Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young is a case study for new NBA rule changes

One storyline which has swept the NBA landscape so far this season has been the new rule changes. Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has been one of the many players affected by this.

The rule changes have largely benefitted the defender. Referees are calling fewer fouls than ever, and in turn, teams are taking fewer free throws than ever before in NBA history.

Players such as Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, and Damian Lillard are struggling, too. Young has even spoken out about these rules, and he cited Booker in doing so.

"“You can watch basketball. Damian Lillard‘s never averaged 17 points probably since his rookie year. There’s a couple guys. I mean, Book’s [Devin Booker] averaging 18. There’s a lot of things that, when guys are driving straight and guys are getting knocked off balance — it’s still a foul, whether they’re using their lower body or their hands…” – Trae Young"

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is the perfect case study for the new NBA rule changes

Young was one of the players last year who seemingly abused the league’s rules in order to get to the line. He was often seen jumping into defenders in order to draw a foul.

Lots of players and fans grew weary of Young taking advantage of the way games were called. There was so much of an outcry, that the league actually changed these rules.

Nowadays, offensive players can be called for fouls if they initiate contact with the defender. This takes an entire play out of Young’s playbook this season and beyond.

The initial effects of the rule changes can be seen through some of Young’s stats. First and foremost, he is drawing significantly fewer fouls this year compared to last year (6.8 vs. 5.3).

In turn, Young has attempted far fewer free throws than he did last season. So far this year, he is averaging 5.6 attempts per game, while last year he shot 8.7.

The Atlanta Hawks point guard is attempting fewer threes this year than last year and still shooting a much lower percentage. A big reason behind this could be the new rule changes.

Since defenders aren’t being penalized as much for closing out, then they are, in theory, more likely to play aggressive defense. In tandem, Young is going to have a harder time generating easy looks from deep.

This could be the main reason behind his dip in three-point percentage, and it could also be the reason his field goal percentage is down. Defenders are more likely to play aggressive defense without the risk of being called for a foul.

Young can no longer be bailed out for taking bad shots from deep. This means he’ll not only be taking fewer threes, but he won’t be able to get to the line by shooting them, either.

His percentages have dropped from 43.8 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from deep last year to 40.8 percent from the field and 27.9 percent from deep this year.

As of now, the Atlanta Hawks are 4-4 and Young continues to struggle. He is the perfect case study as to how these new NBA rule changes are affecting the game.

Young’s play is clearly showing that they have had a serious effect on the league. Whether they are good or bad is all in the eye of the beholder.