Hawks point guard Trae Young has addressed the criticism surrounding his reputation as a ‘Coach Killer.’ Despite having three different head coaches in his five-year NBA career, the 24-year-old doesn’t believe the label accurately reflects his character. During a recent podcast interview with Draymond Green, Young shared his perspective on the matter.
Young expressed that he found the ‘Coach Killer’ label surprising, considering his limited experience with multiple coaches during his upbringing. He acknowledged the early impact of Lloyd Pierce, his first NBA coach, as a valuable mentor for a young and developing team. Young emphasized the mutual respect he shared with Pierce, highlighting their ability to navigate conflicts and maintain a positive working relationship.
“This journey has been tough because I didn’t have very many coaches growing up every year,” he said. “I didn’t really have too many different AAU coaches. So being labeled a ‘Coach Killer’ was crazy to me.”
Furthermore, Young discussed his time under Nate McMillan, who took over as interim head coach mid-season and guided the Hawks to a deep playoff run, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Young expressed his admiration for McMillan’s coaching abilities and the positive dynamic they shared, dispelling any notion of a contentious relationship.
“We had a really good relationship to begin with. That’s the only reason why he stayed and stuck around,” the former No. 5 pick told Green.
Young acknowledged the misunderstanding surrounding his involvement in coaching changes and expressed his indifference towards the ‘Coach Killer’ label. He emphasized the positive connections he had formed with both Pierce and McMillan, highlighting their shared goals and achievements on the court.
