawks have emerged as a legitimate threat and a tough out in the
East.
McMillan's ability to get a team that
was trending toward a massively disappointing playoff-less campaign
into contention should ensure the interim tag is ultimately removed.
In March, the 56-year-old North
Carolina native said he struggled with the decision about whether to
accept the interim role and wasn't going to put any thought into the
full-time position, something he said wasn't enough mentioned with
general manager Travis Schlenk at the outset.
"I'm going to take this—and you
guys are going to hear me say this as much as you ask—one game at a
time," McMillan said. "... So far as the future and what I'm
looking for, I really haven't thought about that. There was no
conversation about that with Travis and I."
McMillan is in his fourth stint as an
NBA head coach. He previously spent seven seasons with the Portland
Trail Blazers (2005-12), five with the Seattle SuperSonics (2000-05)
and four with the Indiana Pacers (2016-20). He'd spent 12 years with
the Sonics as a player from 1986 through 1998.
He owns a 688-599 career coaching
record in the regular season, but a lackluster 21-37 mark in the playoffs.
The Hawks open their second-round
series with the Sixers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
Hawks' Trae Young: Negative Comments from Fans in Knicks Series a Sign of 'Respect'
Jun 4, 2021
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Trae Young (11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference first round series at Madison Square Garden on June 02, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wendell Cruz-Pool/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young took it as a badge of honor that he became a hated figure in Madison Square Garden during the team's playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Appearing on V103's The Big Tigger Morning Show (starts at 1:10 mark), Young called the booing and negative comments he heard from Knicks fans "a sign of respect."
Young immediately made himself a villain in Madison Square Garden with his game-winning floater in the final seconds of Game 1 against the Knicks. He followed that up by putting his index finger to his mouth in the universal symbol to quiet down.
Knicks fans started the rivalry before that game with a series of colorful chants about the All-Star guard as they were entering the arena for the first game of the series.
The negative response to Young got out of hand at one point in Game 2. The Knicks announced that a fan who spit on the Hawks star during New York's 101-92 win on May 26 was banned from MSG indefinitely.
After the Hawks won Games 3 and 4 at home, Young put a final exclamation point on the series when he took a bow late in the fourth quarter of the series-clinching win at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
It was an unceremonious ending for the Knicks, who made their first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 season.
Meanwhile, Young and the Hawks will take on the Philadelphia 76ers starting Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Trae Young on Praise from Derrick Rose: If He 'Only Knew the Impact He's Had' on Me
Jun 3, 2021
Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young warms up for Game 2 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in New York. (Elsa/Pool Photo via AP)
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young had a humble reaction to New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose's effusive praise of him following Atlanta's elimination of New York in the first round of the playoffs.
After Young and the Hawks beat the Knicks in Game 5 on Wednesday to advance to the second round, Rose had nothing but great things to say about the talented young guard:
“Everything has just fallen into place for Trae over there. I’ve always been a fan of his game.” ✊
With the win over New York, Young helped get the Hawks to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They will face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
While Rose was once one of the NBA's premier guards, being named an All-Star three times and winning the 2011 NBA MVP award, that distinction now belongs to Young.
The 22-year-old star was snubbed from the All-Star Game this season, but he still put up 25.3 points, 9.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers made per game for a Hawks team that went on a tear down the stretch to earn the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
There was a great deal of excitement surrounding the fourth-seeded Knicks entering the playoffs after ending the franchise's eight-year playoff drought, but they looked overmatched against the Hawks while losing the series in five games.
Young was the biggest reason for Atlanta's success against New York. He elevated his level of play and averaged 29.2 points, 9.8 assists, 2.8 three-pointers made and 2.8 rebounds per contest in his first playoff series.
The former University of Oklahoma standout also embraced the role of being a villain at Madison Square Garden and didn't let the vitriol of Knicks fans negatively impact his game.
Rose is now 32 years of age and closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he remains an important player capable of turning in some big-time performances.
He was undoubtedly one of New York's best players against Atlanta, averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, which were numbers well above his regular-season production.
Rose even turned in a 26-point performance in the Knicks' only win of the series, followed by a 30-point showing in Game 3.
Although Rose isn't the same player he once was earlier in his career, he has come back from multiple significant injuries and continues to be an important and productive player.
Rose's longevity is impressive, and it is something Young and all young players can strive toward.
Trae Young on Bow at End of Game 5: 'I Know What They Do When the Show is Over'
Jun 3, 2021
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Trae Young (11) of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference first round series at Madison Square Garden on June 02, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wendell Cruz-Pool/Getty Images)
Trae Young painted another masterpiece at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
The guard went off for 36 points and nine assists as the Atlanta Hawks eliminated the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, 103-89. At the end of the blowout there was little else for Young to do but take a well-deserved bow.
"I know where we are," Young said after. "I know there are a lot of shows in this city and I know what they do when the show is over."
Young's bow came with 43.7 seconds remaining right and immediately after he snapped off a 32-foot three-pointer to put the Hawks up 101-86. That capped off the third straight 30-point outing at Madison Square Garden for Young this postseason—putting him alongside Michael Jordan as the only visiting players to do so.
Even the Knicks couldn't help but admire Young's efforts. The Hawks star shared on his Instagram story that guard Derrick Rose gifted him a signed jersey after the game and offered words of encouragement.
"I've always been a fan of his game," Rose said. "I always called him whenever we played it's like the new era of point guards. He's small, he has to be crafty, his IQ of the game is very high."
Young will especially need to do that in the Eastern Conference Semifinals when he matches up against the Philadelphia 76ers and point guard Ben Simmons—a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
Four more wins in the postseason will give the NBA even more reason to respect Young. It'll have the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014-15.
At that point, it won't be Young bowing down. It'll be the rest of the conference bowing to him.
Trae Young, Hawks Defeat Knicks in Game 5; Advance to Face 76ers in 2nd Round
Jun 3, 2021
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks points at Reggie Bullock #25 of the New York Knicks after scoring in the first quarter during Game Five of the Eastern Conference first round series at Madison Square Garden on June 02, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wendell Cruz-Pool/Getty Images)
Madison Square Garden was bumping early on Wednesday night. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks couldn't have cared less.
The young Hawks ended the New York Knicks' season with a 103-89 thumping in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the teams. Atlanta showed major poise in the series, winning two of the three games in front of a rowdy New York City crowd.
That's playoff basketball. But Young and the Hawks weren't intimidated, ending the Knicks' best season in years and first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 campaign.
It will be a tough night in New York, even after a season with so many positives. In Atlanta, it feels more like a coronation as the Hawks come into their own.
Key Stats
Trae Young, ATL: 36 points, nine assists
Clint Capela, ATL: 14 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks
De'Andre Hunter, ATL: 15 points
Julius Randle, NYK: 23 points (8-of-21 from the field), 13 rebounds, eight turnovers
Derrick Rose, NYK: Six points (3-of-11 from the field), five assists
RJ Barrett, NYK: 17 points, seven rebounds
Clint Capela Pushed Guys Around
On a night when Young wasn't terribly efficient from the field (10-of-28) and struggled from deep (3-of-11 from three), the Hawks needed other players to step up. Capela did just that, controlling the low block. His defensive presence was huge.
Only time Knicks have been able to get anything at the basket is when Capela checks out.
Capela has backed up his trash talking tonight..outstanding game overall..even when he hasn't recorded a block, he still finds ways to alter shots, clean up the glass & make his presence felt #ATLvsNYK#NBAPlayoffs
“[The Knicks] trying to play tough, push our guys around and talk s--t, but we can do that too. … We can push guys around too, we can talk s--t as well, so what you gonna do about it?”
That subhead was probably true for nearly every game in this series.
Randle had a superb season, but it just didn't translate to the postseason. Whether that be the Hawks throwing different looks at him, Randle being worn down after appearing in 71 regular season games while averaging a whopping 37.6 minutes per contest, or simply him pressing and forcing the issue due to the Knicks lacking many reliable options on offense, he wasn't himself.
Not only has Julius Randle not had a good game in this series, he hasn’t had one good extended stretch of any game in this series
Tom Thibodeau's star players wearing down has been a storyline of his coaching career, given how heavily he relies on them in the regular season. Perhaps Randle was the latest example. Or perhaps he just had a run of tough games at the worst possible time.
Whatever the case may be, he wasn't good enough to keep the Knicks' season alive.
What's Next?
The Hawks will face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the second round.
Damian Lillard on Fan Behavior: Fans Won't Be Happy Until They 'Get What They Want'
May 31, 2021
Fans make noise to distract Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) as he shoots a free throw in the first quarter of Game 4 against the Boston Celtics during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Suffice to say the novelty of fans returning to the stands across the NBA has worn off.
In light of a fan throwing a water bottle at Kyrie Irving—the latest in a string of fan-related incidents during the 2021 playoffs—Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard offered a concerning prediction Sunday night:
It’s happening every game. They not gone be happy til they do it to the wrong guy and get what they want https://t.co/ZqsCeSm7j9
The implication from Lillard is a player-fan physical altercation will come if nothing is done to address the fan behavior.
Four separate incidents of fans crossing the line have taken place in the first week of the NBA playoffs, which saw many arenas around the league allow thousands of more people into the stands amid the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.
A Knicks fan spat on Hawks guard Trae Young during game action, a Sixers fan threw popcorn on Wizards guard Russell Westbrook, and three Jazz fans were banned from the arena for hurling racist insults to the family of Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.
Russell Westbrook appeared to have popcorn poured on his head by a fan on his way to the locker room with an apparent injury.
Westbrook had to be physically restrained from going after the fan in Philadelphia. While there are regularly enough people to hold back players whose anger boils over with unruly fans, Lillard is correct in foreshadowing a time when tempers might flare to the point it can't be stopped.
The NBA has avoided physical conflict between fans and players since the 2004 Malice at the Palace, one of the ugliest incidents in league history. Fans and players both seemed to learn valuable lessons in the aftermath of that; fans found out it's not a particularly great idea to challenge a group of extremely tall, physically fit men, and players saw their careers could be threatened if they crossed the line.
More than a decade-and-a-half has passed since then, and it's clear frustration among players is reaching a fever pitch.
"Fans gotta grow up at some point. I know that being in the house for a year-and-a-half with the pandemic got a lot of people on edge, got a lot of people stressed out. But when you come into these games, you gotta realize these men are human. We're not animals; we're not in a circus. You coming to the game is not all about you as a fan. Have some respect for the game, have some respect for these human beings and have some respect for yourself. Your mother wouldn't be proud of you throwing water bottles at basketball players or spitting on players or tossing popcorn. Grow the f--k up and enjoy the game. It's bigger than you."
While the league has condemned the fans and acted swiftly to ban them from their respective arenas, greater action may need to be taken if these acts continue to escalate.
Trae Young on Hawks' 3-1 Series Lead vs. Knicks: 4th Win Will Be 'Toughest' To Get
May 30, 2021
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) congratulates Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) after Bogdanovic scores during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Atlanta Hawks might have a 3-1 lead over the New York Knicks, but Trae Young isn't taking anything for granted.
"The last one to get is going to be the toughest," Young said after Sunday's game, per Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Young led the Hawks to a 113-96 win over the Knicks in Game 4, putting them one win away from clinching the best-of-seven first-round series.
Only 13 teams in NBA history have overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series, although the Denver Nuggets did it twice last year in the bubble.
The good news for the Knicks is two of the next three games will be at home, which could be a key advantage after going 25-11 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season. The squad needs just one road win to complete the comeback.
New York also hasn't played to its ability yet this series.
Julius Randle, the NBA's Most Improved Player, is shooting just 26.9 percent from the field and hasn't taken over like he did in the regular season. The three-point shooting and defense has also been disappointing compared to what we saw all year.
Considering the Knicks were the higher seed entering this series, a comeback is not out of the question.
Young is at least aware of the challenge and won't lose focus despite the lead.
The guard is off to a strong start to his playoff career, averaging 27.5 points and 10.0 assists in four games. If he keeps it up, the Hawks will be able to close out the series and advance to the second round.
