Teague’s time may have finally come
Go ahead. Say “I told you so.” Two games is a small sample, but second year man Jeff Teague may finally have seen his ship come in. With the trade of Mike Bibby to the Washington Wizards, along with the arrival of veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich, many of us wondered if Jeff Teague’s “role” with the Hawks was going to change or not. So far, it has, and in semi-dramatic fashion.
Here Comes “The Pest”
It was kind of hard sometimes, watching Jeff Teague play in spurts in the early season. He would come onto the court and show that he had another gear beyond everyone else in some games. In others, he played like he knew he would be yanked within two minutes. Where was the consistency? At the same time, the same could be asked of Head Coach Larry Drew, who would compliment Teague after a good game, then inexplicably assign him a DNP or play him in spare, all but useless minutes. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before….
It seemed that Larry Drew had embraced the idea of going with shooting and offense first, rather than speed and harassing defense. Speaking of which, last night’s game against a talented Golden State backcourt was a pretty good testament to how bothersome Teague can be to opposing point guards. It’s not like hasn’t shown flashes of this ability before, but the starting role and extended minutes (he played over 25 this time) were a confirmation of sorts. In case you think this is just a case of home cooking with local media, you need to check out some particular notes on the game from a more national perspective. On a side note, I would encourage everybody to take note of some interesting comments from Al Horford within that same article.
The Chicken vs The Egg…and Promises, Promises
Before we get too excited about the early success of Jeff Teague’s new (and possibly temporary) role, we have to recall that it has only been two games, one of which was a loss (though that loss can’t be blamed on Teague, per se). Can we expect a consistent performance out of him from the defensive end, and to continue to push the pace on offense? Will he defer if he’s in the game with Jamal, or is that simply a lineup issue that is solely Larry Drew’s responsibility? Is the future rotation at point guard forming itself before our very eyes, or is this just another flash in the pan?
Obviously, this calls Larry Drew’s past decisions into question. One quote from the above link may be condemning in some ways, depending on interpretation:
QUOTABLE II: “I’m not concerned about whether he makes or misses shots. . . . The biggest threat [from] him is when he utilizes his speed and his quickness, and when he harasses people defensively. That’s two straight games where I’ve thought he’s done a really good job with his energy.”
– Larry Drew on Teague.
Okay, that’s also two straight games where Teague has had the opportunity to prove that he can do these things that Drew claims he wants, during times in the game when it will actually matter. Did Drew have reason to believe Teague could not do this before? Was the playing time he gave Teague adequate to prove the argument in either direction? Some feel that Larry Drew would have never given Jeff Teague this chance if the trade had not occurred. Drew says he doesn’t care about Teague hitting shots. Something doesn’t seem right here, but is that even important now?
Here is the last and most obvious set of questions – will Larry Drew continue to give Jeff Teague significant minutes during games (as in 20 mpg or more)? Will he revert to using Jamal in tandem with Kirk Hinrich if Teague has rough games?
That remains to be seen, but for now, it seems like Teague’s time may have finally come.
Big Ray, Hawks Fan Nest
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570 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
February 27th, 2011
8:11 pm
Did Josh Smith play better after his alledged All-Star snub? Sure, he even said that he was trying to “punish the Eastern Conference coaches”. So does that mean that players sometimes perform better when properly motivated? Teague has played well enough that last two games after he saw that change could in fact happen when it looks like progress isn’t being made. So just like someone could ask Josh why he didn’t play with the sense of urgency he has recently displayed before the ASG, my guess is LD could be asking Teague the same question. Y’all act like you’ve never personally needed a light placed under your butt to get in gear in school or on a job (or in a relationship for that matter). You likely always had the ability to do better but you allowed complacency to set in. Josh was lit by the ASG snub, maybe Teague was lit when his best bud and Bibby got dumped to an awful team.
I don’t think Al was dissing Bibby as he knows that Bibby doesn’t have the physical tools to play full court defense against someone like Curry. Just like he says (often) that he doesn’t have the physical tools to play center. Heck, if Al was dissing Bibby then I guess Al’s dad was dissing his son. I don’t think either was the case, some guys have different physical attributes and Al is a prime example.
Ken Strickland
February 27th, 2011
8:48 pm
BIG RAY-I read that article, and as you already know, I’ve been championing that aspect of Teagues gm all along. It’s totally rediculous to expect Teague, or any other defender, to completely stop a decent PG. However, it’s not rediculous to expect your PG to make him work hard, use extra time, and disrupt the OFF while trying to beat you off the dribble.
At least that gives our frontline players a chance to read the action and position themselves in order to provide better help DEF. We’ve seen teams use this DEF approach regularly against JJ over the last 2-3yrs. My position has always been, we could have consistently gotten the same production we’ve gotten from Teague the last 2gms a lot sooner if not for Drew’s STUBBORN STUPIDITY.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
9:30 pm
LD going with the same lineup tonight. Teague, JJ, Marvin, Josh and Al.
Maybe going up against Brandon Roy will get JJ going. LD will have to keep an eye on Teague, because Andre Miller can post him up.
Will Teague have another solid game? Will Marvin get going? Will ZaZa get any PT? Lots to keep an eye on.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
Does anyone have ESPN Insider? There is an article from Chris Palmer where he compares Lamarcus Aldridge and Al Horford.
“They may never be one-name superstars, but LaMarcus Aldridge and Al Horford are among a small handful of the best power forwards in the league. While Horford plugs perfectly into Atlanta’s scheme as a do-it-all complement to Joe Johnson, Aldridge has exceeded expectations after being thrust into the role as the Blazers’ go-to star.”.
Can somebody post the rest?
Will
February 27th, 2011
9:49 pm
The hawks needs a face, you turn your tv on to watch the falcons you see Authur Blanks, Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones, Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban, and etc. They all love to be interviewed by the national media. The hawks are 35-23 in the eastern conf. New York Knicks at 29-27 gets more pub than the hawks and this has been going on even before the trade. Mark Cuban would not allow this to happen. What the ASG simple do not understand, is that you have to continue to sell your team to the national media, especially when they have a winning record. Can’t believe the nba gave these guys a franchise.
Ken Strickland
February 27th, 2011
9:50 pm
OBRIEN-I’m excited about seeing if we’ll play the same solid DEF we played against the Warriors. Also, while Andre Miller can post Teague up, do you think he can contain Teague’s speed and quickness on the other end?
ICECOLD
February 27th, 2011
9:59 pm
Trade Teague for Kobe and a first round pick………;lol
N.D.T.K.A.
February 27th, 2011
10:38 pm
Correct Najeh, got tired of spelling out “Not Drinking the Kool-Aid” – a name taken as a loyal Hawks fan dealing with the mess that is the ASG group.
Can’t wait to see the game tonight, hope Teague puts up good numbers and gets plenty of minutes!
Melvin
February 27th, 2011
10:43 pm
I didnt realize the Hawks had 2 TPE. Oh well, it doesn’t matter they wasn’t going to use any of them anyway..
Atlanta Hawks
Current Commitments: $69.6 million
Remaining Cap Space: $0
Luxury Tax Status: No
Mid-Level Exception: Full amount available
Bi-Annual Exception: Full amount available
Traded Player Exception: 2 ($3.6 million – Josh Childress; $1.0 million – Jordan Crawford)
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18916
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
Astro Joe ,
The fact that I said I was picking on Ken Strickland might have been a clue that my assertion that Horford was dissing Bibby was….um…a farce.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:51 pm
Teague has to do better than that on the break. He threw that ball up against the glass like he knew he might get blocked.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:53 pm
Uh-oh. Horford has 2 fouls. Who comes in off the bench?
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
10:54 pm
Big Ray,
That is Teague’s biggest weakness. His confidence on the offensive end.
Meanwhile, 2 fouls on Al
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:55 pm
Nice pass from Zaza.
I can tell I’m probably the only one who doesn’t have to work tomorrow.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:56 pm
OB ,
I see we’re on the same wavelength.
Nice steal by Teague.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
10:57 pm
Good steal by Teague. And even ZaZa with a rebound.
We will need him because Al has 2 fouls. Meanwhile, Aldridge is balling…
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:58 pm
Smith with a nice move on one end, but Aldridge is punking him on the other end.
Interesting. Smith ignored Teague earlier, passed to Joe, who was covered up, Joe misses a hotly contested jumper.
It seems that perhaps the players are as STUBBORNLY STUPID as their coach. They don’t have much confidence in Teague on the perimeter either.
Joe with a turnover.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
Why doesnt JJ foul him? Its not like Jj gets in foul trouble, but he gives up an easy 2…
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
10:59 pm
Man, I hate to face Gerald Wallace. He’s kryptonite for this team.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
I’d love to say Miller is shredding us with his passes, but he isn’t. His guys keep getting open.
Meanwhile, Zaza looks like he really wants his minutes. Dude is playing well.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
Is this one of those nights when Josh takes a lot of jumpers?
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
JJ’s defense so far tonight has been uncharacteristically terrible. He’s been caught asleep at least three times so far.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:01 pm
You know, LD said he played Powell over Pachulia last game to “see how Powell would react.”
Something tells me LD really did it to see how Pachulia would react. Because I do believe we’re seeing a reaction from Pachulia.
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:03 pm
The third start was a garbagetime game for both teams, Najeh. It was a scrimmage. Entitled to zero weight.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
“Something tells me LD really did it to see how Pachulia would react. Because I do believe we’re seeing a reaction from Pachulia.”
Co-sign. He hasn’t looked this good all year.
2 FOR JOHN DREW
February 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
Big Ray,
That’s why I got my power nap in between the Lakers-Thunder game & the Knicks-Heat game
GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:04 pm
Josh SMith, 0-3 outside the paint already…
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:05 pm
Oh geez, Josh. WTF was that? Been taking passing lessons from Brett Favre?
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
2 FOR JOHN DREW ,
I hear ya!
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:07 pm
Wow. Just wow. Pachulia is straight ballin’ ….
Nice 3 ball from Hinrich. Great pass/awareness from Pachulia.
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
Najeh,
There really is no sense engaging people who are making arguments based solely on looking up old game logs. None. So after this, I’m done with discussing this with you.
In how many games has he even played “meaningful” minutes? When has he even played in the second half of a close game for this team?
Minutes in the first half are meaningful. Rookies who play as crappily as Teague has in first half minutes sure as hell don’t get second half minutes in a close game.
Teague has been, but if he can play quality minutes all of a sudden over the last two games, chances are he could have done the same earlier if he had been given a defined role as the backup point guard before, rather than having his minutes arbitrarily jerked around. Like I said earlier, he didn’t wake up Wednesday and pop a pill that magically made him not suck.
That there is what is called assuming your conclusion. You’re assuming the difference was the minutes rather than a new sense of urgency brought on by the trade. That makes little sense because he’s had the minutes before. This was just the first time he didn’t suck in them.
Melvin
February 27th, 2011
11:09 pm
When all is healthy, Portland roster looks scary good….
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Najeh,
Sorry, it’s really funny to see you co-sign the quote at 11:04 after what you’ve been saying about Teague.
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
I might seem overly effusive, but I’m just blown away by Zaza. Like Najeh said, he hasn’t looked this good all year. Well, there was one game back somewhere in the first 5 or 6 games, but that was against a weaker team. He’s doing the job big time tonight.
Smart move by LD to bench him. OH wait, I forget how stupid LD is. No way could he have had an idea like that.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:11 pm
ZaZa with 7 rebounds in 8 minutes?
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:14 pm
Kirk, Kirk, Kirk, Kirk, Kirk.
Come on now, you remember Jamal. Yeah, the guy you pass it to, who doesn’t pass it back? I’ll bet you remember now , huh? LOL
Melvin
February 27th, 2011
11:15 pm
ZaZa playing like he doesnt want to relocate his restaurant…
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
Can’t blame Zaza for that. Jamal threw the pass at his freakin’ feet.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
So Jamal is playing PG while Kirk plays SG?
Whats up with all these turnovers?
Melvin
February 27th, 2011
11:18 pm
Jamal is passing the ball all over the place…
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:19 pm
Zaza playing with a renewed sense of urgency. Seems to be a running theme with our often (and rightfully) maligned bench.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:20 pm
Josh Powell 2 turnovers in 1 minute?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 27th, 2011
11:22 pm
“Sorry, it’s really funny to see you co-sign the quote at 11:04 after what you’ve been saying about Teague.”
Zaza has been getting meaningful minutes all year, regardless of whether or not he has deserved them. Teague has not.
The Department of Unintended Irony
February 27th, 2011
11:23 pm
niremetal
February 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Najeh,
Sorry, it’s really funny to see you co-sign the quote at 11:04 after what you’ve been saying about Teague.
Translation – “I know I just said there’s no sense in me talking to you, but I was just kidding about that.”
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:24 pm
Horford’s 18 footer is just a thing of beauty.
Nire ,
The bench as a whole has responded so far tonight. It’s definitely good to see this.
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Neither Hinrich or Teague is in the game?
Big Ray
February 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Dang, a high-low with Horford and Powell.
Glad to see Marvin taking it to the basket. Keep the pressure on these guys, Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 27th, 2011
11:28 pm
“Minutes in the first half are meaningful. Rookies who play as crappily as Teague has in first half minutes sure as hell don’t get second half minutes in a close game.”
This seems to be your refrain on this topic. When all else fails, say Teague has played like crap (which is not true) and use that as your justification for the rest of your argument. God forbid someone uses the stat line to even partially support one’s argument; what you remember seeing in a game that happened 10 months ago trumps anything that the stat line might say.
LOL @ Dept. of Unintended Irony
O'Brien
February 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
Hawks with 9 turnovers.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
“I might seem overly effusive, but I’m just blown away by Zaza.”
You are not overly effusive, at least not to me, and I’ve been one of Zaza’s biggest critics. The dude has been out of control in this game.