14 June 2023 , 16:54
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While the Denver Nuggets lifted the first NBA title in franchise history on Monday night, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young made a bold claim.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets have proved beyond all doubt in recent weeks that they were the best team in basketball in 2022/23, and two-time All-Star Young believes the Hawks are the heir apparent.
"We next!" he tweeted defiantly, with ring and trophy emojis to boot, emphasising his confidence that Atlanta will be competing for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy this time next year.
But it is safe to say not everyone agrees that the Hawks, who went 41-41 in 2022/23 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
While the Hawks have been a playoff team more often than not in the past 15 years, there is not exactly a culture of winning over the history of the organisation. The only title in team history came in 1958 when the franchise was based in St Louis and the Hawks have never made the NBA finals in their 55 years in Atlanta.
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So although they have nice pieces with former number-five overall pick Young, – who ran the point to great effect in the regular season averaging 26 points and 10 assists per game – leading the way, few people outside the state of Georgia are buying Atlanta's chances of being a serious contender for all the marbles next season.
Ultimately, the 24-year-old's ambition is admirable, and there is no question that as, an individual, he is capable of being a difference-maker in the biggest games, but fans were quick to react to his bold declaration on Monday night.
A flood of memes followed poking fun at Young's optimism and more than 1,000 Twitter users bookmarked the post, seemingly keeping a receipt for future use.
The Hawks opened up 16th in the betting on Wednesday ahead of the new season as a +6000 outsider to lift the NBA Championship in June 2024, with the Nuggets favourites to retain their title.
Their Serbian superstar Jokic was in sensational form throughout the postseason as they won the NBA title for the first time. After sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, they eased past the Miami Heat in five games to lift the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
Denver will host its trophy parade in the Mile High City on Thursday and their rivals across the country will be watching on enviously, hoping their turn comes next year.
In the case of the Hawks, it is clear they are going to have to prove their credentials as a contender before the basketball fans of social media take them seriously.