Young: 'I would be the best player' ever if I were taller
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young believes he'd already be one of the greatest players in NBA history - if only he were taller.
"If I was 6-(foot)-8, I feel like I would be the best player to ever play this game," Young said on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast. "Just because of my mentality and the way I play, the smartness I have on this game."
Young added that he used to hate players who leaned on height as their only skill on the court.
Listed at 6-foot-1, Young has averaged 25.5 points over six NBA seasons. He finished twice in the top 10 for points per game in a campaign, averaging a career-high 29.6 points across 60 contests in 2019-20.
The three-time All-Star also said there are challenges playing at his height.
"There's a lot of deficiencies. ... It's tough. I'm playing in a big man's game."
Young guided the Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021 as part of three straight playoff appearances. However, Atlanta missed the postseason last campaign, finishing 36-46.
The Hawks host the Nets on Oct. 23 to open the season.