From the beginning of the season to the All-Star break, Mavericks F Luka Doncic was considered by many the undisputed Rookie of the Year. Doncic, all season, has been the go-to guy for the Mavericks and has delivered when it counted most. His signature step-back has torched defenses in many situations, and opponents just can’t stop it. Since the All-Star break, another rookie has made his name clear in the race and may be closer to the award than we think. That player is Hawks G Trae Young.
Trae Young has been a part of the Rookie of the Year discussion all season long. But, as of late, Young has been on a run that should put some well-earned respect on his name. He’s arguably matched Doncic’s scoring ability all season. Where Young has separated himself, as of late, is with his play-making. Dubbed with the potential to be the “next Steph Curry,” Young definitely showed flashes of the Warrior PG. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
By the Numbers
Young is averaging 18.3 points (second among rookies) and 7.8 assists (first among rookies) with 21 double-doubles (second among rookies). They may seem like average numbers, but there’s a reason this article is when it is. Young, since the All-Star break, has been the best rookie in the NBA.
| Opponent | Points | Assists | FG% | 3PT% |
| Pistons | 30 | 10 | 11-23 (48%) | 5-11 (45%) |
| Suns | 23 | 8 | 5-14 (36%) | 2-6 (33%) |
| @Rockets | 36 | 8 | 12-23 (52%) | 8-12 (67%) |
| Timberwolves | 36 | 10 | 9-22 (41%) | 2-5 (40%) |
| Bulls | 49 | 16 | 17-33 (52%) | 6-13 (46%) |
| @Bulls* | 18 | 5 | 6-9 (67%) | 3-4 (75%) |
*Young wa ejected 18 minutes into the game for “taunting” Bulls PG Kris Dunn.
Those numbers total to averages of 32.0 points and 9.5 assists. In terms of shooting, he’s hitting at a 49.3% clip, 51% from behind the arc. It’s a small sample size, but after the All-Star break, players and teams tend to either increase in performance or diminish. Trae Young has upped his game mightily. He’s had the stats to match Doncic, and now his play has been taken to a new level.
Yes, he shoots the ball often, but Young puts the ball in the basketball and has shown to be the key guy for the Hawks down the stretch. If his last six games aren’t proof that Young is on his way to putting up more impressive numbers, then nothing is. As we all know, however, numbers aren’t the whole story. Let’s take a look at what Young has specifically been doing on the court.
Eye-Test
Let’s start with Young’s historic 49-point, 16-assist game against the Chicago Bulls.
This is the game that may have made Young a legit contender for the Rookie of the Year award, and it may be the game that closed the gap on Luka Doncic. Young became the first rookie with 49+ points and 10+ assists in a single game since Earl Monroe. It was in a 4OT game, but it’s impressive nonetheless. In addition, he had ice flowing in his veins all night long. Doncic’s highest point and assist total on the season is 35 and 12, respectively.
Let’s now take a look at his performance against the Rockets.
In this game, Young went at it with MVP-candidate James Harden and held his own. If this game proved anything further, it’s that Young has been a different player since the All-Star break. His performance here is no different. Scoring wise, Young has arguably blossomed ahead of Doncic. In regards to playmaking, he’s already proven to be one of, if not, the best playmaking rookie in the league.
The Race Is Close
The only apparent flaw for Young this season has to be his team wins, but for the Rookie of the Year award, it’s usually solely based on individual performance. There, Young has been stellar.
Head-to-head after the All-Star break, Young virtually checks off all the boxes in comparison to Doncic. Maybe the obvious answer to the Rookie of the Year award was Luka Doncic, but now, Trae Young has heard the haters and has pushed onto the gas pedal.
Trae Young has somehow evolved in such a short time. He shoots the rock with pure ease. As elite of a scorer Doncic is, it can’t be stressed enough that Young has truly closed the gap as of late. Being caught up in the Luka craze shouldn’t take away from the fact that Trae Young is now right behind him in the race.
A small sample size was used to analyze Young, but if he can keep up his current level of play, he might just be the Rookie of the Year. But for now, we must put respect onto Trae Young’s name. He’s building his case and is closer to Luka Doncic than we all think.
Do you think that Luka Doncic already has the Rookie of the Year award locked up? Let me know below.
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