Atlanta Hawks: On Drew and Teague
The Hawks can use Teague's skills but he can't get regular minutes. (Benny Sieu / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Back on Dec. 16, before the Hawks played the Celtics at TD Garden, I had a conversation with L.D. about his team’s pick-and-roll defense. I noted that, according to Synergy Sports Technology, his team ranked next-to-last in the league at defending pick-and-roll ballhandlers (they now rank 28th, allowing .91 points per possession).
(Synergy counts only those times when the screen-roll ballhandler is “responsible for the ending action which can be a shot attempt, turnover or drawing a foul that results in free throws.” So it does not count the times when the initial pick-and-roll leads to other actions as the Hawks scramble. Notably, the Hawks rank first in the league at defending the roll man, allowing only .82 points per possession. I ‘m thinking this is what is known as “The Josh Smith effect.”)
So I asked L.D. how the Hawks could ever hope to be effective defending the perimeter given the guys who are playing the most minutes:
“Looking at our personnel, a lot of it involves Mike. Teams know that. We try and disguise some things to not have him as involved. He is at the stage of his career where it is tough for him to defend pick-and-rolls and teams know that. We try to do some things to disguise it, try to manipulate it. He is not the only one. We have just got guys with the initial impact of the ball, they have a hard time with it. We just try to manipulate it a little bit to make it a little bit easier for him. It’s something we will continue to work at.”
This naturally led to a question about Teague. I let L.D. know I was not trying to suggest that Teague is a cure-all for the team’s woes defending the pick-and-roll but certainly he is the best option the Hawks have right now. He has the potential to become even better at it as he gains experience and sees more situations.
Is it that L.D. believes Teague is giving up too much offensively in relation to Bibby and Jamal to give Teague more minutes?
“I’m trying to find that balance. You give up certain things with certain guys. Teague has the speed, the quickness, the footspeed to defend the pick-and-roll. But you give up things in other areas with him on the floor. He vs. Mike on the floor, obviously Mike is a shotmaker and you give that up. It’s tick for tack. You try to get both guys better in areas where they are deficient. You try to get Mike better at defending the pick-and-rolls, We have got to manipulate it a little bit and help him out as much as you can with that. Teague, because he does a pretty good job with it, we constantly try to improve his shot and keep him in an attack mode offensively and get to the basket and finishing. You give up something on one end, you give up something else at the other.”
This is a good time to compare Teague’s production and efficiency in 2009-10 to this season so far.
Teague’s production per 36 minutes is better in nearly every category. His effective field-goal percentage, true-shooting percentage, assist percentage, rebound percentage and block percentage are all improved. His turnover percentage is up slightly. Teague’s usage percentage is down even as his minutes are up. The numbers may not look as good if he were to get even more minutes, and chances are he will never be an offensive threat like Bibby and Jamal, but Teague is not killing the Hawks offensively and there are signs he’s getting better.
Back to Boston: Hours after that conversation with L.D., Teague had probably his best game of the season. Afterward, Teague talked about taking L.D.’s message to heart and focusing on being aggressive and assertive. L.D. praised Teague’s play: “That’s what I am looking for. I need that.” Drew said this in a way that made me think that he really does want Teague to become a permanent fixture in the rotation and believes he can do it.
And so what happened from there? Teague played 15 solid minutes in the next game against Charlotte, then seven minutes at New Jersey and eight vs. Orlando. Teague got 18 minutes against Cleveland, then a DNP-CD against New Orleans. Jamal sat out all of those games except New Orleans, and there are some good pick-and-roll teams among that group. Yet Teague still couldn’t get consistent minutes.
That led to last night at Milwaukee. Before the game I reminded L.D. of our conversation at Boston and asked him if he still thought Teague was too much of a liability offensively in relation to Jamal and Bibby to warrant a permanent spot in the rotation:
“He certainly brings the speed aspect to what we do and we definitely need that. When he is playing with that kind of reckless abandonment with his speed, we are effective. He has to know when to punch it and when to back off. Certainly his speed is something we don’t have, and hopefully he will continue to learn and continue to get better in that area because that is something we desperately need from him. I didn’t play him last night but certainly looking to get him in there tonight, especially against Boykins.”
And then Drew did get Teague in there, and Teague had another fine game while playing 18 minutes. Afterward Teague talked about Lester Conner staying in his ear and encouraging him to impact the game. Drew praised Teague’s performance.
So what will all this mean for Teague from here on out? Based on what’s happened so far, it’s hard to say. The whole thing has been a bit confusing. As an organization the Hawks talked all summer about the importance of Teague becoming a major contributor. Then he got hurt in training camp and fell behind. It seems he’s been playing catch-up ever since and hasn’t always been afforded the opportunity to work his way through rough stretches or rewarded for his good performances.
Certainly L.D. has given Teague more opportunities than his predecessor on the bench. But I think a fair interpretation of events is that, despite L.D.’s stated desire to mold the Hawks into a defensive team and develop his young players, his decisions in this matter reflect a different tact. (Shoot, it makes me wonder how willing he’d be to stick with the promising “big” lineup if Twin were a young guy. Would it just mean more Etan Thomas?)
Since L.D.’s actions with Teague don’t always match his words, I can only conclude that he is reluctant to reduce minutes for his two veteran “shotmakers” with defensive deficiencies for the sake of finding more playing time for his most physically-gifted perimeter defender. This is happening even though L.D. says the team needs Teague’s skill set, Teague has shown signs of improving offensively and he is key to both the team’s fortunes this season and in the future.
Drew has said that because Jamal, Bibby and Teague have such contrasting strengths and weaknesses he’s always thinking about making adjustments on the fly. He doesn’t have one guard who can do it all so he’s trying to match his available pieces to situations. But so far Teague seems to be getting lost in that equation. Stay tuned, blog people.
MC
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196 comments Add your comment
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
6:25 pm
At least Sy is not in the D-League where he can at least work out and develop his skills. Hopefully he’ll become a starting PG or something. At least he’s getting run instead of rotting now.
JeJe
December 28th, 2010
6:31 pm
“I agree with Collins now starting, the hawks have a good mix of role players and go to men, but no way Josh should be starting over Marvin..i never seen a former #2 pick having to play second fiddle to just a solid player…”
So what your saying is that a guy, (Josh Smith) who has better career numbers in every category, PPG, RPG, APG, FG%, MPG, BPG, SPG, except for 3 point percentage and free throw percentage, was voted as the second best defensive player in the league last year, never gets hurt, and has arguably been the second best player on this team for the last couple of years, should come off the bench behind a guy who has a history of injury, disappears in the vast majority of his games played, does not play with any intensity, and is worse in almost all statistical categories? What if you did your job for 5 straight years, and were better than they guy next to you for 5 years, and then he had a two to three week period, where he produced better than you. Should he get a promotion over you? Think before you type. If you like Marvin’s game, cool, but stop trying to discredit Josh with Marvin. The two players are not even in the same hemisphere offensively or defensively.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
6:36 pm
@ Ramon,,,
My bad, can I have an old ABA Finals point then?
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
6:41 pm
JeJe – can’t a dude’s grandmother show some undying love for her grandkid? It’s Christmas already. Give her a break. She love’s Marvin…and he’s actually doing good.
I think some good old fashion competition would make both Smoove and Marvin better. Bring a big C option so we can have them competing for minutes each night. Seems to wake up Marvin & Smoove needs a head check lately.
L-QUE
December 28th, 2010
6:56 pm
LD is playing job security, and if i was afraid of not showing better than Woody last year, i would move JJ to the point in some game situations , N.O was one where JJ had CP shooting jumpers, LD wont risk his job now to develop J.T he coach like he is afraid.JT nor JC2 will never get a chance as long as BIBBY,JC1,and MO are in the house
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
Damn, Fundamentals @6:41 beat me to it.
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
7:05 pm
Moving Jamal and Mo for a legit C like Kaman, Camby, Pryzbilla, McGhee, Blatche, ect will not only help our post defense, but force LD to use Damien, JC2 and Teague more. This will only improve the “energy” and later the team.
I’d rather be a 37 win team that shocks the world than a 53 win team that get’s it’s @$$ kicked every year when it counts.
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
7:10 pm
To me it seems that Marvin and Teague are negatively affected by Jamal and Mo getting minutes as “shotmakers”, only problem is they have no real upside for development, nor do they play defense. Why not try to improve? We know what Jamal & Mo can bring. Risk a few wins to see what Teague and JC2 can bring.
Why bring Damien here if we aren’t going to use him?
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
7:14 pm
Does Mo getting fouls b/c he’s undersized at SF or too slow at SG count as D? Dude’s a step slow b/c he hasn’t healed. He’s fighting for a role, for his pride so that he can be valuable to this team. Only problem is he’s undermining the team while failing to exhibit his talent for a trade.
Mo – get healthy and market yourself in Feb when deals will be comign right and left. Get our agent to work a deal. You have no role here. Find a team w/o a good SG and you’ll finally be the man.
PS – take ZaZa with you for the same reasons. He can be the “man” elsewhere too.
Props to LD for rewarding Twin for his hard work, deidication to the team and willingness to play his role!
Rod from College Park
December 28th, 2010
7:24 pm
Thanks Jeje,
Did not know that there was a new blog up.
ryan
December 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
So i hear Jammal Crawford is heading to the D league does this mean he is done with the Hawks now the Hawks can makes some moves with legal limbo is over .
JeJe
December 28th, 2010
7:35 pm
MARVIN IS NO LONGER THE PROBLEM. IF HE COMES OFF THE BENCH WITH ANGER AND INTENSITY, HE WILL BE FINE. OF COURSE THIS WON’T ERASE HIS LAST 5 YEARS OF USELESSNESS, BUT HE IS A GOOD FIT OFF THE BENCH
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM IS MIKE MINIME BIBBY.
AS KEN SAID, HIS SHOOTING DOES NOT OFFSET HIS EGREGIOUS DEFENSIVE INEFFICIENCIES
GET A NEW STARTING PG LIKE I SAY EVERY DAMN DAY
dell706
December 28th, 2010
7:42 pm
I read on a site about the Wizards trading either Blatche or McGee for what happened with them, think the Hawks can look at trying to get McGee…..would be nice for them!!
ant banks
December 28th, 2010
7:48 pm
teague really has the advantage over bibby and jc1. HE IS YOUNGER. he should spend his entire summer shooting 1,000 shots in the morning, work out, and shoot 1000 shots in the evening. do this for 60 days durin’ 2 summer, by his 4th yr in league, he should be starting. this is dedication. this separates the wheat from the chaff
ant banks
December 28th, 2010
7:50 pm
DELL,
the hawks don’t have the BALLS (pun intended) to pull of the trade to get javalle mcghee in here.
JeJe
December 28th, 2010
8:07 pm
No point getting McGhee with Collins playing this well (he has taken at least 3 charges – what other big on this team can EFFECTIVELY take a charge?)
Get a point guard.
Also, Teague’s 3s haven’t been bad lately
Elliot
December 28th, 2010
8:08 pm
“I agree with Collins now starting, the hawks have a good mix of role players and go to men, but no way Josh should be starting over Marvin..i never seen a former #2 pick having to play second fiddle to just a solid player…”
I will say this, Marvin is probably better at the SF position than Josh is, mostly on the offensive end, and when it comes to defending skilled wing players. However, Josh, overall, has been the superior player for a number of years, and, when his head is in the game, he has a much larger impact on the game than Marvin does. If Marvin is improving and finally starting to make use of his skills, that’s great, but at this point, I don’t think it would be fair to bench Smoove in favor of Marvin.
Additionally, I think Marvin’s style fits in much better with the second unit, which is typically offensively deficient. Marvin is a better offensive player than Josh is, and I really think that his skill set meshes better with the second unit than Josh’s does.
Ramon
December 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
Isaiah Thomas is somewhere laughing at everyone about Wilson Chandler. Isaiah was crazy with contracts, but he was good in the draft.
Scoop
December 28th, 2010
9:18 pm
Confusing post MC. I do not exactly understand what your point is and it always appears that your hedging your stance on coach Drew with your subtle rhetorical questions and what-if scenarios.
My opinion is that coach Drew should be coach of the year and does not get enough credit for the job he is doing. No one talks about what a smart adjustment LD made by inserting Twin into the starting lineup for defensive purposes. The Magic, who CRUSHED us last year, could easily be down three games against us this year(new lineup or not).
The mere fact of questioning Teague’s role is a testament to his improvement this year in producing consistently and some credit has to go to LD and his new offensive system. How about Marvin and the streak of 7-8 games he has put together. There is no question he has benefited from a more balanced offense and is showing what he can do. The difference this year is the adjustments from game to game that LD makes. Teams have been clogging the paint against us forcing perimeter shots but good ball rotation around our post ups of mismatches has led to good open shots.
However, I do feel like the Hawks need to make a trade. I have not looked at the contracts in enough detail, but I think the Hawks should go after Steve Nash. The one guy I feel like has faltered in our motion offense is Jamal Crawford. Maybe it is because he is in a contract year or just needs the ball in his hands to be effective but I do not think his production will be enough. While he is able to create off the dribble, it is for his own shot. A guy like Nash creates in order to facilitate and get open shots for guys which we do not have in Bibby or JC. While Teague posses this ability he can not be relied upon to contribute consistently to win a championship. I would propose something along the lines to Phoenix like: JC’s expiring contract, Zaza-an affordable center still with some potential, and a 1st round pick.
Having Nash’s facilitating and Bibby 3 point shooting would be an unstoppable combination that would put the Hawks in championship contention.
SteveW
December 28th, 2010
9:46 pm
MC – I have been an average sports page reader for over 30 years, way before there were blogs and the internet. And I’m not trying to exagerate, but I don’t think I’ve read a finer article anywhere. This nailed it exactly, and you tactfully but forcefully stated your opinions about LD’s decisions. This was great!
And true. Start Teague, see what happens. I’m a Bibby fan, and he can still get his 18 mpg as an aging PG. Develop Teague, you’ll be glad you did. The guys a freakish athlete. And a good scorer to if you ever saw him in college. All these folks dissing his J don’t know what there talking about.
SteveW
December 28th, 2010
9:51 pm
And as much as I’ve liked Jamal, and in the past Mo’ especially his 1st year here, yipee! They’ll probably be gone this next year, and we can turn JC2 and Teague loose; by necessity. And I’m saying “Yippee” only in 1 sense. Jamal is a fave of mine, and I appreciate his work ethic. And Mo’ saved us after Childress left, then when Marvin got hurt with his back. But it is time to look to the future, with the new CBA and everything. And I think the Hawks will thrive with Teague and JC2>
But I do think LD is not playing for the future, he’s got to win now, or be canned.
PD
December 28th, 2010
10:02 pm
I like this article MC. I have been wondering this Teague thing. Does he have to get 20 assist and 20 points in 18 minutes to get more PT. you figure that one out. He would basically have to pass it to himself and score. Plenty of teams would give so much for a promising young point guard.
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
10:25 pm
You said it best Steve W. We do owe Jamal and Mo for what they’ve done for this team. I know Crawford is upset about not being in “future” plans but he’s making that case for himself. This teams future right now is in Teague and hopefully JC2 taking over their slots. Not playing them is definitely playing for now & not later. I’m just afraid the later will be in the playoffs, not next year… much like it was last year when guys like Twin weren’t ready.
Fundamentals
December 28th, 2010
10:28 pm
I’m hoping all this playing time is marketing ZaZa, Mo and Crawford for potential suitors. Right now they don’t seem to be in “future” plans for the team. Bibby was right there with them, but he’s shown he can be of value. If Crawford could prove he’s down with LD’s motion offense and actually play D I’d be down for giving him whatever he wants to stay. As long as he insists on dictating the offense and playing no D he has no place in our future.
JeJe
December 28th, 2010
10:46 pm
Everyone needs to cut it out with this “players getting extra PT so we can trade them.”
No damn trade is happening. We have the most dysfunctional, defiant, and arrogant front office in the league. No one can tell these ignoramuses anything.
No trades are happening so let it go
Ken Sugiura
December 28th, 2010
10:49 pm
great work, Mike.
one thing i’d throw out about Drew’s thinking and where it maybe doesn’t match his actions. he’s waited his whole coaching career for this opportunity and he has to think he’s on a relatively short leash. he knows what he’s going to get from bibby (for better or worse). teague has obvious potential, but isn’t nearly as consistent.
i can see why he wouldn’t be quite as willing to roll the dice night to night with teague and play for the long term as you hope he would. not saying it’s right, just that i understand.
wxwax
December 28th, 2010
10:49 pm
Excellent blog entry!
Thanks for giving such a detailed explanation, Michael. It’s much appreciated.
J from the A
December 28th, 2010
10:50 pm
Interesting trade (no I am not endorsing it):
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2ctj2k3
May need to throw in a draft pick or two and/or Teague.
Hawks get Camby, Billups, and Harrington. The trade solves the Hawks two biggest problems. Denver goes for it because the trade immediately makes them relevant (assuming they decide to make a run this year w/ Melo; however, even if the move Melo there are other reasons why they might bite on this deal). Portland goes for it because they need to blow up the team and immediately start rebuilding.
It ends up being a blockbuster high-risk/high-reward trade that could possibly push the Hawks into contender status (or it could completely blow up in their faces, depending on how the new players accumulate to the Hawks).
J from the A
December 28th, 2010
10:50 pm
Oh, and great info MC. Thanks for putting in the work!
prison mike
December 28th, 2010
10:52 pm
Teague is gaining confidence and thus his play has elevated. But when bibby eventually gets away from his recent struggles and jamal starts to get hot there will be more dnps for jt. Once he learns how to absorb contact in the paint and stop relying on the floater so much he will be a good player for the hawks.
In reality bibby only has 1.5 years left as a hawk so it’s time to start amping up teague’s development.
Ray
December 28th, 2010
11:03 pm
At this rate I don’t know what to make of what’s going on with JC2 or Jamal Crawford 2.0.
From what I saw since he was drafted the guy was better than the D-League you don’t ever seen a player to the D-league to find minutes he goes to get developed, but what development does he need that’s not just playing on the court to get more experience.
As far as the three players that are not in our future they should already have their bags packed up if you ask me especially two of them Zaza, and Mo neither have been playing great B-ball lately since like 2 years ago which is sad.
O'Brien
December 28th, 2010
11:16 pm
Bibby can only get worse, and Teague can only get better. If LD keeps this up, Bibby’s contract will be in its final year, and we still dont know what Teague can do.
And guys should not give up on Teague either. Mike Conley was picked 4th, and he did not start playing well until his third or fourth year.
I know Teague’s situation is difficult because he is on a potential 50 win team, but I think Teague has the potential to be at least a solid backup PG.
I have been disappointed in LD with the development. Mo Evans and Jamal are in their final year, which means they could be gone. So what will LD do next year?
Grandad
December 28th, 2010
11:45 pm
I have been reading newspaper articles for over 50 years.
Today’s article was one of them.
Samuel
December 28th, 2010
11:49 pm
JC2 is the best rookie we’ve had here since Al Horford. LD is much worse than Woody by not playing JC2. Dude is a baller. Huge mistake.
Ken Strickland
December 28th, 2010
11:50 pm
I don’t understand how LDrew can make lineup changes to create or eliminate advantages or disadvantages @ center, yet refuses to address, or even consider, making changes to create or eliminate advantages or disadvantages at PG.
Just like Woodson did, LDrew is focusing on what he feels Teague doesn’t do well, while trivializing the teams need for what he does do well. On the other hand, he seems to believe Bibby’s 3pt shooting is important enough to compensate for, and trivalize, his inconsistency, limitations, and lack of speed, quickness, penetrating ability and DEF.
With all of that said, the possibility that Bibby, Jamal and MEvans are being showcased as trade bait can’t be ignored. This might also be the motivation behind the sudden decision to send both Pape Sy and JoCrawford to the D-League. The idea might be to get them in gm condition and ready, as a prelude to an upcoming trade.
The team did a very good job with both JJ and Jamal out with injuries. So, if the team can win without both players, it can certainly win without Jamal alone. While I have nothing more than speculation to go on, I feel we’ll see both MEvans, Jamal, and maybe Zaza, traded by the deadline.
With Jamal gone, we’ll have to bring in another PG. I don’t think Bibby will be traded, because his clutch shooting and vet savy seems to be highly prized by Drew, and rightfully so. He just needs to be brought off the bench, and/or have his mins reduced in favor of Teague.
JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION.
Michael Cunningham
December 29th, 2010
12:48 am
@Scoop: “Confusing post MC. I do not exactly understand what your point is and it always appears that your hedging your stance on coach Drew with your subtle rhetorical questions and what-if scenarios.”
not sure what yo mean here. i do try to be fair, though, so if that’s what you call hedging, then so be it.
“The mere fact of questioning Teague’s role is a testament to his improvement this year in producing consistently and some credit has to go to LD and his new offensive system. How about Marvin and the streak of 7-8 games he has put together. There is no question he has benefited from a more balanced offense and is showing what he can do.”
if this is true and he’s producing consistently, then why doesn’t he play consistent minutes? i’ve tried to give L.D. a chance to explain and when he does his answers seem to be inconsistent.
i do think Marvin has benefited from the new offense and have said as much before.
Rev in Tampa
December 29th, 2010
12:59 am
Grandad,
I’ve got to inquire as to the meaning of your 11:45pm post. Just want to understand better what you are saying.
Are you saying that this particular blogpost by MC was just another run of the mill article. Or are you saying that this blogpost stood in the line of great investigative, hard-hitting, journalism of 50 years ago that has largely been forgotten by the drivel we typically read in the once august NYT, WP, & AJC?
I would be of the second opinion. In fact, in MC’s posting I even noted ‘passion’.
Scoop
December 29th, 2010
1:00 am
Let me be clear-nearly all of your posts are very well written and informative. However, I take issue with the substance part involving LD mainly because I feel he does not get enough praise from the media in general.
On the point of Teague’s production, while up to this point he has given production beyond what was expected given his role, but I believed I said that I would not rely on that or believe that to expand given extra playing time when the Hawks are determined to win the East and make it to the championship(which I think they will do). That is why I believe we can use the available money that would have gone to Shaq to make a deal only for Nash. I do not think this team needs much except a little more benefit from the whistle and beyond Nash’s passing ability, I think that he would help here too. However, I do not think we should make a deal for the only purpose of just making one.
MC, you spoke of how poor the Hawks p&r defense was, which I believe would be partially solved with giving Mo Evans more pt. His greatest value is his perimeter quickness and I believe he should play more SG and move JJ to the three more when we are playing smaller lineups with quick guards like tomorrow with Golden State.
To be honest, this is the only sports blog I post on and that is mainly because the content you provide is interesting and in depth.
JeJe
December 29th, 2010
1:05 am
The Spurs just beat the Lakers by 15 and Duncan+Manu combined for 11 points.
For us tot beat the Lakers, at home or on the road, we need 3 guys to have career nights
Scoop
December 29th, 2010
1:07 am
The Bucks crushed the Lakers
We crushed the Bucks……..
Nuff Said
JeJe
December 29th, 2010
1:09 am
THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A TRADE.
WE ARE NOT SHOWCASING ANYONE. LARRY DREW IS AN INCONSISTENT AVERAGE/MEDIOCRE COACH WHO REFUSES TO PLAY DAMIEN AND TEAGUE
FOR EXAMPLE, DAMIEN SHUT DOWN LBJ IN THE MIAMI GAME, BUT DIDN’T EVEN GET BACK IN IN THE 4TH. THE NEXT TIME WE PLAY MIAMI, WE’LL SEE MO EVANS (WHO IS NOT EVEN 6″5 AS LISTED) ON LBJ
LOL
Scoop
December 29th, 2010
1:15 am
@JeJe
-um no we will not see Mo on king james because Joe is healthy………….
….Nuff Said
O'Brien
December 29th, 2010
1:47 am
Well said Ken S. For every 3 points Bibby scores, he gives up 2, so I dont think his offense is enough to offset his defense.
And the reason why LD needs to give Teague minutes now, is because if we play Jameer Nelson, Rondo, Derrick Rose in the playoffs, Bibby and the Hawks will be pick and rolled to death.
Teague needs to take his lumps from now, so he will be ready for the playoffs.
Hawk n the Ham
December 29th, 2010
2:03 am
If the Hawks are suppose to be a “Defense First” team, why isn’t the starting rotation:
1 Teague
2 Johnson
3 Smoove
4 Horford
5 Collins
Would this not be the ideal lineup for solid defense and easy transition buckets?
cowbulls
December 29th, 2010
2:21 am
The biggest difference is Bibby is getting older and worse every day. The Hawks also should limit his playing time to save him for the playoffs. Teague can only get better with playing time. At the very least, the Hawks need to find out if they have to draft another PG next year or can take a true center.
MsDee
December 29th, 2010
2:24 am
Is it me, or is anybody else looking forward to seeing how well Pape Sy does with the Utah Flash?
northcyde
December 29th, 2010
2:29 am
What an excellent blog by MC.
Thorough . . concise . . highly informative . . just an excellent piece of analysis.
I noticed back in November that Drew had a tendency to make an offensive adjustment when the team was struggling, than a defensive one. And the player early on that was benefitting from it, was Josh Powell. If Powell made a few shots, Drew would stick with that dude . . even at the expense of leaving Al or Josh on the bench.
Bibby, I believe, is still at #1 . . when it comes to +/- ratio for the Hawks ( I need to check that ). The team does play better offensively when he’s in the game ( on most nights ).
But MC definitely makes the right points. If Drew admits to using “Woody coaching moves” with his hiding of Bibby and “other players” ( mainly Jamal and Horford ), why isn’t Teague being given a chance to slow people down?
Especially now, since the guy is playing decent off the bench?
To give Teague a chance to impact a game, both Bibby AND Jamal’s minutes are going to have to be trimmed.
But when the Hawks are down in a game, Drew is always going to opt to play the offensive minded players, instead of inserting a defensive one
darrell starks
December 29th, 2010
2:48 am
MC great post by my man RUFUS he said the celtics win because of rondo and perkins who’s defense out way there non off. skills, very well put with collins starting at center and teague at point the defense intensity will raise 2 another level and make the hawks contenders not pretenders.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Scoop
December 29th, 2010
2:50 am
I hear all the good points about Teague, but the fact is the Hawks guard rotation is too deep and talented and there just is not consistent minutes. While he may posses the talent to potentially shore up one of our weaknesses that still does not justify a reduction in Bibby or JC’s minutes. While both lack the lateral foot speed the loss offensively would be too great. Plus, JJ ends up on the best offensive player anyway. If anything I would want more pt for Mo.
darrell starks
December 29th, 2010
2:52 am
Teague have shown flashes on defense, and kind of remind me of eddie johnson back in the day with the hawks.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!