Atlanta Hawks head into training camp looking for a bit of a reboot, and it starts with communication.
And the top priority is improving the communication between coach Nate McMillan and guard Trae Young.
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McMillan already started following his side’s elimination in the first round of the NBA playoffs, a stark contrast from their run to the Eastern Conference finals, the year before.
In June, the coach flew to visit Young in Oklahoma City, wanting to make sure everyone was on the same page when training camp began.
“One of the big areas that I feel we need to improve on is the connection between the two of us,” McMillan said. “I think we need to be better at communicating with each other and what we want to do and how we want to go about doing it.”
McMillan also wants Young, 24, to claim more of a leadership role, both on and off on the court.
“He’s the face of the franchise and it’s something that he has just inherited,” the Hawks coach explained. “He will have to work at it and become better.”
Young brushed off any attempt to suggest a break down between the coach and himself. “I think you’re trying to reach for something that isn’t there. The relationship isn’t rocky,” Young said. “We can all be better in areas. We’re all trying to get better. We’re not trying to stay the same.”
While there was speculation of changes within the Hawks after last season, however they decided to keep the faith in much of the roster. The big move was a trade that landed Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs for three first-round picks.
The Hawks will depart next Friday and spend nine days in the Middle East, where they are scheduled to play a pair of preseason games against the Milwaukee Bucks in Abu Dhabi.
From there, Atlanta will return home for their final two preseason contests.
“It’s a great opportunity for our guys to bond. We are looking at trying to put them in position for that to happen,” McMillan said. “We want our guys to spend that time together.”
It should also give Young a chance to begin getting those leadership qualities.
“I’ve always been a leader by example,” he said. “I’m still learning how to be a leader vocally. It’s not that I don’t do it; it’s just how can I be better at it. I think that’s what Nate is talking about.”
“Our relationship is great,” Young added. “My teammates love me, I love my teammates. Now we’re going to try to win this championship.”