"Don't ever count Trae out"- Shaquille O'Neal rallies behind Trae Young to carry Hawks to playoffs despite slim odds
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal believes Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks can make it to the playoffs this season. On Friday's episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq," O'Neal expressed his admiration for the Hawks' ability to make the playoffs under Young's direction.
The Hawks missed the 2024 playoffs after an injury-filled season. Young played 54 games, and Dejounte Murray played 78 games. Atlanta was a play-in team last year in tenth place with a 36-46 record.
This season, their eyes are set on returning to the playoffs. However, most playoff predictions have written them off at the start of the new season. ESPN gave the team a 37.8% chance of making it to the postseason, 20th among the 30 teams.
However, O'Neal strongly believes Young can lead the Hawks back to the playoffs this year.
"They will make the playoffs," O'Neal said.
Shaq talked about how Young can lead the team to the play-in but needs a favorable matchup to secure a playoff spot.
"They're not bad to where they go below ten. It's all about matchups, so ten plays nine or whatever, ten plays seven or eight. Don't ever count Trae out. Because if he heats up, he can carry. But can he carry the whole season by himself to where they're in the fifth, sixth, seventh spot? No. That's no disrespect to Trae. He's one of my favorite players.
"But he needs help. He out there by himself. But if they get in the ninth, tenth spot and get a matchup that favors them, I'm gonna go and say yes. They make it because I have that much confidence that Trae can carry us for three or four games, and I know he can do that."
After seven games this season, the Hawks have a 3-4 record and are seventh in the East.
Shaquille O'Neal thinks the Hawks should give Young more help
The Hawks have struggled to pair Young with another All-Star. Since they traded for him during the 2018 NBA draft, the organization has not acquired a star who could help him lead the team. Their best push was trading for Murray, who only stayed with the team for two seasons.
In his podcast, Shaquille O'Neal mentioned that Young needs help for Atlanta to achieve notable success.
"He needs help, he needs another respectful jock on the team," Shaq said. (32:31)
The star guard has played seven games this season, averaging 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 11.7 assists.