When players are made
Hawks rookie point guard Jeff Teague is turning heads already, and training camp doesn't start for three weeks.
HAWKSVILLE - First impressions amongst your peers in the NBA can go a long way.
For Hawks rookie point guard Jeff Teague, the buzz traveled from an impressive mini-camp in late July all the way through Labor Day and until now.
And it’s not just his Hawks teammates that have noticed. His point guard peers around the league, at least the veterans that have been on the floor with him this summer (and mainly in the past week or so at the Hawks’ practice facility), have noticed. And they see plenty that they like about the former Wake Forest star.
“The one thing that sticks out to me is that he makes shots,” said former Hawks point guard Anthony Johnson, who plays in Orlando these days but still calls Atlanta home in the offseason. “That’s going to go a long way here in the system he’ll be in and really in his career. If you’re a guy that can get shots, that can make shots and create shots, you’ve got the package you’ll need to be successful. And he’s got all that.”
Teague has all that and more from what I saw on the floor in back-to-back days last week. Not only is he super quick and fearless going to the basket (he dunked on a fast break in one game, getting up and down before Josh Smith could even turn to think about sending the ball into orbit), Teague can score in a variety of ways. He has a sweet pull up jumper in traffic, a push shot in the lane and can spot up from all over the floor and knock down shots as well.
Sure, you say it’s just pick up games in early September. Yeah, training camp hasn’t even started yet. But those first impressions are what count. And not one person left that gym on either day questioning Teague’s game. The veterans, the youngsters, the NBA stars and the guys looking for their next gig in Europe, they all agreed that Teague was even more impressive than they expected.
“He’s going to make things really interesting,” said Hawks forward Marvin Williams, a Tar Heel not prone to praising a Demon Deacon. “I just love that he’s been here all this time. It’s a clear indicator of where his mind is in terms of what he has to do this season. That’s the kind of attitude you want to see in a rookie or anybody else when they are coming into a new team. Plus, I feel like basketball players are made in the summer time. That’s when people are relaxing and doing whatever. The guys that put in the work in the summer time, that’s when it really shows in the season. Because the truth is you don’t really have time to work on your individual game as much as you’d like to during the season. And everybody can tell who’s done the work and who hasn’t. Jeff Teague has done the work.”
MORRIS, TOO?
One of the favorite punching bags around here, Randolph Morris has done his fair share of work this summer as well. In fact, I’d argue that no [Hawks] player has undergone a more radical physical transformation this summer than Morris, who has shed some 60 pounds from his 6-11 frame in an effort to break into the playing rotation in his second season with the team.
“The work I did was both mental and physical,” he said after a recent workout. “I was trying to get myself where I needed to be mentally and physically for the long season. Just as important for me is working for the short term where I can try to get on the court this year. It was really a two-pronged approach for me this summer like it is every summer. It was about working to get myself in the best shape possible for the upcoming season while also realizing that the guys that last in the NBA are the ones that take the best care of their bodies. The guys that have the longest careers are the ones that you see in the gym in the dead of summer, when there are no cameras and no fans around. That’s where the real work is done.”
I’m still not sure if Morris will end up in the plans (or the playing rotation) this season, but I have to give it up to him for the full body makeover he pulled off this summer. As a guy who could stand to shed a few pounds himself, it’s inspiring to see someone start from where he did and end up where he is now.
SIMS IN THE FOLD
Courtney Sims is now comfirmed as yet another training camp invitee for the Hawks. I’m hearing the total group will number at least 18 and possibly as many as 23 or 24. That sounds a bit on the high end to me. This is a team that already has so many roster spots set, there’s little need to add a ton of extra bodies to the training camp mix.
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253 comments Add your comment
jerrywest
September 11th, 2009
8:40 am
Sekou – I agree with many here. Please compare Teague to Acie. Also with any other current player.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
8:54 am
Sekou- Great stuff, keep it coming. I am going to try and keep myself realistic about Teague, but it is getting harder and harder.
When will get a list of training camp invitees? Is Korolev going to make camp?
I appreciate the love you threw to Randolph. It is hard to lose weight when you are working a full time job, raising a family, etc.. Oh wait, his JOB IS TO BE IN SHAPE!!!! Please Hawks throw out the garbage.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
8:57 am
LMBO!!!!
doc
September 11th, 2009
9:02 am
also with crawford, jj and marvin healthy and smith capable of pushing the envelope there at the three in unusual circumstances, mo evans wont be higher than our 11th man is my guess if woody is doing his job.
KevinA
September 11th, 2009
9:08 am
Sekou Smith
It was great to here about Teague and his offensive skills. What are your thoughts and observations about his defensive skills. Can he fill the big hole left by Bibby and Crawford? If not, who in training camp would have a chance. Or are we left with the only option of trying to out score the Parker, Nash, CP3, etc. etc. etc. Defense wins championships.
Doug
September 11th, 2009
9:27 am
Folks are right that a huge difference b/t Teague/Acie is that Woody enthusiastically supported his drafting and THINKS that he is a player…but there is also a serious skill set differntial between the two…i.e. Teague is a much better shooter…much quicker and more explosive and has a far greater upside. Acie was a tremendous college player…great strength…good handles…decent court vision…moxie…but did not possess the ability to shootit or the explosive speed/athleticism that translated to tremendous success as a starting NBA point
A Thinking Fan
September 11th, 2009
9:36 am
Woody can’t change his ways…
newkid
September 11th, 2009
9:57 am
I’ve seen Morris’ ‘08/’09 weight listed at both 260 and 270. In either case the loss of ~60 lbs would seem to suggest he’s not likely to be of much help to any team in the post at 200 – 210. Is this business of a 60 lbs loss credible, or was he likely much heavier than 270 last season? Are there plans to give him a serious look at the 4 spot with all the beef we already appear to have at the 5 (Horford, Zaza, Collins, Siler?)? If he is in fact only carrying slightly more than 200 lbs in his trousers, can he really be expected to even hold his own at the 4?
Seems what Morris needed was more a weight transfer (i.e., from fat to muscle) than a weight loss. If what he has done is to remove the fat in preparation for adding the muscle (is that the proper approach; the Jenny Craig plan, then the Lou Ferrigno plan?), then perhaps we should all await the addition of the muscle to form our opinions of his transformation. If he does complete the remaining loop of the transformation, it’s not likely to be in Hawks blue.
I’m almost as excited about seeing Jeff Teague in Hawks blue as I am about seeing John Wall in Kentucky blue.
Mr. Phil
September 11th, 2009
9:59 am
Your comments here
All World
September 11th, 2009
10:01 am
Not a Teague hater but I still like Flip Murray. Flip does his job without drama or hesitation.
Astro Joe
September 11th, 2009
10:08 am
KevinA, the good news is you mentioned West Coast teams that we only see twice (each). And we defeated the Hornets both times last year. And guys like Joe Smith and Jason Collins will help with the elite pick & roll PGs.
Astro Joe
September 11th, 2009
10:20 am
doc, Evans may be playing the Mario West role this season… designated defender in spot situations. If Teague plays well, I suspect that he will take some time from Bibby and Marvin. Or said differently, it will allow Joe to play less PG and more SF. I’m guessing that the key to Teague’s on-court time will be how well he protects the ball (lack of turnovers) and how well he defends. I doubt that exciting dunks will factor into the decision.
The Truth
September 11th, 2009
10:27 am
I am very pleased to see that Teague is making an early impression from his peers. If we are now worried about whether Bibby’s minutes will drop or whether Teague’s talents will translate into more playing time on the court, if that is a problem for Woody, then I must admit, THAT IS A NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE. This is the kind of problem that must coaches dream about. Yes, this headline will evolve into a story less about Teague and more about Woody coaching and “properly” playing his new talents, but at the end of day, it’s also going to be a story about the individual players each buying into a commitment of winning games towards a common goal. Since our core players and coaches have been on the battle field together for awhile now, Woody shouldn’t be burden with a “team learning curve’ that sometimes happens with too much roster turnover occurs. However, as others have also indicated, there are no more excuses for Woody this year; he must do his part. Since we have been called a “playoff team, this should be a nice environment for Teague to thrive and become a star player. This journey is a two-way street between him and Woody. From early indications, Teague is showing a commitment as Marvin alluded to in putting in the summer work. If this becomes the pattern for him, then it is also on Woody to facilitate the proper development necessary for Teague to reach his full potentials. But once again, at the end of the day, Woody new contract will not be based on whether he developed Teague, but whether he win more games and get us closer to a title. One should be synonymous with the other, but based on Woody’s tenure, that’s not necessarily so. If the criteria for his new contract are to do both, then the projected quagmire may have gotten easier if Teague is in fact the REAL DEAL.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
10:35 am
Morris said in an Article with Sekou earlier this summer that he was really actually over 300lbs last season…which is fine, if thats your actual conditioned, game-shape self(Shaq) but it’s not Morris. We could all see that last season.
Sekou K. Smith
September 11th, 2009
10:51 am
Nothing new on Joe, Bosnian Baller.
Not sure what you are asking, Matt the Brave. If you mean video game systems, I don’t play. Haven’t played since college. Sorry.
Compare Teague and Acie? There games are nothing alike, so it would be fruitless to go down that road. Acie was much bigger on the hoof but not quite as explosive in terms of his quickness and ability to get off the floor and finish above the rim. There was always a split on Acie, even from the very start, in terms of whether or not he was a true point guard. The coaches debated it, the front office staffers did and so did the rest of us (media, fans, etc.). So far as I can tell, no one has those questions about Teague, which is funny because one of the knocks I heard about him before the draft was that he wasn’t really a distributor but more of a scorer. It appears that he can do both fairly well and won’t hesitate to do so if asked to. The one glaring difference I’ve noticed is how many different ways Teague can score. Acie’s biggest hurdle when he came to the Hawks was that he didn’t stroke it consistently from the floor. Teague does that now (as AJ pointed out in the blog). And that will be to his benefit in the NBA.
I will tell you another major difference between Acie’s situation and Teague’s is that no one expects Teague to come in here and save the world as a rookie because Bibby is already in place. Acie had a different sort of pressure on him here, what with the disappointment of how things went with Speedy.
Hope that helps.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
10:55 am
Sekou???? You don’t have a system!!!!! What!!! You don’t knw what you’re missing. And the Hawks are gonna be real nice on NBA 2K10…
Sekou Smith
September 11th, 2009
10:59 am
Somehow I missed out on the gamer craze. My boys were addicted but I was too busy with the ladies back then to get caught up playing video games.
Sekou Smith
September 11th, 2009
11:00 am
And that really was me commenting above (even though it’s not shaded like normal). This new set up throws a curve every now and then.
SWATlantadolfan
September 11th, 2009
11:06 am
Jeff Teague is for real….I watched a lot of ACC basketball last year, and this guy had a game that was better suited for the NBA.We got a star,trust me.He works hard and when he gains about 15 to 20 more pounds of muscle,he will be better than ALL of the point guards in this rookie class.Dont forget,the guy is like,20 years old I think?he hasnt even developed his MAN muscles yet,you know, the traditional 10 or 15 pounds a man gets when he turns 20 or 21.
Wink
September 11th, 2009
11:07 am
Player development often improves when the Coach take time to work on a player skill set as it relates to the coach’s team game plan. Teague success will be dependent upon the minutes Woody allows him to play, make mistakes, and the ability to not destroy his confidence & aggressiveness, while he instructs (coach) him in the correct way to play his system.
To date we don’t really know what his system is other than Iso Joe. He does not allow rookies to make mistakes, thus he reduces their minutes or DNP, which results in no learning and he has proven he can destroy a young player’s confidence (Salim, Solo, AC, even Morris in his limited role). Woody is the ” Undertaker ” he will kill a playa!
So it really does not matter what you do in the summer, we have heard glowing summer reports before…Woody is the KEY to PLAYER DEVELOPMENT…is it realistic that he would now trust any young player, while working on his expiring contract & resenting the fact it has not been renewed???
SWATlantadolfan
September 11th, 2009
11:13 am
Another thing about the Acie Law /Jeff Teague comparisons,the main difference in these two is their mindsets.Acie Law had no confidence in his game,which led to indecesion on the court.Jeff Teague is probobaly going to be the most confident Hawk on the court this year.The guy is a hard nosed,if you cant stop me Im gonna dog you out player.He has that IT factor,something it was ovious that Acie lacked after I watched him play a couple of times.There is no confusion in Jeff Teague’s game.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
11:38 am
Wink- so does that mean he didn’t destroy the confidence of Josh Smith, Marvin William, Al Horford, Za Za Pachulia? Also, Solo left because the Pacers thought more highly of him than the Hawks not less, they seemed to think he developed under Woody. But hey don’t let the facts get in the way of a belief.
So ultimately the answer to your last question is yes, he can.
The Truth
September 11th, 2009
11:42 am
SWATlantadolfan
I saw that too in Acie game. He seems like he had a game identity crisis. It was as though he was still discovering his game. As a college player, when you make the transition into the major league and paid millions, knowing your game should be a prerequisite. However, Teague, from early billing, doesn’t seem to have that problem. He may have what is known as an athletic arrogance. The whole discussion of Teague vs. Acie maybe just a difference in attitude, we shall see.
Astro Joe
September 11th, 2009
11:43 am
Wink, guys like you often name those players who have gone on to prove Woody right. Salim? Where is he now? Acie? He is so far buried on the Warriors bench that he may not even get time ahead of CJ Watson. Solo just volunteered to be the 5th big on a team unlikely to make the playoffs. Talk to me about rookies like Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Al Horford. Heck, Zaza was basically a rookie when he grabbed him 4 years ago. While Woody is not a teacher of basketball skills I do believe he gives players a chance to succeed. If they have the capacity to help the team, then all is good. He gave Shelden and Acie time in their respective rookie seasons and when they stunk up the joint, he sat them down. Woody treats them like grown men at a job, perform and play or don’t and sit. If those guys can’t man up and work on their craft in the off-season, then that’s on them. Morris is on his 4th year as a professional player and decides to start losing weight after collecting 4 years of NBA pay. And you want to blame Woody for not giving him time last season. This is NOT YMCA youth league ball.
The Flash
September 11th, 2009
11:43 am
Teague plays the game like Rod Stricklin, sans the flair for special passes, that Stricklin was in rare territory with, not that the kid won’t hurt you off the pass, he will. What I have loved about this guy since before day one is that he will kill you in the lane without getting to the rim in the two ways Sekou mentioned, and he knows it. If you try to stop that part of his game, big guy, you will look foolish. Very competent shooter, always has his legs under him and is never in a rush. When his shooting fails him, he becomes guardable. When it doesn’t, very potent.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
11:50 am
Hometeam- Glad to see you on the blog, miss you on the radio. Hope you get some work this season. That show (we won’t mention names) sucks without you.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
11:52 am
Astro Joe- well put.
ILL-logical
September 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
So, the new JT is on his way to becoming a “made man”? Good, because just being Woodson’s homeboy wasn’t enough. Sounds like in year 2 of his career he will become the starter. Now that is something to wait around for.
Randolph Morris Lost Weight « nbaroundtable
September 11th, 2009
12:20 pm
[...] Morris Lost Weight In General NBA on September 11, 2009 at 11:20 am Sekou Smith from AJC.com reports One of the favorite punching bags around here, Randolph Morris has done his fair share of work this [...]
jerrywest
September 11th, 2009
12:25 pm
Rod Strickland was taller and bigger and didn’t have a long range shot. Excellent defender but had an attitude problem. Super strong. One of the best players ever not to make the all star team.
Teague seems to have Kevin Johnson’s game. What do you think?
Compare JT with JT2.
jerrywest
September 11th, 2009
12:28 pm
Even when Bibby gets old & becomes a bench player, he will be very useful, because he has the shooting to be the next Kerr/Paxon/Kopono.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
12:35 pm
jerrywest- I have not seen Teague display the kind of hops that Kevin Johnson had. I consider that comparison very high praise. maybe.
jerrywest
September 11th, 2009
12:41 pm
Daniel – check youtube. reminded me of KJ.
KJ was shorter and weaker, but a real PG.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
12:50 pm
Sekou, Lol I feel you, but it’s never to late for a EAsports Tash talk fest and competitions with the homies. You should try it sometime, its fun.
HawksV
September 11th, 2009
12:51 pm
Thanks for the update Sekou…I’m hoping you can give us an update on how Joe, Bibby, Josh and Al look coming into camp as well. It will be interesting to see if they put work in during the summer.
chuckw/deadjournalist
September 11th, 2009
12:55 pm
i’m popping in as the off-season nears its end …
the potentially exciting part of the hawks, for me, is that – for the first time since they first started making noise in the ’80s – they have a roster balanced in age, talent and experience.
any good sport organization develops its own talent – but they also sprinkle in vets that can add leadership and balance. the balance – on the court and in attitude – is the next big step for this organization.
this is no longer a team full of teenagers or guys too young to rent a car; with maturity in years should come maturity in action. the best players know then when to throw their team on their back and take over a game. just as importantly, they know when they are having a bad night and find other ways to help a team win.
that’s what every player on the team must do this season. no more sulking because of a foul or non-foul call; no more forcing jumpers when you’re out of rhyme; no more loafing it on defense because you think you’ve already been beat to the hole.
with that said, this is team still has so much room for development and growth. the potential of this team is exciting because, while it is full of younger-vets, they team is still young. look at the age of the roster, if you exclude bibby and joe smith.
but potential means nothing without self-actualization and results. reading about the guys busting it in the summer is encouraging but seeing the execution day-in and day-out in the regular season will be the proof.
this team should be able to win 50-53 games this season barring significant injury. even with an improved division, anything less would be disappointing unless they do what no atlanta hawks team as done – advance to the conference finals.
did i just drink the kool-aid or what?
GeeMack
September 11th, 2009
1:03 pm
If Randolph can play like he did in high school he could be the missing ingredient for this hawks team. I like all the additions we made but a young athletic center would put us over the top. Right now I see the Hawks as a 50 win team.
Blast
September 11th, 2009
1:10 pm
Great to hear nice things about Teague coming from his peers. Wish him and Hawks nothing but the best next season. Can you imagine a backcourt of Crawford and Teague on the second unit? Say bye-bye to those days when Hawks bench could not stay in a game, and Joe was forced to come in early.
Rand Morris sucks. Knowing he is on the last year of his contract and this is the final time he has to show he belongs in the NBA, he starts losing weight. Where was that commitment in the years he’s been in the league? Hope he realizes that it’s just not about losing weight, though. It’s about hustle and desire. It’s about being able to enforce the post, grab rebounds with that big frame of his, knock down some open shots and defend. If he cannot do these things, then his big butt will only end up rusting on the pine. Joe Smith and Collins are waiting to gobble up all his minutes!
Go Hawks! Let the season begin!!!!!!!
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
SWATlantadolfan, you think Joe Smith ever gained that 15 to 20 pounds of “Man” muscle you’re talking about?
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
1:21 pm
Chuck, I’m right there with you sipping on that same kool-aid lol.
The Truth
September 11th, 2009
1:33 pm
As we discussed how impressive Teague might be, I am also intrigued with Courtney Sims as a prospect. If he is competing with Siler for another “Big” roster spot, then Siler may need some divine intervention.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
1:42 pm
Ha! That bum Terrence Moore was at Mj’s HOF press confrence…
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2009/09/11/nba_090911_hof_presser7.nba/
rich
September 11th, 2009
1:54 pm
Sekou , Is it possible to Sign Siler and then assign him to the D league for development? Then we can sign Courtney Sims for a roster spot.
doc
September 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
astro agreed. feel mo is a player to help us if we are desperate due to injuries or in spot situations. he ended the season as our starter due to injury and played well. somehow due to the way the chips fell because of what i think are good acquisitions in the off season, mo has fallen to the 11th or 12th man off the bench when all are healthy.
Hoops
September 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
Sekou,
Great article! What’s the inside word on how many players the Hawks are going to sign this year? Any small trades the Hawks are looking into?
Louisiana Connection
September 11th, 2009
3:32 pm
Ariose — let it go man, TMoore isn’t even writing for the AJC anymore and you still have issues. Move on.
Ariose
September 11th, 2009
3:57 pm
Louisville,It was a joke. I hold no ill-will towards Moore. I knew when he left as soon as it happend. If I didn’t like the guy I wouldn’t have even aknowledged the fact that he was in the video for all of five seconds.
Daniel
September 11th, 2009
4:02 pm
GeeMack- you know I respect your take, but c’mon if Randolph played like he did in high school then he would play as well as a high schooler, this is the NBA. Dude sucks, always has, always will. He got tall early in his high school career, other than that he has always been a bust. Let the wounded dog be put out of his misery, don’t get any expectations for him.
The Truth
September 11th, 2009
4:42 pm
Its official, the drama is finally over; Sessions is going to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ramon
September 11th, 2009
5:05 pm
I do wish we could turn Evans, next years 2nd rounder, and Morris into McGee, lol.