It happened again Monday afternoon — a Trae Young play that drives opposing players and coaches crazy. So much so that a few weeks ago it was brought up to the NBA’s Competition Committee in discussions about what can be done to stop it.
On this particular play, De’Andre Hunter initially made contact with Malik Beasley on the screen. Young sprinted to Clint Capela at the top of the key as soon as it happened, and the ball was handed to Young. Capela slipped the screen, making Beasley chase Young from behind, which is exactly where the Hawks’ guard wanted him. Naz Reid was in the paint and in front of Young but got trapped by his decision-making. If Reid closed on Young, the point guard would just have an easy lob to Capela for an alley-oop.
Now watch what happened.
Young jumped in the air and drew contact with Beasley, who was incensed that he was called for a foul. He imitated Young’s motion to the referee, as he jumped in the…
