3 reasons why Trae Young can lead Atlanta Hawks to a deep playoff run again in the 2021-22 NBA season

Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It was an unexpected sight, but it was well-deserved.

The Hawks were an exciting team to start the 2020-21 NBA season. They had a strong 2020 offseason, having brought in some veterans to play off the young core of Trae Young and John Collins.

In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Young took on the villain role given to him by New York Knicks fans. He helped the Atlanta Hawks beat the Knicks in five games before leading a seven-game series win over the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

An ankle injury hindered him and his team in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced eventual NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks.

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Why Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks could have another deep run in the NBA Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks just had another big offseason after signing John Collins to a five-year, $125-million contract. They are looking to have a successful 2021-22 season with Nate McMillan as head coach and the Young-Collins duo as their core.

Young made a big impact with last year's team, putting up 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game with 43/34/88 shooting splits in the regular season.

In this article, we take a look at three reasons why Trae Young could push the Atlanta Hawks to another deep postseason run in the 2021-22 NBA season.

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#3 Trae Young is heading towards a superstar-caliber NBA career

Atlanta Hawks Media Day.

Luka Doncic has been tipped as a sure bet to become a superstar in the NBA. However, Trae Young might go toe-to-toe with the Slovenian for supremacy in the league for years to come.

Of course, Doncic is the more impressive player in terms of his frame and impact on a basketball game. However, Young has already pushed his team to a deep NBA Playoffs run and has had many clutch moments on the journey.

In the years to come, we might witness Trae Young fighting for NBA MVP awards and putting the Atlanta Hawks, or any other team he plays for, in the elite tier of the league.

#2 Trae Young and John Collins looked like a solid duo in the 2021 postseason

John Collins #20 and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young was excellent in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, averaging over 28 points per game. He stepped up in big moments for the Atlanta Hawks, who were never favored in any series.

Meanwhile, John Collins averaged around 14 points and nine rebounds per game in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. He took full advantage of every offensive chance he got, putting up 54/36/83 shooting splits in 18 games in the playoffs.

With Collins back in the team, the duo might continue to evolve. We might also see the power forward enjoy more offensive chances to show his true potential.

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#1 Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks gathered crucial experience in the 2021 NBA Playoffs

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots as Derrick Rose #4 of the New York Knicks defends during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 28, 2021

Although the Atlanta Hawks did not reach the 2021 NBA Finals, the team's first postseason run with Trae Young was definitely extraordinary. It could even be the first step towards bigger results in the upcoming seasons.

Young established or equaled a couple of NBA records during his first postseason run. Whether the records were related to age or due to achievements in the incipient part of an NBA Playoff career, it was surely an excellent postseason for the 23-year-old.

Trae Young seems to be heading towards an illustrious NBA career, and his performances in the 2021 postseason could simply be the start of an era.

Over the three series the Atlanta Hawks played in the 2021 NBA Playoffs (winning two), Young averaged 28.8 points and 9.5 assists per game, with 41/31/86 shooting splits.

In the 2021-22 NBA season, Trae Young could establish himself as an NBA MVP candidate if he helps the Atlanta Hawks compete with the elite group in the Eastern Conference.

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