The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend is over, and many were disappointed with the weekend’s festivities.
For Trae Young, it was his fourth time representing the Atlanta Hawks in the All-Star Game.
Despite leading the Hawks with 23.7 points and an NBA-best 11.5 assists per game, these numbers were not enough for an outright All-Star selection. Young was an injury replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The snub caused controversy among the NBA media, and around this time, rising star Jalen Johnson suffered a season-ending torn labrum, causing Young to step up even more without his co-star.
With Jalen Johnson out, Young Was Forced To Raise His Game
From Feb. 1-12, Young averaged 30.9 points and 12.3 assists per game.
Ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Hawks acquired Georges Niang, Terance Mann, and Caris LeVert. This required Landry Fields to trade De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers. Hunter’s value made him a coveted trade asset, and Bogdanovic’s health was a major concern for the front office.
After the trades became official, the three veterans contributed immediately. Niang and LeVert have been lights out from three and have thrived alongside Young’s generational playmaking ability. Mann has also proven to be a useful backup point guard with his defense and playmaking. The new Hawks helped secure three wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Orlando Magic.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, the win over the Magic came at the cost of Vit Krejci and Larry Nance Jr., who both suffered injuries on back-to-back possessions.
Regardless of the setbacks, the Hawks won the game 112-106 for a third consecutive win, but their flame was extinguished in a heartbreaking overtime 149-148 loss to the New York Knicks on Feb. 12.
Regardless of the loss, Young almost notched his fourth 20-20 game of the season with 38 points & 19 assists, further cementing his All-Star status.
Trae Young: From All-Star Snub To All-Star Reserve
Young has been snubbed in the past, but this year caused a lot of controversy in the NBA media. Numerous public figures came to his defense, including all-time great Charles Barkley, who defended Young on NBA on TNT when the All-Star reserves were first announced on Jan. 30.
https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1885118912867819673
“I will say one thing: I’m a little surprised about the Trae Young thing,” said Barkley. “ First of all, everybody deserves to make it, but I’m a little shocked Trae Young didn’t make the All-Star team because he’s played probably, in my opinion, his best year.”
Young was thrilled when he found out he would represent his franchise and gave his thoughts on the initial All-Star snub after being snubbed repeatedly in the past.
“It feels great; I mean, for me, it’s an honor to be out there regardless if I feel like I should’ve been called the first time,” said Young. “I had to accept it because of the people around me and who I wanna be representing when I go out there, so it’s an honor and an unreal feeling being an All-Star.”
Analyzing The Inconsistencies of NBA All-Star Voting & Selections
Young was a reserve on Barkley’s team of Global Stars, headlined by Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The arrangement was a magical moment, given that Barkley was one of the biggest names in the media calling for Young’s selection. Young even considered the fate of the selection because the two have always maintained a good rapport.
“That’s what the man above wanted. You know what I’m saying?” said Young. “Chuck has been giving us more compliments here recently, and it’s great whenever a legend is giving you compliments. Maybe he’ll give me more compliments now that he’ll get to be around me a little bit more during the weekend.”
Young accumulated four points and seven assists after two games during All-Star Weekend. The Global Stars defeated Kenny’s Young Stars 41-32, but they lost in the championship game to Shaq’s OGs 41-25 after a spectacular performance from Stephen Curry, who won All-Star Game MVP.
Ice Trae will always put on a show in the All-Star Game if given the playing time, and with a new supporting cast of grizzled veterans mixed with stellar young talent, he finally has a chance to become a perennial All-Star as the Hawks improve.
With their new pieces, this roster puts emphasis on Young’s strengths while also making up for his weaknesses. Their defensive perimeter consists of players with 6-foot-7 wingspans or longer, accompanied by consistent jump shooting. Both characteristics around Young help maximize his capabilities, and the world is beginning to witness his true potential with his league-leading assist production. The only plausible reason for Young’s previous All-Star snubs was poor team performance, and Tyler Herro’s selection this season provides evidence of this.
Herro leads the 9th-seeded Miami Heat and was selected over LaMelo Ball, who led all guards in fan voting with 1,908,967 but leads the 14th-seeded Charlotte Hornets.
The league must now find another excuse to exclude Young from the game. The 26-year-old superstar is on the verge of his prime years, and the Hawks will keep improving heading into the future.
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