It's common knowledge that Trae Young has been the heartbeat of the Atlanta Hawks in their miraculous run in the NBA Playoffs. He's the focal point of their offense on a nightly basis and the catalyst of their success.

Big man Clint Capela, who has been in the league for many years, has been very impressed with Trae. While he applauded the Hawks superstar, he also just low-key fired a shot at former teammate James Harden.

“I’ve seen a lot of players just retreat whenever they get on this stage,” said the Hawks center, via AP. “What I see from him is so much confidence, fearless, attacking again and again. It’s really contagious on our team.”

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford are the incoming Kings rookies.
Sacramento Kings 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
NBA news: Kendrick Perkins claps back at Bill Simmons over ESPN 'bitterness'
NBA news: Kendrick Perkins claps back at Bill Simmons over ESPN ‘bitterness’Julian Ojeda ·
Siegel's Scoop with Jonathan Kuminga, Myles Turner, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Anfernee Simons
Siegel’s Scoop: Latest Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, NBA free agency intelBrett Siegel ·
Grading Cavs-Bulls Lonzo Ball trade
Grading Cavs-Bulls Lonzo Ball tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Heat won 99-90.
10 best final games by an NBA star, rankedSpencer See ·
Apr 1, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; McDonald's All American East forward Cameron Boozer (12) dribbles the ball against McDonald's All American West forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the second half of the game at Barclays Center.
3 potential superstars headline way-too-early best prospects in 2026 NBA DraftRishav Bhat ·

So, did Capela basically just say that Harden backed down on the big stage during their time with the Houston Rockets? It certainly sounds like it. In case you forgot, Capela and the Beard reached the West Finals in 2015 and 2018 with Houston. That's kind of a bold statement from the Hawks big, especially considering that Harden is arguably one of the best players to ever put on a Rockets uniform.

As for Atlanta, they head into Game 2 of the conference finals on Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 1-0 series lead. Young is coming off a ridiculous 48-point performance in Game 1 and will be looking to wreak havoc once again.

As for Capela, he probably didn't realize he put down Harden. But, that was absolutely the case.