Sarah Stier/Getty Pictures
Earlier than going through the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard on January 20, Hawks ahead De’Andre Hunter sat down with HoopsHype to debate his profession season coming off the bench, his Sixth Man of the Yr candidacy, how coach Quin Snyder has unlocked his potential, Atlanta’s younger core going ahead, Trae Younger’s progress, and extra.
How did you discover your means right into a 3-and-D position and are available into the draft with that label?
Hunter: It’s a label. It’s not who you’re as a participant. You get labeled by the media or one other individual to be this, however I do know who I’m as a participant. I do know I play protection and might rating.
What’s led to your profession season whereas coming off the bench in a brand new position?
Hunter: I feel we’re taking part in quite a bit in a different way this 12 months. We’re positively shifting the ball much more. We’re getting out in transition much more. So far as my position, coming off the bench has been a distinct position. I feel I’m checked out because the playmaker or scorer in that second unit. That’s the expectation. I feel I can rating fairly properly, so it’s not too exhausting for me.
How has the crew’s dynamic modified after buying and selling Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels along with the younger core items already right here?
Hunter: I feel you see loads of progress, particularly with guys like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, who got here from New Orleans, the place he didn’t play an excessive amount of. You possibly can see what sort of defensive participant he’s. JJ (Johnson) has grown into being a star himself. If we proceed to progress and get higher, the sky would be the restrict for us. I feel we will compete with anybody proper now this 12 months. Hopefully, we will preserve the fellows collectively and proceed to get higher.
How would you describe taking part in for coach Quin Snyder?
Hunter: Quin has loads of vitality, however I name it good vitality as a result of he’s motivating, serving to, and guiding us to do the appropriate issues. He’s most likely certainly one of my favourite coaches I’ve performed for. I’ve acquired nothing however love for Q.
Is there something Quin Snyder has executed that’s impacted your sport?
Hunter: Quin actually believes in me. As a participant, when you possibly can sense {that a} coach believes in you, it does quite a bit in your confidence. He all the time talks to me. He tells me to shoot extra even once I assume I’ve shot quite a bit. Listening to issues like that basically makes it quite a bit simpler to go on the market and play my sport.
What are your ideas in your candidacy for Sixth Man of the Yr?
Hunter: Actually, I don’t actually care about it. If I win the award, I win it. If I don’t, nothing goes to vary in my life. It might be an honor if I get the award to get acknowledged by the NBA, but when we win as a crew and I don’t win the award, that might be higher for me.
What evolution in Trae Younger’s sport have you ever seen as his teammate?
Hunter: Trae is older. Once you change into older, you mature extra mentally and bodily. I feel you’re seeing that in his sport. I feel it’s slowed down for him a little bit bit. He’s all the time been an important passer, however figuring out the place guys can be and having years collectively the place you might have chemistry permits you to be higher your self and make higher selections. I feel that’s what we’re seeing. He’s all the time been, for my part, a unbelievable passer and scorer. I feel he’s simply taking it to a different degree this 12 months, particularly together with his passing.
Do you assume Trae Younger’s passing will get neglected as a result of he can rating 30 factors?
Hunter: I feel all individuals actually care about is scoring anyway. Followers, analysts, these individuals, that’s what they concentrate on. He averages virtually 12 assists. I feel that’s loopy and needs to be talked about extra, particularly coming from a man who can rating 30 or 40 any evening. I feel we have to develop extra of an appreciation for the general sport as a substitute of simply specializing in only one side of it.
