“I’m very grateful to have crossed paths with Tree Young”

Hope for Hawks and from Zachary Risacher before the season they were high. Arrivals at Nickeil Alexander-Walker and from Kristaps Porzingisoutbreak Jalen Johnson and presence Trae Young should launch the Hawks into the race for the Top 6 in the East. And after a good end to the season and selection to the second All-Rookie team, the Frenchman had to confirm and continue his progress.

But, whether on a collective or individual level, the first part of the season was eventful. Injuries did not spare the Hawks and Zachary Rizaher struggled to find his rhythm. The Frenchman is stagnating, and so are the Hawks, but the transfer of Trae Young needs to breathe new energy into the Atlanta locker room.

Zachary, you missed the second game in a row with a knee injury. how are you

It’s getting better, I’m doing a lot of treatment and I’m trying to get back as soon as possible.

Your injury is called inflammation of the left knee, what exactly does that mean?

It’s a bruised knee. It’s an inflammation between the tendon and the bone, it seems to me. Nothing serious, I just took a hit and the goal is to get the inflammation down as soon as possible so I can come back quickly.

“From the moment it appeared on the networks, we expected it”

Do you think you can play Tuesday against the Lakers?

I hope that is clearly the goal. I will see with the medical staff how quickly a return can be considered.

The big news for you is the transfer of Tree Young. There were many rumors about him. Did you expect it to happen so soon?

From the moment it hit the net, we expected it. But no, it remains special, something that always surprises. Even last year, I remember, before the trade deadline, there was a lot of agitation and a lot of rumors. The truth is that it is quite disturbing. But the goal is just to move on. And to stay focused because the season never ends. That’s why we try to do our best to integrate new guys and build a team.

Is it even harder to do that when it’s someone like Trey, a franchise player? He welcomed you with open arms when you arrived. What will you keep from working with him?

Honestly, only positives. I am very grateful to have crossed paths with him. As you said, he welcomed me with open arms. I loved being around him as a person. But also, obviously, on the field. I loved getting his passes. I just loved playing with him. Obviously, his primary quality is the ability to make the team and others play well, and to make the people around him better. It was a real pleasure to be able to play with him. And off the field, he was my guy. It was a good experience from start to finish.

You get CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert back. CJ McCollum had a good first game tonight. What can it get you over time?

Lots of things. He is quite a complete player. With a lot of experience in the league as well, so it will be super interesting to be able to develop with him. I think he has the right qualities to bring to this team, we already saw that tonight when he arrived 24 hours ago. I can’t wait to go back and play with him.

From a personal point of view, what assessment do you take from your first part of the season?

For now, I would say that we are currently finding our rhythm. I want to give my all and do my best to continue this dynamic. All in all, I’m very excited for this second part of the season to come together. I can’t wait to see what turns out. With all this transfer talk, it adds other elements that we will have to adapt to and then evolve to build our collective. It will be great.

You have almost exactly the same stats as last year. Many people expected you to reach a new level in the second season. Quin Snyder told us he likes to see you with an aggressive mentality in everything you do. Why do you think you haven’t managed to pass this level yet?

I think he is right. I know I’m expected to be aggressive, whether it’s on defense or especially on rebounds. I try to fulfill the coach’s expectations. I think what he told you makes perfect sense. As I often say, when I need to do this or that, as long as it helps the team evolve and helps us progress, I’m ready to do it 100% if that’s what needs to be done to win more matches. It is important for me to listen to what is expected of me and try to do it as much as possible, as well as possible.

“The spaces are not the same. What I was asked was also a little different compared to last year”

You got Kristaps Porzingis and Nikhil Alexander Walker back this summer, Trae Young was often unavailable, Jaylen Johnson confirmed his explosiveness, it’s a big change from last year. Was it more difficult to find your rhythm, orient yourself in a different system than last year?

It is possible, yes. There was an adaptation time that was maybe a little longer than I expected. It is not necessarily negative, on the contrary. It’s part of the game. But the truth is that with the arrival of new players, Trey who is injured… We have to adapt to the circumstances. The spaces are not the same. What I was asked was also a little different than last year. All this means we have to adapt and give the best we can.

Collectively, you started the season long before you took the plunge. Is it beneficial for you to make this transfer now to give yourself more time to find your stride with the newcomers?

I think you can see it that way. We can turn it to our advantage, in quotation marks. As I said, trades are always special. Players leave, new players come. We are professionals. The players that are coming, they are professionals too. In 24 hours spent with them it shows that they know what they are doing. They are dedicated to the team. Nice to see. As players who have been there since the start of the season, it is also up to us to integrate them. To make sure everything goes well. But honestly, even though we saw that tonight, we have a super enthusiastic group of guys. Overall great players. I think it will go well.

Is it easier to include such players when you’re on the road together than if they’re all at home?

It is possible, it is possible. I don’t have enough experience to say that yet. But the truth is that the fact that we travel, with trainings, hotels, we are together more often, so that is certainly good. Afterwards, I think it will also be cool for them to come back to Atlanta, see our facilities…

Comments collected in San Francisco.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.