Ahead of the Atlanta Hawks game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, a former NBA star gets real about All-Star guard Trae Young. According to Kendrick Perkins, he believes Young doesn’t get the respect his game demands from the fans.
On Wednesday’s episode of “NBA Countdown,” Perkins talked about the lack of respect Young has received. The former champion cited that the Hawks guard’s outstanding play has separated him from other players but is still not getting enough love.
“When you think about guys who have the most 40-point games in Madison Square Garden, it’s [Michael] Jordan, Kobe [Bryant], Bernard King and Trae Young,” Perkins started.
“Here’s the thing, Young is the most disrespected star since Carmelo Anthony. Both were one-and-done phenoms, both of their franchises to the conference finals and still, they were disrespected and the fans were ungrateful for what they’ve done — what Carmelo done, and now what Young is doing.”
“What Young is doing right now, although his shooting splits are down, but his playmaking is at an all-world MVP level, Ala-Steve Nash and J-Kidd.”
"Trae Young is the most disrespected star since Carmelo Anthony." @kendrickperkins on the Hawks star 👀 pic.twitter.com/UV7j4khANa
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 11, 2024
For the 2024-25 NBA season, Young has led the Hawks to a 13-12 record, averaging 20.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 12.2 assists. Like Perkins said, the three-time All-Star has not shot the ball well this year, only making 38.5% from the field and a lowly 31% from deep. Still, he’s leading the league in assists for the first time.
Trae Young’s rivalry with the Knicks franchise
Trae Young’s rivalry with the Knicks stems from the 2021 playoffs. At that time, Young ruined the hearts of New Yorkers and led the Hawks to a 4-1 first round series victory. On Wednesday, the point guard is hoping to lead Atlanta past New York in the quarter-finals of the NBA Cup.
Before the game started, Young spoke about being viewed by fans as a villain. According to him, he doesn’t like being painted as an antagonist, but will take on the role if needed.
“I don’t like being a villain” Young claimed in video from Jameelah Johnson of AtlHawksFans.com “I don’t like being that way or that target, but if that’s what it needs to be, that’s what it’s got to be. That’s not like who I want to be or who I am in any way. I don’t think I turn myself into a villain; I feel like people turn me into a villain.”
Earlier today, I asked Hawks’ Trae Young how fun it’s been to lean into the “villain” role against Knicks fans.
“It’s cool. I don’t like being a villain. I don’t like being that way…I don’t think I turned myself into a villain, I feel like people turned me into a villain.” pic.twitter.com/jTR3nWGI9c
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) December 9, 2024
For more sports content:
Follow me on X at @BarbecueBro, and follow us at @HardwoodHeroics and @GridironHeroics. You can also reach out to Reign Amurao via email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
