Trevor Ariza is a proud veteran.
So, when Trae Young threw the ball between Ariza’s legs, Ariza flagrantly fouled Young before Young could complete the nutmeg. The two embraced after the Hawks’ win over the Trail Blazers on Saturday.
But this wasn’t exactly an apology given or lesson learned.
Ariza, via Jason Quick of The Athletic:
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic:
I asked Trae Young if he was going to stop nutmegging now because of Trevor Ariza's (old man yells at cloud) comments.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) March 2, 2020
"Nah, I ain't about to stop nutmegging. That's going to be in my game until I'm done."
Trae said he thinks Ariza was frustrated on the play before.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) March 2, 2020
"If you watch the play before, I got a floater. He said something coming down the floor, got mad, and that was part of my excitement. When I came back down, I knew what I was about to do. I threw it between his legs." https://t.co/gWbp2TXW83
Young won this round. He baited Ariza into a flagrant foul, giving Atlanta free throws and the ball.
But if Ariza makes Young – or any player – second-guess making flashy plays around him, that has benefits. Ariza also helps set a tone of toughness for Portland.
Of course, that’d carry far more weight if the Trail Blazers didn’t also lose to the lowly Hawks.