Atlanta Hawks: Summer spotlight singes Teague
Not time to panic about 'Rook. (AP Photo)
Las Vegas–One bad Summer League game, one quote about deferring to J.J. and Co., and suddenly it seems like Teague has gone from savior to suspect in the eyes of some Hawks fans.
He apparently took so much guff from fans on Twitter it prompted him to tweet: dont you hate people who cant play at all but have so much 2 say smh.” That came a couple hours after he had tweeted after he tweeted: “my bad yesterday didnt have a good one”
I guess his fans agreed with him in terms that were a little too strong for his taste. Note to Teague: If you don’t like to hear mess from fans, probably best to leave Twitter alone.
It’s only two games into summer league. No doubt Teague had a bad game Wednesday but it’s tough to judge him when he’s playing with this group, just like it was tough to judge him when he was playing sporadic minutes under Woody. Shouldn’t we hold off on making strong declarations either way?
Earlier in the week Teague said: “I am kind of looking at this like I’m a rookie.” I know what he meant but he’s not a rookie and circumstances outside of his control dictate that he and the Hawks can’t look it that way. They have to find out what they have with Teague, and fast.
“We have to,” L.D. said.
Nevertheless, the inescapable reality is that Teague is still a young player finding his way. Figuring out how he can best use his skills on a team full of guys who want the ball and how to be assertive when he’s the least accomplished Hawks starter will be a process. L.D. likened it to what Rondo went through in Boston when he was suddenly expected to run point for a veteran team looking to contend.
“I told him Rondo went through a similar situation,” Drew said. “Rondo was not a rah-rah guy. He went through a rookie period and then he had all these veterans thrown at him. Then he stepped out of the box, which is what I want [Teague] to do.”
Obviously there’s no need to panic about Teague after just a couple Vegas games. But there does seem to be a bit of a gap this week between what L.D. and Lester Conner are saying and what Teague is saying.
The coaches say this is a big week for Teague to show how he can lead the team; Teague downplays the games because he’s playing with NBA hopefuls instead of Atlanta’s vets. The coaches want Teague to direct traffic, with Conner going to far as to allow Teague to call his own plays at times; Teague said he might give the ball up to others and let them initiate the offense.
Part of the disconnect probably has to do with Teague’s personality, which Conner described as a “laid-back, cool mentality.” There were times when Teague’s relaxed approach riled Woody, who wanted him to be more serious.
L.D. wants the same. He said he’s on top of it.
“We change the environment, it will change him,” L.D. said. “That’s how I feel. That’s my job.”
It’s only July. Maybe if Teague looks good against Milwaukee tonight–he said he can’t wait to redeem himself–he will feel the love again.
MC
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229 comments Add your comment
Fresh
July 15th, 2010
10:27 pm
“three of Shaq’s teams made the NBA finals with him, two of them won, and another one won 60 games in the regular season with him.”
Najeh,
That was like 5-7 years ago. Shaq isn’t anywhere near the old Shaq that ran on diesel feul. He now runs on regular unleaded…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 15th, 2010
10:27 pm
Regardless, even if the Hawks acquire Shaq to start, presumably he would only be playing 20-25 minutes per game and Smoove and Horford would continue to play the majority of the minutes at the big man positions. Nobody is assuming he is going to come in and average 20 and 10 and play 35 minutes a game like he did in his prime.
The Hawks, though, are at a point right now where they have to win now if they want to win. Some of y’all who keep talking about Marvin’s “potential” need to realize that the Hawks are past the point of waiting on potential. Joe Johnson has two or three years left in his prime, and this team is better off acquiring proven players to address their needs rather than holding on to not-so-promising prospects who have been given several chances to succeed but may or may not ever become productive. If the Hawks want to win now, they have to get past Orlando. And if they want to get past Orlando, they need Shaq. It’s that simple.
Jermaine
July 15th, 2010
10:28 pm
Najeh, I was referring to teams who recruited Shaq in hopes to stop a single player (e.g. Howard, Duncan) once he was well beyond his prime. I should have made that clear.
Don’t get me wrong, Shaq had an incredible career, but his best years are long gone. This isn’t the same player that won those titles back in the day. (On a side note, you have to remember that Shaq didn’t lead those teams to victory single-handedly. He always had superstar teammates and effective role players on those championship squads.) At this point in time, I’d argue that the past Shaq experiments with Phoenix and Cleveland were disappointments. It’s not all Shaq’s fault, mainly management didn’t take into account that he simply wasn’t a good fit for either of those teams. At any rate, Cleveland won more games without Shaq and Phoenix was far more effective with their run-and-gun game than with the slowed-down Shaq-oriented offense.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 15th, 2010
10:30 pm
That said, if the Hawks do trade Marvin for Shaq, they will have to find a small forward with part of the MLE who can guard LeBron. Thankfully, finding good defensive small forwards on the cheap is much, much easier than finding good defensive centers on the cheap, which is why I’m fine with trading Marvin for Shaq. Bring in Ronnie Brewer or Matt Barnes with part or all of the MLE and plug him in at SF. Problem solved.
O'Brien
July 15th, 2010
10:31 pm
Another reason for shaq to want to come here is because he would get 4 games against Howard, and 4 games against Miami and the superfriends.
And shaq loves that kind of spotlight. And that might get hawks more TV games.
As for the trade, I am okay with trading Marvin for shaq. But I Would insist on jamario moon in return as well.
MsDee
July 15th, 2010
10:31 pm
Shaq is the best center option for us right now..plus he will help sell tks immediately. I really would like to see butts in seats while I watch the games at home on TV..LOL!!
tidog
July 15th, 2010
10:35 pm
Mike Bibby game has declined with age like all ballers will. Bibby was winning National Championships, breaking Derick Fisher ankles and giving Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers all they wanted when most of you guys were still in your highchair eating Gerbers.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 15th, 2010
10:35 pm
Jermaine, Shaq was brought in to Cleveland to match up against Dwight Howard, but the Cavs never got a chance to go against the Magic this year in the playoffs. In my opinion, their loss to the Celtics had more to do with LeBron shooting 44% and averaging 7 turnovers per game for the series and Mo Williams’ defensive deficiencies than it did with Shaq.
I’m not under the illusion that he’s going to come in here and anchor this team. But there’s no question he will match up with Dwight Howard better than anyone currently on this roster. Ideally, if the Hawks can sign Shaq for the mid-level and hold on to Marvin for now that would be better for the Hawks, but if they have to execute the Marvin-for-Shaq deal to ensure that some other team doesn’t swoop in and get him, I’m fine with it.
MsDee
July 15th, 2010
10:39 pm
The HawksPRGuy saids it is a rumored someone started about Shaq and Marvin trade..he also said,
HawksPRGuy: I have no idea…rumors running wild tonight and the Hawks BKB staff is sitting together watching the game. I think if something was up, we would know about it.
MsDee
July 15th, 2010
10:41 pm
DANG, I was hoping it was true…well getting Shaq but not giving up Marvin though.
Freshmaker
July 15th, 2010
10:41 pm
PDcavsinsider #Cavs & Hawks have talked but there’s no sign-and-trade w/Shaq coming. Doesn’t sound like either party is very interested now.
Freshmaker
July 15th, 2010
10:44 pm
Why some of you guys are so enamored with Marvin all of a sudden is beyond me. I’m fine with keeping him but if you can get Shaq in return you do it. Get rid of Marvin’s not awful but not stellar either contract. He can be easily replaced. Shaq is the only big out there that we can get with any hope of slowing down Howard. He wouldn’t start but we don’t need him to. Whatever it takes to get him, you do it.
TryingHardToBeAFan
July 15th, 2010
10:49 pm
Teague the starting PG.???..chuckle J Smooth used as trade Bait. U think he is happy about that?
Drew had All the answers sitting on the Bench NEXT to Woody.Man I tell ya
Vincent
July 15th, 2010
10:58 pm
I personally think that the best bargain FA big man available this off-season was Jermaine O’neal. He’s still got a lot of gas left in the tank (unlike Shaq), and although he looked to be in serious decline this year, I think the majority of it had to do with lack of motivation. For the MLE, he’s a steal. It’s too bad that the Celtics beat everyone to him. The guy is a big body with decent mobility, shot blocking, and a solid mid-range game. He could have played well alongside either Josh or Al, considering he doesn’t post-up much anymore or clog the paint, giving Al and Josh plenty of room to operate in the paint. Also, he’s still quick enough to play an up-tempo style. I have to give the celtics props, they always seem to make nice off-season moves.
Dante Fitzgerald
July 15th, 2010
11:11 pm
Marvin Williams would rather want a rubiks cube in his hands than a basketball!!!! Trade this scrub for Shaq!
northcyde
July 15th, 2010
11:11 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
July 15th, 2010
10:22 pm
“how many teams have tried out the Shaq experiment before us and failed?”
Three of Shaq’s teams made the NBA finals with him, two of them won, and another one won 60 games in the regular season with him. The only team on which he could be considered a “failure” was Phoenix, and that team wasn’t going to make the Finals starting two of the league’s worst defensive players anyway. Say what you want about his ego, but very little in his career can be characterized as “failing”.
*************************
Exactly. Because in that Phoenix – San Antonio series, it wasn’t Duncan that killed the Suns . . it was Tony Parker continuously blowing by Steve Nash that did it.
Josh
July 15th, 2010
11:14 pm
ESPN radio is reporting Marvin Williams is being traded to the Cavs in a sign and trade for SHAQ.
northcyde
July 15th, 2010
11:15 pm
Fresh
July 15th, 2010
10:27 pm
“three of Shaq’s teams made the NBA finals with him, two of them won, and another one won 60 games in the regular season with him.”
*******************
If Zaza averaged 12 ppg and 7 rebs in 23 minutes like Shaq did last year, people around here would be touting Zaza as one of the most efficient centers in the league.
PER 36 MINUTE numbers
Shaq: 18 ppg – 10 rebs – 57% FG
You’re not going to find many centers around the league that can produce PER 36 numbers as good as that . . . including our very own Al Horford.
Don’t get it twisted. Shaq isn’t the most dominant force in the universe, like he used to be. But he’s still better than 75% of the centers in the league.
northcyde
July 15th, 2010
11:17 pm
If the trade is true . . . then I wish Marvin well. This will be a good place to establish his career with. I wonder what the final deal is for, if the trade went through?
LOL @ people calling Shaq a “scrub”. I don’t know what NBA people are watching.
JeJe
July 15th, 2010
11:20 pm
”
Josh
July 15th, 2010
11:14 pm
ESPN radio is reporting Marvin Williams is being traded to the Cavs in a sign and trade for SHAQ.”
Is he BEING traded or CLOSE to being traded? Twitter says it’s close
FIRE WOODY
FIRE SUND
JeJe
July 15th, 2010
11:21 pm
I’m telling you all, if ASG wants to really spend the minimum, get Damien Wilkins. He is 6″6, will literally cost the bare minimum, and dropped 41 on Joe 3 years ago (I was at that game). He can score points and is better than Mo Evans.
I think he plays defense too. No one in the NBA wants him. Sign him for SCRAPS AND BONES
Dan's Dickau
July 15th, 2010
11:26 pm
Damien Wilkins = Mo Evans.
Unless somebody’s coming with Shaq, this is a stupid short-sighted deal. Everybody forgets how good Williams was two years ago. Don’t do this trade.
Josh
July 15th, 2010
11:30 pm
ESPN Clevleland is also reporting the sign and trade for Shaq is happening. It appears Marvin’s days as a Hawk are done.
Hawk n the Ham
July 15th, 2010
11:35 pm
Via ESPN Cleveland:
“As previously believed, ESPN radio in Atlanta is reporting the #Cavs are close to sending Shaq to the Hawks for Marvin Williams in S&T.”
about 3 hours ago via web
Josh
July 15th, 2010
11:38 pm
MSNBC sports posted article at 10:57 PM titled, “Shaq to Hawks for Marvin still has legs.” They are reporting the deal is also almost complete.
Rev in Tampa
July 15th, 2010
11:52 pm
I am not getting my hopes up about Shaq coming to Atlanta, but I have revised my thinking about the Marvin for Shaq trade. Originally I was againt it because I believe that Marvin still has a lot of unrealized potential, so trading Marvin would hurt the Hawks in the future. But the Hawks won 53 games without Marvin’s ‘potential’ being realized. He was very average at best. The future is NOW. The Hawks will win a championship next year or not in the next decade (JJ’s contract will become more of an anchor around the neck than Bibby’s is now). So trade for Shaq, replace Marvin’s average contribution with an easy to find average contribution and go single-mindedly after that CHAMPIONSHIP! Props to Najeh since this is basically his argument.
Hoops
July 16th, 2010
12:34 am
When you make a trade, you want to win the trade for your team! It is possible for both teams to win. If the Hawks trade Marvin for Shaq they will lose that trade unless there are more pieces to the trade!
Cavs get-Marvin (starter),Evans (sub w/expiring contract), Bibby (sub/starter), send PTE-$2M
Total salaries-$16.7M
Hawks get-Shaq (sub), Mo Williams (starter that they want to trade), Hickson (sub/starter), receive PTE-$2M
Total salaries-$16.7M
BOTH TEAMS WIN!!!
Gamer
July 16th, 2010
3:17 pm
I think Teague will take his new assignments serious during the summer leagues and during camps with the veterans players. I think Larry Drew will emphasize these importances on Teague.
Because he must understand the importances of his position.
Now is the time to apply great pressure on him to see what will come out of him.
TrueHawk
July 19th, 2010
7:25 pm
For those interested: Othello Hunter was very good in summer league. Never translated to real minutes during the regular season. That is just one for @ Real Talk and Ray. You were right. There are many others. And I can name some more.