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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 12 months 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 might be as a participant. You get labeled by the media or one other particular person to be this, however I do know who I’m as a participant. I do know I play protection and may rating.
What’s led to your profession season whereas coming off the bench in a brand new position?
Hunter: I believe we’re enjoying lots in a different way this yr. We’re positively transferring the ball much more. We’re getting out in transition much more. So far as my position, coming off the bench has been a special position. I believe I’m checked out because the playmaker or scorer in that second unit. That’s the expectation. I believe I can rating fairly effectively, so it’s not too onerous 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 believe you see lots 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 believe we are able to compete with anybody proper now this yr. Hopefully, we are able to hold the blokes collectively and proceed to get higher.
How would you describe enjoying for coach Quin Snyder?
Hunter: Quin has lots of power, however I name it good power as a result of he’s motivating, serving to, and guiding us to do the best issues. He’s in all probability one in every of my favourite coaches I’ve performed for. I’ve acquired nothing however love for Q.
Is there something Quin Snyder has performed that’s impacted your recreation?
Hunter: Quin actually believes in me. As a participant, when you’ll be able to sense {that a} coach believes in you, it does lots on your confidence. He all the time talks to me. He tells me to shoot extra even once I suppose I’ve shot lots. Listening to issues like that actually makes it lots simpler to go on the market and play my recreation.
What are your ideas in your candidacy for Sixth Man of the 12 months?
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 will 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 may be higher for me.
What evolution in Trae Younger’s recreation have you ever seen as his teammate?
Hunter: Trae is older. While you develop into older, you mature extra mentally and bodily. I believe you’re seeing that in his recreation. I believe it’s slowed down for him a bit of bit. He’s all the time been an excellent passer, however understanding the place guys shall be and having years collectively the place you have got chemistry permits you to be higher your self and make higher choices. I believe that’s what we’re seeing. He’s all the time been, in my view, a implausible passer and scorer. I believe he’s simply taking it to a different stage this yr, particularly along with his passing.
Do you suppose Trae Younger’s passing will get missed as a result of he can rating 30 factors?
Hunter: I believe all folks actually care about is scoring anyway. Followers, analysts, these folks, that’s what they deal with. He averages nearly 12 assists. I believe that’s loopy and ought to be talked about extra, particularly coming from a man who can rating 30 or 40 any evening. I believe we have to develop extra of an appreciation for the general recreation as an alternative of simply specializing in only one side of it.
