Welcome to FTW Explains, our series where we try to quickly get you caught up on things going on in the world. Today, we’ll be tackling the Trae Young – Grayson Allen beef.
Who are these people now?
Trae Young is a star guard for the Atlanta Hawks, and one of the best up-and-coming young players in the NBA. Grayson Allen is on the Grizzlies, and is primarily known for his time at Duke, when he became one of the most hated players in a long line of guys who were hated at Duke.
Why’d people hate him?
He flopped a lot, and had one of those faces … but also he was often accused of being a dirty player, specifically because he had a habit of tripping players, which is relevant here.
Why is tripping players so bad?
In this NBA, you’ve got very large men running at incredible speeds at one another on a hard court. It speaks to their body awareness and agility that people aren’t hurt all the time. If someone is intentionally tripping players, that puts the player being tripped at risk, and anyone else in his path. It’s bad news.
Got it. So what’s this beef?
On Sunday, Young shared video of Allen appearing to intentionally step on his heel during the Hawks game against the Grizzlies. It happens quickly, but Allen does appear to reach his foot out to catch Young’s heel.
…This is incredibly dangerous, I should point out, even more so than your garden variety trip, because an Achilles injury has ruined careers before. Allen misses and catches up high on the heel, and bad, bad things can happen.
Damn… tell me what y’all see!! Smh🤦🏽♂️ this gotta stop.! #ifyoudontknownowyouknow pic.twitter.com/AgrPR1qRze
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) December 27, 2020
Was it intentional?
No idea. The only person who knows that is Grayson Allen.
Did he respond?
You bet he did!
Damn that must’ve really really hurt. I’m sorry. I hope you’re okay https://t.co/Uwyl7s2Q2v
— Grayson Allen (@GraysonJAllen) December 27, 2020
Wow.
Yep. And there’s history here, too.
Oh is there?
You better believe it. It started back in Summer League 2018, when they first got into it.
Grayson Allen got into a scuffle with Trae Young in Summer League. pic.twitter.com/VWuoLisnRN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2018
Then picked up earlier this month:
Trae Young trying to scrap with Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen loves causing problems in basketball
pic.twitter.com/s5afUyg1y2— Hoops Alley (@thehoopsalley) December 20, 2020
I am feeling caught up on this situation.
Well good. I am glad.
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