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Since entering the league ahead of the 2018 NBA season, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has received comparisons to Golden State Warriors great Steph Curry.
The two have similar games as both get their bread and butter from the three-point line and are productive creators for their teammates. On Paul Georgie’s podcast, Podcast P presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Young addressed those comparisons, saying he sees the similarities while also pointing out a key difference.
“I never paid too much attention to it. I never was like, yeah, I’m about to be the next Steph,” Young said (22:21 mark). “No, I always felt like I took a little bit from everybody’s game. My favorite player was Steve Nash growing up and he’s led the league in assists, multiple years. Unfortunately he’s also led the league in turnovers, which I’ve done a couple years too. But I take pieces from a lot of players and so that’s why I feel like me and Steph, we have some similarities, but I mean I also get 10 assists a game.”
Young also mentioned that he has a relationship with Curry, with the two touching base every now and then.
“I remember the first time I ever was on the trade block and it was right before play-in game,” Young said (24:54 mark). I think it was two years ago. He texted me just telling me to stay focused and keep my head going and things like that. So he’ll drop some knowledge and give me some advice and things like that every now and then as a supporter. So he’s always been helpful.”
Over Young’s six-year career, the comparisons to Curry have dwindled some as he’s established his own game. While Young is still the prolific three-point shooter he was when he was compared to Curry, he’s also become one of the best passers in the league, something that has never been a big part of Curry’s game.
Young has averaged 9.5 assists per game across his career, recording a career-high 10.8 assists per game last season.
But something that Young is still looking to take from Curry’s game is leading his team to wins. Since he was drafted in 2018, Atlanta has only made it past the first round of the playoffs one time in 2021 and missed the postseason entirely last year.
Young played just 54 games during the 2023-24 season due to a hand injury, and he’ll look to stay healthy this year and help lead the Hawks to success.
