Taurean Prince's Purpose...

[JayBirdHawk]

 

I appreciate guys who are comfortable in their own skin....

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People behave differently depending on their personalities. Athletes are no different. Some are fond of the publicity, whether they admit it or not, while others can do without it. Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince prefers nothing short of the latter. A low-profile lifestyle is everything Prince is and how he likes to be perceived. His preference makes it easier to overlook his success and progress—but that won't change who he is.  

“It’s just about being locked in,” Prince told HawksHoop. “Knowing what your end goal is and what you really want. Perception is everything. So, if I sit here and I’m in the clubs every night or even twice a week, and everybody in the A is looking at what I’m doing, they will feel some type of way. ‘Damn, he playing for our city but he in the club every night.’ I don’t want that perception from the city or from anybody.”

The 24-year old family man wants nothing more than to grow as a player and provide for his loved ones. If you slide through his Instagram stories, it's mostly videos and pictures of two things—basketball and his daughter. Nothing unusual, but very real and true to who Taurean is to a tee. Last season, he improved in every single major statistical category. He increased his points per game by 9 points and increased his free throw and 3-point percentage by 6 percent each.

Fruits of his labor—but that's just one step, and there's much more to accomplish. So, when the Hawks season came to an end, he felt it was necessary to seek out one of the best trainers to take his game to another level—Drew Hanlen.

Hanlen’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years, with plenty of video footage showing his workout sessions with A-list clients like Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Bradley Beal. Prince wanted to submerge himself in that environment because of what it could turn him into.

"I sent him a text message saying I feel like he is somebody that can get me to that next level,” Prince told HawksHoop. “I asked him was he willing to help me perfect my craft. He said yes, and we went from there.

“He really teaches you the game from a different perspective. The way you never thought of it before as far as ball handling. Getting the person guarding you off balance. Being able to read and react faster. But mostly just doing a lot of the little stuff that makes a huge difference.”

Fine tuning the fundamental parts of your skillset is a primary key to becoming the player you aspire to be instead of remaining the player you are. Last season, Prince showed us his ability to score off the dribble, both in pick n’ roll scenarios and without the ball—glimpses that were there in his rookie year, but nothing compared to his production during his sophomore campaign. He took advantage of a more prominent role last season. But, when you’re losing 2-3 times a week, nobody cares, and nobody knows.

The improvements were there if you paid attention. If you opted not to, it doesn’t concern Prince in the slightest. He sets the opinions of his teammates and competitors above anyone—and not an ounce of that will change going into next season. As far as personal goals, the theme for his third go-around is all about respect, with a bullet point of “money to be made” as a reminder underneath that.

“This year is more about putting my peers on notice than anything,” Prince told HawksHoop. “I’m not too worried about the GMs and all of those things. It’s about earning the respect of the people around me. The ones I interact more with than front office people. I see players more than I see the GMs and the coaches. Earning the respect of my peers is something I really expect to do this season. On top of that, this could be a life-changing season, because this could turn into me being an 80-100-million-dollar guy. Who knows what the future holds. I plan to do well. I am working pretty hard.”

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Discreet in his pursuit and invisible to the masses—that is the intersection Prince has found himself in most of his life. Many hoopers wouldn’t subscribe to that lifestyle.

When Prince shrugs off concerns about possibly being forgotten, as a new Hawks era begins, despite making strides in his game last season, you honestly believe it doesn’t bother him. He’s not trying to put on a facade or play up to some perception. The perception is who he is, but also a result of what he’s had to accept and experience.

“You talking to somebody who was top 10-15 in his state but was headed to Long Island University,” Prince told HawksHoop. “Other guys were going to Kentucky, like the Harrison twins. Marcus Smart and Phil Forte going to Oklahoma State. I’ve done the work and not gotten the credit for it. Last year, I felt like I was the most improved player. I increased my totals in every category. But it’s okay. If I really spend my time worrying about what they say then I’ll be dead from mental illness.”

Well, right now they’re saying Trae Young is the face of the franchise, no question. Occasionally, that can rub young returning players like Prince the wrong way. Occasionally being the operative word there—Prince takes no issues with the hype Young has brought to the A.

“In the end, all the eyes that are on him [Trae] are on me, too, so I ain't tripping,” Prince told HawksHoop. “I’m low maintenance and don’t need anyone's approval.”

Trading Dennis Schröder and drafting Trae Young, Omari Spellman, and Kevin Huerter has officially jump-started a new chapter for Atlanta basketball. Excitement is building and next year’s draft—consisting of guys like RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cam Reddish—only adds to the optimism. However, in the meantime, there is importance in enduring the struggles and staying dedicated to the grind along the way. The team is likely headed for another season of growing pains.

“I’ve been through hard times in life, and I know the best feeling is when I came out of that,” Prince told HawksHoop. “Without the dark, there is no light. Those who are the strong ones are the ones who survive. They are the ones that will be holding up Eastern Conference championships and NBA championships. It may be down the road, but I know success is coming our way. Just like every team. Every team has their runs. Every team has their moment where they go through hard times, it just so happens to be ours. That doesn’t mean we need to crumble under the pressure that's added; we just need to work harder to get back to where the Atlanta Hawks and the City of Atlanta knows it can be.”

A young player’s third year is pivotal, and for Prince it’s no exception. He tracked down Drew Hanlen for a reason, tightening his fundamentals and retooling his skillset for what looks to be a important season for the future trajectory of his career. However, he's going about it his way—the only way he knows. He’s not flooding your timeline with workout videos. He’s not continually tweeting about how he’s going to dominate this next season. He works, stays low-key, and is grounded in his faith.  

“I live for the people around me being happy,” Prince told HawksHoop. “All the recognition will come because I know it for a fact. Everything I say I speak into existence. The people around will tell you anything I say I will get or do—I get it or I do it. I know what God has in store for me and what he’s preparing me for, to be able to deal with.”

https://hawkshoop.net/feature/2018/8/14/3hnk9nz755k2xue34zro7kqksar4ap

[Spud2nique]

2 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

“I’m low maintenance and don’t need anyone's approval.”

Yes ma’am (and sirs)!!! Get it!

[capstone21]

Here is what you need to do ... put some effort on D.  That is what you need to work on.  We know u can do it.  Its why we drafted you.

[Buzzard]

I think Prince and Collins are going to kill it this season. Collins is going to be better than Al was in his second year ( 11.5 and 9 ). Prince will be the best scoring SF we have had in over a decade,

If Trae and Hueter develop we are set for years,

[macdaddy]

I like Prince's attitude and he's shown he knows how to work.  I get concerned with guys who feel like they are constantly underrated though.   As long as he uses it for motivation and not an excuse then it's all good. 

[hawkman]

“This year is more about putting my peers on notice than anything,”

I like this.

[Spud2nique]

28 minutes ago, hawkman said:

“This year is more about putting my peers on notice than anything,”

I like this.

Yes sir!

[HawkItus]

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They are the ones that will be holding up Eastern Conference championships and NBA championships. It may be down the road, but I know success is coming our way. Just like every team. Every team has their runs. Every team has their moment where they go through hard times, it just so happens to be ours. That doesn’t mean we need to crumble under the pressure that's added; we just need to work harder to get back to where the Atlanta Hawks and the City of Atlanta knows it can be.”

Definitely not a long time Atlanta sports fan. 

[JayBirdHawk]

Another TP article.

 

[Spud2nique]

27 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Another TP article.

 

Dang you might be the only one ridin his ? harder than me ?...ur all up on that! ? First Kawhi And now Prince. I figured out our prototype player is a hard working, in shape, skinny but ripped dawg of a player who plays with heart. Next guy on this list might be Terrance Ferguson.... we shall see.

 

Go ? go!!!!

[JayBirdHawk]

17 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Dang you might be the only one ridin his ? harder than me ?...ur all up on that! ? First Kawhi And now Prince. I figured out our prototype player is a hard working, in shape, skinny but ripped dawg of a player who plays with heart. Next guy on this list might be Terrance Ferguson.... we shall see.

 

Go ? go!!!!

I have high expectations for him this season. I want to see him put it all together especially defensively. He has the tools.

[Spud2nique]

56 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

I have high expectations for him this season. I want to see him put it all together especially defensively. He has the tools.

Yup yup!

[JayBirdHawk]

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it would be easy to overlook Taurean Prince. If not for a late-season breakout in the scoring department during his second season, in fact, it is possible that Prince’s national recognition would be considerably lower at the moment.

However, Prince did put together an incredibly productive run at the end of the 2017-2018 campaign and, as a result of that and his overall profile, the former Baylor standout made an appearance on an intriguing list. 

I never thought Prince would crack 30 points in an NBA game, but he did it four times in the second half of last season, including two 38-point games in mid-March. Of course, the Hawks were thoroughly tanking at that time, and it is unclear what to make of those outbursts when combined with Prince’s general inconsistency and the regression he showed on defense. Theoretically, though, there is now a clear path toward the 24-year-old turning himself into more than a 3-and-D guy. If he can clean up his handle, maintain his 38.5-percent mark from 3-point range and play the sort of defense he did as a rookie, he will earn himself a lot of money. CBS Sports

I have high hopes for him. Consistency and Defense.

 

[capstone21]

I know his offense will get better but I hope he puts some effort into defense this season.  He was got pretty complacent on that end last year

[Spud2nique]

I’ve always actually been impressed with Prince’s defense but his offense took a crazy rise in the last couple of months of the season it seemed. At least in the last 15-20 game he was going off. 

 

I was gonna get a Trae jersey but I think my first purchase is ?...just waiting on those black n volt alternate ones to come out.

[capstone21]

1 minute ago, Spud2nique said:

I’ve always actually been impressed with Prince’s defense but his offense took a crazy rise in the last couple of months of the season it seemed. At least in the last 15-20 game he was going off. 

 

I was gonna get a Trae jersey but I think my first purchase is ?...just waiting on those black n volt alternate ones to come out.

He is a or can be a good defender but last year his effort wasn't there.  

[Spud2nique]

20 minutes ago, capstone21 said:

He is a or can be a good defender but last year his effort wasn't there.  

That’s what I was going to ask you about. I felt like his defense was there. Was it statistically that it wasn’t? Because he always D’s up tight on his man. I mean I watched about all the games. I have to admit thought the last month of the season my attention went so much into tanking that I wasn’t focusing in on individual effort from the players.

[capstone21]

8 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

That’s what I was going to ask you about. I felt like his defense was there. Was it statistically that it wasn’t? Because he always D’s up tight on his man. I mean I watched about all the games. I have to admit thought the last month of the season my attention went so much into tanking that I wasn’t focusing in on individual effort from the players.

I saw something different ... as his focus turned to offense last year he seemed to take off the effort on D.  Maybe I am wrong but I thought he was a better on man defender the season before and kind of taken a step back last year.

He could be a stopper and a two way player ... he just has to put in the work/effort to make that happen

[Spud2nique]

11 minutes ago, capstone21 said:

I saw something different ... as his focus turned to offense last year he seemed to take off the effort on D.  Maybe I am wrong but I thought he was a better on man defender the season before and kind of taken a step back last year.

He could be a stopper and a two way player ... he just has to put in the work/effort to make that happen

Yes perhaps because he was a pit bull in year 1 I thought he was D’ing up last year and when he wasn’t I wasn’t too worried for tank purposes. Well I guess he’s capable for sure and if I had to choose I’d want him to be focused on D first and foremost as he’s our most capable defender imo, at least tool wise with his body and speed. Plus we have some better natural offense weapons in Collins and Trae. 

 

Its gonna be an exciting year for us, even when losing imo. We won’t lose because we get out hustled most nights. We will lose because of our limited experience but we have some guys that just look like they pick up things fast and learn from their mistakes.

[capstone21]

5 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Yes perhaps because he was a pit bull in year 1 I thought he was D’ing up last year and when he wasn’t I wasn’t too worried for tank purposes. Well I guess he’s capable for sure and if I had to choose I’d want him to be focused on D first and foremost as he’s our most capable defender imo, at least tool wise with his body and speed. Plus we have some better natural offense weapons in Collins and Trae. 

 

Its gonna be an exciting year for us, even when losing imo. We won’t lose because we get out hustled most nights. We will lose because of our limited experience but we have some guys that just look like they pick up things fast and learn from their mistakes.

RJ Barrett here we come!