Atlanta Hawks at Nets: The Rook’ (Jeff Teague) gets his shot (updated)
Woody will watch and see if Teague can D up guys better than Frank Robinson. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
Secaucus, N.J.–Joe Johnson is out tonight. He’s not going to play tomorrow at Toronto, either, and Woody said J.J.’s status is up in the air for Friday’s game against Charlotte at Philips Arena.
The Hawks say J.J. has a strained Achilles’ tendon.
“He’s day-to-day,” Woody said.
Bibby’s back is better and he will start tonight. In a surprise move, Woody plans to go with My Blog People MVP Jeff Teague at point guard and Bibby at shooting guard instead of using Mo Evans to replace Johnson.
It’s Teague’s first start.
“We’ll give it a shot,” Woody said, adding with a smile: “I can always sub early.”
“(Teague) has played with different combinations,” Woody said. “This is no different. He will do what he does best: push the ball, defend, get people involved.”
Teague, low key as always, said he’s ready.
“I’ve been playing basketball my whole life, and I’ve usually started,” he said. “It will be the same as coming off the bench.”
Woody said he made the move because he wants Teague’s quickness against Nets guard Devin Harris. Harris might miss the game due to illness but presumably Woody would stick with Teague either way.
(Edit: Harris is out with an upper respiratory infection, but Woody said he probably would stick with Teague: “We drafted him for the future, and I’ve got to develop him if I’m here as coach (next year). I think he’s gotten a little bit better but we haven’t seen enough of him. I think I’ll still keep him in there.”)
“He’s quick, so you have to try to keep him out of the lane,” Teague said of Harris. “He can score; we all know that. I’m not going to say I’m going to lock him down or anything like that. I just want to try and contain him.”
The Hawks will be much smaller in the backcourt without J.J. (6-7). Teague and Bibby are both listed at 6-2. Harris is 6-3 and Nets shooting guard Courtney Lee (a ‘Naptown Pike High product like Teague) is 6-5. The Nets can also bring 6-7 Chris Douglas-Roberts and 6-6 rookie Terrence Williams (Go Cards) off the bench at guard.
Teague, the 19th overall pick out of Wake Forest, said he’s matured through the season.
“Most definitely,” he said. “At the beginning of the season I wasn’t comfortable. I was nervous and didn’t want to mess up. I’ve gotten more familiar with the coaches and they’ve gotten more familiar with me.”
I’m not sure if anyone around here has noticed, but Teague’s minutes have been up and down this season.
“Give the rook’ (credit),” Woody said, referring to Teague by the name he almost always uses to address him. “He played well in the exhibitions. It’s not like we forgot about him. We’ll give him a shot.”
– Does this game worry you at all? Hawks TV voice Bob Rathbun notes that strange things happen when the Hawks play here. They’ve lost their last five at the arena with its latest name as the Izod Center but that still is dark, dank and–after the circus just left town–stank.
“Interesting venue,” Teague said. “Older than I expected.”
The Nets are set to move to the Prudential Center in Newark next season. Coincidentally, Woody played for the Nets when they opened what was then called Brendan Byrne Arena in 1981. Larry Brown was the coach.
This Nets team is worst than any of those that beat the Hawks the last five times here. They are threatening to be historically bad, on pace to tie the 1972-73 76ers for worst record in league history at 9-73.
Obviously the Nets want no part of that, so maybe that helps to explain why they showed signs of life in recent road losses to Memphis, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Houston.
“They are playing harder,” Woody said. “In their last outing (at Houston) they were very competitive and I don’t expect anything different tonight.”
Clearly missing Harris would be a major blow to New Jersey’s efforts to beat the Hawks. But, as Rathbun says, strange things happen to the Hawks in Jersey.
– Talk amongst yourselves, Hawks fans.
MC
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278 comments Add your comment
Nite Owl
March 16th, 2010
10:13 pm
Not optimistic about catching Orlando, but why the hell not.
By the way, Toronto’s where Jamal gets his 50. That game’s going to be in the 130s. Like old-school Nuggets-Lakers, minus the Hall of Famers.
Big Ray
March 16th, 2010
10:30 pm
I hope not. We need to play better defense. Getting in a shootout with a half-decent team like Toronto could be recipe for disaster.
Astro Joe
March 16th, 2010
10:42 pm
Can anyone make any projection from a 1 game victory against a team that is on pace to be the worse in LEAGUE HISTORY? Does anyone want Sund to use this game to dot the i or cross the t on any decision? I certainly don’t. A good win… I don;t think anything else needs to be gleaned from this game. Not Teague’s performance, not Jamal’s performance and ot Marvin’s performance. Playing the Nets this seaosn is a freakin’ anamoly. It is a data point to be discarded. In fact, none of the stats from this game should count. Playing the Nets is akin to playing an exhibition game. Like when the Braves play the UGA baseball game. Cute, fun, but it doesn’t count.
The real NBA season resumes tomorrow.
me@!
March 16th, 2010
10:44 pm
Hoe ford had a great game.
New Jersey Nets
PPG RPG APG
18.8 9.0 2.2
Al Horford | 15 | F-C
Atlanta Hawks
PPG RPG APG
14.1 9.4 2.2
me@!
March 16th, 2010
10:45 pm
I like the defense he played on his Lopez….shut him down!
northcyde
March 16th, 2010
10:46 pm
Ray, Sautee . . . I’m just saying. It is what it is.
I simply made an observation with my halftime comment. People blame Woody for every player that hasn’t developed here, instead of blaming the REAL CULPRIT . . . the actual player.
The truth is that Teague basically had everything handed to him on a silver platter tonight. Even the guy he was supposed to slow down, Deviv Harris, didn’t play tonight.
And for whatever reason, the kid just didn’t respond well at all. The people who assert that the kid isn’t ready to lead yet, just might be right.
And honestly, this was the same thing that happened to guys like Salim, Shelden, and Acie. They all got their shot to prove themselves on a consistent basis, and they just couldn’t do it.
Woody knows his team. He always has. That’s what makes him a good coach. Not a great one, but a good one. He knows his personnel like the back of his hand.
When Shelden struggled, and Solo was outplaying him, Solo got time over Shelden.
When Salim would come into a game, and go 1 – 4 FG in 5 minutes, and Lue could come in and go 3 – 4 FG in 5 minutes, the decision of who to play was a no-brainer.
When Acie thought he was going to get playing time last year, but Flip came in and immeadiately made an impact, Flip made Acie expendible.
I hope Woody starts Teague again tomorrow night. Give the kid a chance to bounce back. If he doesn’t though . . . oh well. He had the “perfect storm” tonight, and didn’t take advantage.
Astro Joe
March 16th, 2010
10:46 pm
Let’s hope that we get to see Horford and Lopez battle for the next 8-10 years. They are BOTH incredible talents and entertaining to watch.
PMC
March 16th, 2010
10:48 pm
Boy I hope Jeff Teague gets a lot better than he looked tonight.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 16th, 2010
10:53 pm
“Yes, I understand the need for ISO’s on occasion, but why should sharing not be the staple?”
I agree with that, and I’d love to see the Hawks run an offense based on ball movement, but I’m just saying that Woody is the weak link here, not Joe. Installing an offense that makes sharing the staple is Woody’s job, not Joe’s.
“Still not sure I want to give Joe the max, though. ”
In a perfect world, only the elite, undisputed, team-carrying players — and there are maybe 10 of them in the league, if that — would get a max contract. That list probably includes LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Melo, Duncan, Nash, Howard, and Nowitzki, with Durant probably joining them by the end of the year. The next tier of stars, which includes Joe, Bosh, Roy, etc. probably deserves slightly less than the max in a perfect system. That’s the way it was intended when the salary cap was put in place. Unfortunately, for a long time that hasn’t been the case. So the reality is that the Hawks either give Joe the max or lose him.
The problem with losing him is that the chances of getting a similar caliber player to replace him in a sign-and-trade are next to zero. The long-shot Chris Paul trade that I re-post every now and then is the most likely scenario of that happening, and that is very, very unlikely to actually happen, even if it does make some sense for both sides.
And to me, the difference between Kobe and Joe is about as much as the difference between Joe and Jamal. Kobe, on a bad shooting day, still finds a way to do other things to help his team win. Joe, on bad shooting days, generally has a negative effect on the offense, but a lot of that has to do with Woody’s system — I’m confident that in a better scheme he would find a way to impact the game positively in other ways too, although not to Kobe’s extent.
Crawford, on the other hand, is almost guaranteed to be a net loss on a bad shooting night, because his shot selection even on good days is not all that great. Don’t get me wrong, I was a big fan of the Crawford trade, and I love what he’s provided for the Hawks, but he’s done it all without having to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the team offensively. He is perfectly suited to his role. If he was made the centerpiece of the offense, I’m pretty confident we would see a lot more contested bricks from him — in other words, exactly what he did on the bad teams he was on most of his career.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 16th, 2010
10:54 pm
“Joe is an All-Star and the team captain. He has to recognize when the iso-(fill-in-the-blank) isn’t working and refocus the teams efforts. As great a scorer as JJ is, a natural team leader, he ain’t.”
You make a good point, and there have been plenty of occasions this year when Joe could have involved his teammates more but chose not to and cost the Hawks possessions as a result. I still think if you look at the season as a whole, Woody is responsible for that more than Joe is, though.
Astro Joe
March 16th, 2010
10:54 pm
PMC, he will. I’d love to know his reaction to his performance tonight. I don’t want dude to be suicidal but I also don’t want to read a quote that sounds like he is taking tonight lightly. A healthy dose of disappointment AND resolve would be ideal.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 16th, 2010
10:57 pm
Oh yeah, and apparently Jamal Crawford reads this blog, so I’ll just say this: nothing personal, dude, you’ve had a great year.
Nite Owl
March 16th, 2010
10:57 pm
@Northcyde:
That’s some truth right there. I get frustrated with Woody sometimes, but a player has to earn his minutes.
You brought up some good examples. It’s not like Salim, Acie, and Shelden have set the world on fire since leaving Atlanta.
You can’t polish a, well, you know.
I think Teague will be fine, though. If he’s still struggling this time next year, then we’ve got a problem.
Astro Joe
March 16th, 2010
11:01 pm
Geez, what’s the bigger myth, iso-Joe is the team’s predominant play for 48 minutes a game or that MJ retired after 3 rings because of extensive gambking debts?
the intruder
March 16th, 2010
11:03 pm
Hoe ford aint no incredible talent. Hes the #25th center when it comes to blocking shots and is some where between 8-15 among centers for rebounds. Lopez always gets his lunch. Since horford is going to be so lazy, why dont we get a center who can and will play defense.
bugsy
March 16th, 2010
11:05 pm
did Lopez hit 21 against Horford?
Astro Joe
March 16th, 2010
11:05 pm
DING!
Nite Owl
March 16th, 2010
11:07 pm
I appreciate all the serious analysis and knowledge from you guys. Thanks and have a good night.
oldandntheway
March 16th, 2010
11:39 pm
Point guard is 75% of NBA, we are where we are because of Bibby, let Jeff Teague play and see if we can get better.
Big Ray
March 16th, 2010
11:48 pm
Northcyde ,
Count me among the choir with that sermon.
I never said or even believed that Teague was ready to take over at point guard. I’ve only wanted to see him play more than 9 mpg. Maybe as much as 16-18 mpg. I’ve quoted Woody many times where he has said that he felt no need to throw Teague to the Wolves, and that he thought Teague would take over the team in time . Nothing more, nothing less. Yeah, there have been people who wanted Teauge to start and play 35 mpg, while Bibby was crucified and burned at the stake. You’ll always have those types of reactions. I think anybody with common sense knows better. Then again…
I agree that Teague did not play well in this game. Nothing more can be said about it. What I do know is that Woody has publicly supported the kid, and so have his teammates. I’m glad to see that, and mentioned it FREQUENTLY during training camp, preseason, and regular season.
Big Ray
March 16th, 2010
11:53 pm
Astro Joe ,
I don’t think Teague loses confidence nearly as much as people want to say he does. And I don’t think Woody is destroying his confidence, either. At the same time, I think his quotes aren’t those of a person who doesn’t care, but rather a guy who gets over stuff. If Teague says he isn’t worried about something, it’s probably for the sake of getting the point across that he’s not going to dwell in misery on a bad performance.
Remember what he said after going 0 for 11 or 0 for 15 in a game much earlier this season? “You won’t see that happen again.”
I agree with you. He’ll be fine.
rusty
March 17th, 2010
12:02 am
that damm woody set teague up to fail. what the hell was he doing starting bibby. teague never got a chance to run the defense. the jerk brings in mario over teague. he could have left him in longer,what differance does it make if he has 2 fouls. woody is an ass,teague is doomed. teague can make this team play uptempo ball,jj & bibby always slows the tempo down to a crawl. this team needs to move the ball,with jj in the game all he cares about is getting a lot of points & being the man. crawford is a much better player,plays uptempo & wii make plays for his team mates while joe will run the cloak out & pass to mw or js with 2 seconds left. woody makes horrible line ups. we will never compete against the top teams with him at the helm.
rusty
March 17th, 2010
12:04 am
i meant offense not defense
vava74
March 17th, 2010
8:20 am
I actually think rusty has a point.
Having Bibby at the SG slot was – IMO – a bad decision since instead of being an aid to Teague it worked like a statement of lack of trust.
wordsmithtom
March 17th, 2010
8:59 am
Vava74,
While I appreciate your support of the Hawks and often your opinions…on this Teague thing, I have to disagree. Playing Bibby at shooting guard is a statement to “the Rook”. Your shot isn’t there. You have to be ready when your name is called. You aren’t ready.
Teague is good; just not ready. A 20 year old is rarely ready. Rondo couldnt get burn his first year in Boston. Wasn’t ready. You can’t teach speed and the ability to break down defenses. JT has shown me talent, just not that he’s ready to lead a playoff team. Fortunately, the Hawks aren’t the Hawks of 2005-06. Now is about winning….not preparing for the future. The future is NOW.
Next year JT will no longer be “the Rook”. It’s with him to work on his shooting this summer. I’m sure he’s learned more in practice than he would in another year at Wake. Comments from Bibby that he’s learned to hold him; comments from Ray Allen about riding the pines as a Rook. His teammates haven’t given up on him; his peers see a baller…..neophite notwithstanding….and in time, if he puts in the work, he’ll get his shot. Bibby is aging….so JT gets that shot here or somewhere else…IF he puts in the work on his shot. He has the ability to break down defenses; if he didn’t he wouldn’t be in the NBA today.
I remember being 20. I knew EVERYTHING. I knew NADA. Jeff has a lot to learn at a very difficult skill position. I think he’s doing OK. Acie never learned to break down defenses. He’ll never make it. A shot can be developed; speed and court awareness are there or they’re not.
Sautee
March 17th, 2010
9:20 am
wordsmithtom,
about this:
“Rondo couldnt get burn his first year in Boston. Wasn’t ready.”
I don’t disagree about Teague, but Rondo played 23.5 minutes a game his rookie year.
vava74
March 17th, 2010
11:00 am
wordsmithtom,
I respect your opinion and thank you for the props, however, yesterday was a match which was almost impossible to lose.
hence, I think the best option would have been to give Teague a true chance to work with the starting frontcourt with the rock in his hands, something which with Bibby on the floor could not happen.
Samuel
March 17th, 2010
1:07 pm
Man,I watch Jeff Teague last night against the Nets- dude almost look like he didn’t belong. Iv’e seen other rookies before early on in their career and they seem to shine. I hope he shows more against Toronto tonight. If not this could be a bust for the Atlanta Hawks.