Atlanta Hawks guards Trae Young and DeJounte Murray certainly rank among the most talented backcourt pairings in the NBA this season. In fact, Atlanta’s dynamic duo is averaging a combined 49.8 points, 16 assists, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 steals through the team’s first 19 games.
That’s huge for the Hawks, who risked a lot to acquire Murray from the San Antonio Spurs, tossing three future first-round picks and a 2026 pick swap their way to pair Young with a fellow all-star. Thus far, their fit has been virtually seamless, despite some initial concerns.
In nearly 450 minutes playing together this season, Young and Murray have a terrific net rating of +6.2. Moreover, they could be even better once Young’s shooting improves to the mean and Murray gets fully acclimated to their offense. That’s all well and good, but the two players are also insufferable together.
The Atlanta Hawks’ backcourt is great, but they are beginning to rub players and fans the wrong way.
Young’s antics are well-known, with him seemingly getting a kick out of antagonizing fans—just ask New York Knicks fans. Not to be outdone, Murray has shed the clean image that he cultivated with the Spurs for a far more irritating one.
Over the summer, Murray got into a war of words with fellow Washington State native and 2022 No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero after he showed him up in a pickup game.
https://twitter.com/overtime/status/1556409278956716032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1556409278956716032%7Ctwgr%5E60cb9017790d025643d715f0fffbd98bd58d7ce5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fnba%2F2022%2F8%2F8%2F23296343%2Fpaolo-banchero-dejounte-murray-beef-dunk-instagram-follows-video
He also raised eyebrows in their team’s most recent game by patting Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. on the head after draining a three in his face. After Young made a three, he continued to antagonize the Rockets by showboating.
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray were straight up TAUNTING the Rockets… AND STILL LOST! @PatBevPod pic.twitter.com/OYOWGXPWph
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 26, 2022
Not to be outdone, Young got into it with Rockets guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, apparently expecting them and the Rockets to back down. They didn’t. Of course, that all backfired in hilarious fashion when Smith Jr. and company came back from 10 down to win the game. Teammate Jalen Green then waved Young goodbye as he carried the L back to the locker room.
Jalen Green waving bye bye to the Hawks pic.twitter.com/ppduitJjAt
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 26, 2022
I’m not one to get offended by players acting brashly, but, c’mon. The Atlanta Hawks are more talented than they’ve been in recent years, but maybe they should chill, at least until they are well over 500. assuming they get to that point.
All in all, the Hawks have two exciting stars who can potentially help them go far in the playoffs. However, they aren’t exactly making fans with some of their on-court antics, and it’s already backfired by firing up the worst team in the league to storm back and beat them.