When I’ve spoken about Trae Young this season, it’s been in a derogatory tone. I first lambasted him for calling game and then losing to the Miami Heat, and also for him becoming an All-Star starter when I felt that Jimmy Butler was more deserving of the role.

It seems fitting, then, that I talk about him again after he set a new career high of 50 points in a 129-124 victory against the Heat. He pulled it off while shooting 12 of 25 from the field (8 of 15 from deep) and 18 of 19 from the free throw line.

The first thing I’ve got to say is damn… this kid can really ball.

Granted, his Atlanta Hawks are still mired in the bottom of the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers, but there’s no doubting that Young comes to play every night, even in losing efforts.

He’s averaging 29.7 points in 35.2 minutes, and he’s shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc. He also puts up 9.2 assists a game and grabs 4.4 rebounds.

In his last ten games, he’s produced to 32.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 10.9 assists.

It’s hard to blame the Hawks’ struggles solely on the electric sophomore point guard, because he doesn’t exactly have a stellar supporting cast. John Collins is behind him in scoring with 20.6 points per game, but he’s also missed a ton of games. Plus, there are questions about how he will fit with Clint Capela once he finally makes his debut for the Hawks.

The third top scorer for the Hawks this season was Jabari Parker, and he’s been traded to the Kings.

But let’s not focus on the Hawks’ roster and go straight back to their undisputed leader. At this point, I simply have to apologize to Raeford Trae Young. I talked a lot of shit about him, but he’s a hell of a player. He’s also certainly got ‘perennial All-Star’ written all over him.