Trae Young just got his shot at NBA All-Star glory – and he might be the perfect underdog story we’ve been waiting for.
The Hawks’ sharpshooter wasn’t even supposed to be here. He was one of the original “snubs” when the All-Star rosters came out, only making it in after Giannis Antetokounmpo got injured.
Now he’s got something to prove.
The oddsmakers at FanDuel have Young as a long shot to win MVP, giving him +4,200 odds. But here’s why that might be a mistake.
All-Star games are made for players exactly like Young. He’s got that crazy deep-range shooting that puts him in the same conversation as Steph Curry and Dame Lillard. And let’s be honest – this is exactly the kind of showcase where those half-court bombs get the crowd going wild.
Think about what makes All-Star games special: fast breaks, flashy passes, and shots that make you jump out of your seat. That’s basically Trae Young’s highlight reel on a regular Tuesday.
He’s got the whole package that typically wins these things. The MVP usually goes to guards or wings who can put up big numbers – sorry, big guys – and Young can fill up a stat sheet faster than most.
“I think people forget just how explosive Trae can be,” says one Eastern Conference scout. “Give him an open floor and no real defense? That could be scary.”
Here’s what makes it really interesting: Young’s got that chip on his shoulder from being snubbed initially. We’ve seen how he responds when he feels disrespected – just ask the Knicks fans about that.
The stage is set for something special. Whether it’s a logo three-pointer in the final minutes or some ridiculous behind-the-back pass that breaks Twitter, Young’s got all the tools to steal the show.
Could this be the moment where the replacement player becomes the game’s MVP? Don’t bet against it.
