Another day, another Superman review. There is undeniably a review war on the reboot of the Man of Steel, a superhero who has significant positioning within the NBA’s comic book narrative. Whether it’s Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard’s Superman debate or who’s the Batman-Robin duo of a team, NBA players are passionate about the DC Universe. So when Trae Young took some time for a trip to the movies amid bold offseason shuffling, there were some feelings to be aired.

He’s among us who added to the $400 million box office opener for the 2025 revival of Superman. He fell for the most obvious trap in James Gunn’s version and was left with a bitter taste he took to X.com.

“These Superman movies starting to make him look weak or it’s just me??? That’s my favorite superhero btw I’m asking cause I’m really upset😢😠” he wrote on X.com.

Perhaps he missed the part where Superman’s obvious ‘weakness’ was intentional. But clearly he has some strong opinions on the matter.

Because when a fan responded, “Batman better , yes it’s just you,” Young immediately clapped back, “You trippin… can’t believe they even made that a movie😏”.

The Man of Steel being less steel-like is the main talking point of the restarted DC Universe. As the filmmaker, James Gunn said, “There are some writers in the comics, like Grant Morrison, who took the idea of the all-powerful Superman and told great stories with it… But, for me, yes. As a child, the reason I liked Batman better than Superman was because Superman was just too strong at times. We’re building a whole universe of characters. I didn’t want to have one guy who was so much stronger than anybody else that a guy with a bow and arrow didn’t matter.”

If Young heard that Gunn liked Batman more, he’d say he’s tripping too. Gunn said this a month before Trae Young would watch David Corenswet’s Superman and fire shots at his creation. And firing back is a Young family sport.

Hawks Nation backs their Superman

Trae Young’s offseason was as rollercoaster as Clark Kent’s battles. After the Atlanta Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, signed Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, and drafted Asa Newell, Young’s got a new team going into the 2025-26 season. Now all eyes are on a potential contract extension for Trae.

However, former Knicks legend, Iman Shumpert had doubts about Young adding value to this roster. “Trae Young, statistically, what he brings to a game of basketball, I get it. At 6’3, it’s tough to say can he switch onto a 5 at the end of the game, can he guard a bigger guard…can he make a 2-guard a scoring champion?”

That not only upset a good chunk of Atlanta fans, but also Trae Young’s dad, Rayford Young. He hit out at Shumpert and ESPN in a heated tweet himself.

“‘What else besides scoring?’ These new retired @NBA dudes y’all putting on @espn gotta start doing their homework…if Trae retired today he’s 3rd all time in assists average! Just led the league last year. What pg switching to a 5 these days?” Ray said.

Trae is undeniably a productive asset in any roster. And Ray is right that his 26-year-old son has led the league in assists on multiple occasions while touted as one of the most talented pure passers in the NBA. While his defensive skills leave a little to be desired for, the Hawks are putting him in a position to have scorers with a rim protector like Porzingis.

The Hawks obviously don’t agree with Shumpert. They have a Superman and he wears #11.