Trae Young Opens Up About Leaving Atlanta, Growing Up with MPJ & Being the BEST AAU duo of All Time

Michael Porter Jr. sits down with a longtime friend for a conversation that goes all the way back to their early basketball days and into life at the highest level of the game. They revisit growing up around elite talent, knowing when the NBA was possible, the mentality behind being a pass-first point guard, and what separates great players as the competition gets tougher. The conversation also gets into the upcoming NBA season, changing teams and environments, developing as a shooter, why some players struggle to improve their shot, playing alongside elite talent, and how the NBA’s CBA impacts roster construction. Later, things get a little more controversial: Who talks the craziest in the NBA? What makes someone a “villain” around the league? How do elite players use defenders’ aggression against them? And just how much of NBA basketball is a mental chess match? Plus, Mike and his guest reflect on their friendship, moving differently off the court, staying grounded, and the shared motivation to keep proving people wrong. Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open 01:05 Growing Up Playing Basketball Together 07:57 Developing a Winning Mentality 14:38 Wild Stories From Their Basketball Days 18:47 Becoming an Elite Point Guard 21:54 Did He Always Know He'd Go Pro? 23:22 Scoring vs. Passing 26:55 Breaking Down the NBA Season 32:58 Entering a New Chapter 38:21 What Makes an Elite NBA Guard? 45:13 Why Some NBA Players Struggle to Shoot 51:31 Getting Drafted & Navigating the NBA 58:52 Dream NBA Teammates 1:01:46 Building the Perfect Lineup 1:05:58 NBA Trash Talk, Beef & Villains 1:16:16 Friendship, Life Off Court & Proving People Wrong Subscribe to Curious Mike for more conversations with athletes, entertainers, creators and people Michael Porter Jr. is genuinely curious about. #CuriousMike #NBA #MichaelPorterJr #Basketball #NBAPlayers