Why Kerr believes Trae compares more to Luka, not Steph originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
On the surface, Warriors superstar Steph Curry and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young have a lot in common. Both are undersized by modern NBA standards, both have the ability to hit 35-foot 3-pointers with ease and both were lottery draft picks who were doubted when they entered the league because of their smaller frames.
Curry revolutionized the game of basketball with his shooting and it’s easy to claim Young is his disciple, the next great deep 3-point shooter.
But Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn’t buying the comparison between Curry and Young. He actually believes the Hawks’ point guard is more like Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, who was drafted two spots ahead of Young before the two were traded for each other.
“I don’t see the similarity actually and I know people want to make it, maybe because of the deep shooting range,” Kerr said of the Curry-Young comparison before the Warriors’ game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday at Capitol One Arena. “I see more Luka with Trae, just in a smaller package. Luka’s obviously a big, massive wing and can see over the top of the defense and can bully his way through the paint, through defenders. But they have a very similar game in terms of, it’s going to be 50 high-screen and rolls, it’s going to be the ability to shoot a step-back three, to shoot a floater, get to the rim and pick you apart defensively.
“Trae had 15 assists against us. He was making cross-court passes that looked a lot like Luka. And that’s a pretty unique skill. So those guys remind me of each other more than Steph and Trae.”
Young had 33 points and 15 assists in the Hawks’ 121-110 win over the Warriors on Friday night at State Farm Arena. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft shot 12-of-20 from the field and 4-of-9 from behind the 3-point line. Curry wasn’t able to go shot for shot with Young because he’s back in the Bay Area rehabbing a sprained ligament in his left foot.
“And I don’t think anybody can compare to Steph in terms of what he does for us,” Kerr said. “Nobody moves off the ball like Steph Curry does. Nobody shoots it off the dribble like he does. So I think Steph and Trae are very different.”
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Kerr has been around the NBA for decades and has seen a lot of players come and go. Curry is one of the greatest players he has been around, so it’s natural that the bar would be set high for any comparison to the two-time NBA MVP and three-time champion.
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