Hawks 103, Bobcats 87

CHARLOTTE – Greeting, all. A pretty satisfying win for all you Hawks fans, I imagine. One night after a complete flop, the Hawks win without Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Josh Powell, on the back end of a back-to-back against a team that is starting to show some life.

– Joe Johnson continues to roll. After a nine-point effort against New Orleans, he goes 12 for 18 for 32 points. While it looked like they did a little more isolation than normal, a lot of it appeared kind easy for him tonight, with the exception of the bump he took near the end of the second half. He says it might be a bruise. He had a leg-length compression sock on the leg after the game. He was glad the team won’t have to play again till Wednesday to let him heal up.

– You all probably know better, but that’s the best I’ve seen Zaza Pachulia play this season, particularly in the second half. He went to the basket better than usual and showed some touch. I must confess, I was dubious when Larry Drew said he was putting Zaza in the lineup to give the team some offensive punch, but he came through.

– Charlotte fell right in the trap when the Hawks went zone in the middle of the third quarter. They went 2-for-9 in the midst of a Hawks’ 17-4 run that put the game away. There were misses from 23 feet, 26, 16, 20 and 17 feet by Gerald Wallace (6-7), Boris Diaw (6-8), Stephen Jackson (6-8) and Gerald Henderson (6-5). They were makeable shots, but I’m going to presume they could have gotten better had they worked at it a little more.

“For the most part our energy was there, but once our shots stopped falling and they started making shots, the energy level and the spirits just kind of dropped a little bit,” Wallace said. “I think that was the turning point of the game and they took over from there.”

– I’ll say this – Charlotte missed a lot of open jump shots. Maybe that’s just what the Bobcats do, but I think the Hawks dodged a bit of a bullet.

– A DNP for Jeff Teague. The team was shorthanded – albeit more with the bigs than with guards – and he didn’t get in. I don’t know if it was a message, but it was a little peculiar that Jordan Crawford got squeezed into the game at the end and Teague did not. Didn’t get a chance to talk to Drew. In January, Teague’’s gotten four DNP’s.

“If you get in there, you’d better do what you can do,” he said. “If he doesn’t put me in, I’ll cheer for my teammates and hopefully they’ll do well.”

– Good night for Mike Bibby. He was 5-for-10 from the floor and showed some spark driving to the basket a few times.

“I’ve been in the league long enough to know that there’s going to be some good nights and there’s going to be some bad nights,” he said. “Last night was a bad night all the way around. It happens, not to that extreme as it did, but it does happen. We followed it up with a good win and now everybody’s back.”

– Hawks are 4-0 in the red uniforms this year. Seventh different starting lineup this year. Despite Johnson missing nine games, Crawford missing six, Horford missing two, Williams missing 15 and Mo Evans missing eight, the Hawks are one game behind their pace from last year, when they had near perfect health.

200 comments Add your comment

Rev in Tampa

January 23rd, 2011
1:15 am

Ken, thanks for your posts before, after and DURING the game. I really appreciated hearing your perspective.

I have been after MC to ask Drew the following question, “What will Teague have to be able to do to earn 20+ minutes a game?”

On the blog we are all very confused about this point. We believe that there must be something that Drew is seeing in practice about Teague that we have yet to see because it makes no sense that Teague is glued to the bench when the Hawks need more help at pg. Actually, northcyde is not confused, but we all disagree with him on Teague so he doesn’t count. What’s funny, however, is that northcyde formulated the question that I am asking you to ask Coach Drew.

Rev in Tampa

January 23rd, 2011
1:17 am

Correcton: “What will Teague have to do to be able to earn 20+ minutes a game?”

I Believe In This Team

January 23rd, 2011
1:26 am

Great to see a win, but my fan legs are still a bit wobbly from the New Orleans game.

I’ve also found it interesting that JC2 has been handling the point when he’s been in. I wonder if the franchise is curious about Jordan Crawford becoming the heir to the starting point guard position. If that’s the case I hope Jeff Teague finds some minutes on another team. I’ve been a fan of his since Wake, and he deserves the chance to run an offense in the NBA.

I really don’t understand why our rookies ride so much pine. We don’t have the depth of roster to not develop these younger players.

FREE JORDAN CRAWFORD

GET WELL MARVIN AND AL.

Worldwide Clyde

January 23rd, 2011
1:39 am

Free Jordan Crawford

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Atlanta Hawks Buzz and Chris, Víctor Alvarez M. Víctor Alvarez M said: RT @hawksbuzztap: Hawks Blog >> Hawks 103, Bobcats 87 http://buzztap.com/-aJT279 [...]

TRADE 4 NASH

January 23rd, 2011
3:39 am

Free Jordan Crawford

Hawks Fan In New Orleans

January 23rd, 2011
4:47 am

Seventh!!! The band wagon has sure gotten lighter after the Hornet’s loss. But hey maybe JJ, Smoove and Bibby are right about all good teams suffer games like that blow out because The Hornets just crushed the Spurs by double digits – two top teams got bombed by these annoying insects I live near, lol.

Freshfromatl

January 23rd, 2011
5:25 am

Free Jordan Crawford

vava74

January 23rd, 2011
5:32 am

I refrain from even checking in the blog after the NO debacle which I actually anticipated

After the MIA win, a ball club like te Hawks – without a winning culture and with too many childish characters – were bound to lay an egg.

Add up to that LD’s still work in progress coaching style and strategy and that happened.

Also, NO has been on a tear again after takingsome time to readjust after the trade they made with TOR.

Disappointing losses happen, even to te best. One night after distroying UTA – resting half way all their regulars- BOS lost to the Wizards.

So there you have it.

Big Daddy

January 23rd, 2011
6:40 am

I am very pleased that the guys got their act together enough to win against the Bobcats in Charlotte. They have had our number for some time and this just shows the guys do have the pride and professionalism to come out and do better.

I saw where some pointed out that both the Celtics and the Spurs loss last night against teams they should have beat. The Celtics lost by 2 and the Spurs loss by 14. If the Hawks had loss by either of those margins I am certain you would not have seen the rants from the others on the blog, including MC. I have seen a few more records that were broken by that loss including the most ever in NBA history with a team 10 games over .500. You don’t just brush something like that aside. We had the worst loss in margins in NBA playoff history in last year’s playoffs and our loss against NOH was the worst in ATL francise history. You are sticking your head in the sand if you say that is just one loss. Decent, well-built, well-coached teams don’t lose like that. There is something fundmentally wrong with our team’s structure. In a way, I don’t want to blow up the team and start over. But, there has to be a major change and the longer we wait the harder it is going to be to fix it.

I do echo the sentiments of many in what is so wrong with Jeff Teague that he does not get the time to develop and mature. I fear that he is going to be traded and end up on a team that will develop him and use his talents. You have only to point to Boris Diaw to see how once he left the team how he has been. Think about what it would be like for him to be anchoring the small forward spot now. Or Al Harrington for that matter.

I don’t think that most people jumped off the band wagon as much as demonstrated their disgust for a poor performance by highly paid athletes. They will be back and cheering for their team. Let’s hope the team really gives them something to cheer about.

Big Ray

January 23rd, 2011
6:54 am

Jeff Teague is quickly going the way of Acie Law.

The 2005 draft is STILL haunting us. And that’s no knock on Mike Bibby, just sayin’…

ken

January 23rd, 2011
8:55 am

My take is that coach Drew is taking the short term view and seeking seeking to build is resume with regular season wins at the expense of developing his younger players. I believe this to be the root cause of Josh Powell incident Friday night which lead to his suspension.The Hawks bench players are getting fustrated with Drew’s lack of a clear substition pattern after this late in the season. I noticed that no matter how well they play in a game, it is usually followed up with a ” DNP coach’s decision. This type of nonsense is enough to fustrate anyone. What coach Drew needs to understand is that with this team, he will be judged by what this team does in the playoffs and they will never take the next step without adequate development of the bence players. In this regard, coach Drew is too much like his fomer boss.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
10:11 am

Intangible Deficit!

Northcyde said it Best, when he said:

“Rondo was a leader, who needed his talent developed. So was Deron Williams. You show me a young PG that fails in the NBA, and I’ll show you a guy that is not a leader.”
________________________

Rondo’s start in Boston was well documented as very shaky. Reports said, he was stubborn as hell and clashed with the HOF’ers on his team. He had a very strong opinion and would bark orders and tell the veterans what to do in practices and games and refused to back down to them. It took a lot of patience from Doc and the Team to reign him in. Look at Rondo now, the rest is history. Doc saw the Intangible LEADER in him! Rondo had to learn how to play in the NBA, many great College players struggle with this and don’t always make that transition, especially at the PG position. A position of Leadership!
________________________

The Draft has no tools to measure the HEART of a man. The Bible says, “The HEART is he seat of motivation.”. A man will always do what is in his HEART to do. God does not judge our actions. God judges the HEART of man.
_______________________

Has any of out Teague supporters ever seen Jeff bark orders, get in anybody’s face and actually run the offense. Does Jeff, take control in practices and leave no doubt to his teammates that HE is in charge of the offensive sets and schemes. Does Jeff even know the offense himself. Teague has to display that he is in charge and be a VOCAL Leader on the floor at all times.

Northcyde may have clearly identified what is holding Jeff back – Jeff himself!
___________________

Great insight from NorthCyde on the last blog. The post that followed this one, also drove this point home! A Home Run!
_______________________

Also, the scouts said Jeff was a SG not a PG. IMHO, he is too small for the NBA SG position, and does not show NBA range nor fundamental shooting skills. His shot to me, looks like Ron Artest: a flat, line-drive, no lift and no arch.

Look at the player and don’t just blame the coach. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

brigadierjerry

January 23rd, 2011
10:29 am

drmaryb,

you make a good point about Teague. He is a combo guard that has a broke jumper and that is why he isnt getting minutes. If he could somehow be able to hit a jump shot he would be in the rotation. He is at best an earl boykins type of guard. He should look to pattern his game after Ty Lawson because he does have speed.

Fundamentals

January 23rd, 2011
10:33 am

It’d be nice for Drew to come out and be up front about his decision not to use Teague, Powell, Etan and JC2. You could almost lump ZaZa in on that till his use of late. I agree we need wins, but like last year, they’ll come at the expense of post season success.

I hope that Powell’s suspension did in fact come from him standing up for the 3rd unit. Each player has shown talent, flashes, and a need for minutes to develop. Each has gotten unneccessary DNP’s and lack of minutes after decent or excellent play.

LD needs to decide how he can use them or let them go to another team for players he will use.

The Real Hawk

January 23rd, 2011
10:36 am

How do you not play Teague in a blowout game, Larry?

Fundamentals

January 23rd, 2011
10:37 am

I realize Sund and ASG dictate player moves and I realize the players in question don’t show a demand for major minutes. My point is they deserve a chance to develop or a definite plan for how to get there. They are role players. What is their role? At this point of the season LD should be able to know how they fit to clearly define that role. To me the frustration comes from a lack in communication.

KevinM

January 23rd, 2011
10:38 am

Congrats to the Hawks for their rebound last night. If anyone needed a game to redeem themselves, it was the core. They hit their 2nd half shots and took Charlotte and the crowd out of the game.
Was MJ at the game last night? I didnt’ see the whole game, but he sure has been quiet lately. Has he been a success as an owner so far?

DMB, remember who our basketball expert, BK, brought in for pre-draft workouts in 2006? Randy Foye and Rondo….this link here says that Shell was going to be up close as well, but I thought we drafted Shell without any visit.

http://hotlantahawks.com/2006/06/predraft-report.html

How about real laugh looking back? Guess who NBAdraft.net compared Rondo to one week before the draft? Our very own Mooooooooooooooookie!
And Rondo was a teammate of Smoove at Oak Hill….

BK would probably still be here had he made the right decision and Woody would have actually developed a PG while he was here. So far, Woody and LD aren’t interested in developing a PG.

ILL-Logical

January 23rd, 2011
10:38 am

Three BIG questions are now looming for the Hawks:

1. What was the “conduct detrimental to the team” that caused Josh Powell’s suspension? Here is a guy that has been as even keeled as any player on the team and has played,albit sparingly, on a team with some of the biggest prima donnas in sports. What set him off and why ; because there could be some deeper issues about to surface.
2. Why does Joe continue to get a pass on his less than stellar play like last night’s botching of a 3 on 1 fast break with a lazy ,ill timed pass, followed by a lazy pass under the basket when he couldn’t get his shot off? The return of iso Joe seems to timed more to influence an All Star selection than team goals(?)
3. Is coach Larry Drew morphing into the former Head Coach with his return to iso Joe; the Acie Law-ization of Jeff Teague and the lack of restraining Josh Smith’s jump shooting foray’s? We now know as a matter of fact that the ASG is seriously lacking in credibility; is LD trapped between a rock and a hard place with respect winning with a disfunctional management group that has assembled a poorly structured, albeit talented, team?

Fundamentals

January 23rd, 2011
10:39 am

What are the exact rules for waiving a player? If they were released, how does it affect us in picking up replacements before Feb 24th?

I just hate to see kids who don’t fit, missing their chance while other players who do fit get dealt.

steve brown

January 23rd, 2011
11:08 am

Get off Joe Johnson-we are lucky to have him, get off Drew-no way our record could be any better at this point, get on Teague-the kid just isn’t a player, get on Evans-he needs to shut up and show he can play because he hasn’t shown S–t.

terrell

January 23rd, 2011
11:14 am

Youm mean the Hawks win without Horford. We always win without Marvin and Powell. Wtf?

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
11:27 am

“How do you not play Teague in a blowout game, Larry?”
——————————
I wouldn’t call last night’s game a blowout, a team like Charlotte has owned us 10 straight times on their court. Captain Jack, Wallace and Augustin together can make 10 pts disappear on three consecutive plays in 1 minute. Especially, if you gamble and put Turnover – Teague in there. Stranger things have happened.

The Philadelphia Eagles scored 3 improbable touchdowns in 7:23 angainst The Giants and knocked a 10 win team out of play-off contention in those 7 minutes.
Because the winning team, relaxed and was already in the parking lot before the game had ended.
______________________

Reggie Miller deafeated The Knicks and Spike Lee with what? 13 pts in 13 seconds? (my stats aren’t accurate, but you get the point)

After the NOH loss and the manner of it? IDK if I would trust Teague, last night either. Yall, really need to get off that Teague bandwagon, what do we really, really know about all that anyway? Trust, that the Coach would cut off his left arm, before he would deliberately stop Teague from being a Star! What Coach does not give his team the best chance to win?

Do you really believe Drew is trying to lose games and hurt his team from winning regular and hopefully post season games? Really?
_________________________

Where is the Logic?

terrell

January 23rd, 2011
11:32 am

Damn! Hornets beat the Spurs by 20+

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
11:51 am

Arm Chair – Monday Morning Quarter Backs!

Steve Brown, the stands are filled with over weight, ball headed, beer drinking “Know – it – Alls!” Most of these fans have never even dribbled a Basketball, and If they have? Apparently, they very good at it, or perhaps they would have played in the NBA.

There are a lot of base-less opinions about Teague and Joe on this blog, not to mention ungrateful people who don’t remember the 13 Win seasons and never bothered to look in the rafters at home games to see:

The Hawks are NOT some storied franchise. The arrogance of it all is beyond my comprehension. Of course, I want us to win a Championship? Who doesn’t?
However, The Hawks are NOT built to win it all! Coach Drew is playing a flawed hand, he does NOT have all the ingredients to win it all!

Yall know damned well, what we NEED! And, that we are lacking!
Teague and JC2 are NOT gonna’ answer some bell and take us to any promised land! Get Real! We NEED a dominant SIZED Center to battle the contenders (Boston and Lakers), and we NEED a true effective PG!

Until then? Chill out and enjoy what we got, get off Drews’ back!
See Sund and the Law Suit Happy ASKG!

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
12:04 pm

I personally don’t believe that Drew has not errored – “To Error is Human” says the Good Book! I have never personally bashed the Coach nor the players and I for one, NEVER will. But, I will criticize decisions and bad plays made by the team. There is a fundamental difference in that approach from name calling and out right personal attacks. I will NEVER wish a man to be fired, that is not my role as a fan. These people have feelings too.

Proper blame has to be placed on the behavior of the Owners, GM first and foremost. If the product has been supplied with everything it needs to be successful, then I will begin to blame them as well. Until then, can’t you all agree? The Team has got needs? And, they have NOT been met?

cp

January 23rd, 2011
12:13 pm

Great post ken at 8:55. I said a few weeks ago that it seems like LD is trying to win as many games as possible just like Woodrow did last season. With Teague I honestly just dont know. When guys were hurt and he got pt he started to play better. That Boston game had everybody pumped with his performance. He followed that up with a few more solid games. Then some guys come back and his pt gets cut again and a few more DNP’s. At times he shows flashes and at others he still looks raw. Only time will tell with this situation

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
12:27 pm

cp

Nice post. I agree Teague is still very intriguing. I have not given up on him yet.
His time will come, he has to stay humble and ready, the fans have to be a little more patient.

We may not agree with everything Woodson and Drew does/did/do, but I think they did the best to their abilities. That’s all anyone can really do, really.

You can’t win without great players, there is a lot of talent in the NBA.
The best in the whole wide world, actually. It’s not as easy as college, only 30-60 college players are drafted from hundreds/thousands?

Michael Cunningham

January 23rd, 2011
12:51 pm

@ Rev in Tampa: “I have been after MC to ask Drew the following question, “What will Teague have to be able to do to earn 20+ minutes a game?””

perhaps you missed it, this topic was covered at length here: http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/12/28/atlanta-hawks-on-drew-and-teague/

if you saw that post and still have the same question, i don’t know what i can tell you. as you can see, i am also confused by Drew’s explanations re: Teague’s lack of consistent burn and for some of the same reasons as my blog people. but all i can do is ask the questions.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
1:09 pm

what do all the teague supporters see in teague? i see no potential in him whatsoever, he has no sense of basketball IQ

rusty

January 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm

Let’s get real.he let’s mo play when he plays like crap. Teague has looked good at times , can play defense can penetrate, there is absolutely no reason to not giving him at least 15 min a game. The way he is being used is just hurting him,ditto for jc2. A lot of other teams are using there rookies & getting use out of them. We are just so stupid. The thinking of drmaryb & nortcyde are retarded. It seems jj gets unfair favoritism,I love when he plays well but often he plays like crap & never is really called out for it.

rusty

January 23rd, 2011
1:19 pm

Drmaryb. Teagues time will never come the way we are using him

Rev in Tampa

January 23rd, 2011
1:20 pm

MC,

Thanks for the reply. I read the prior blog post at the time. I really appreciated that you hounded Coach Drew for an answer. The reason I posed the question again was to see if Coach Drew can be more speciific. His answer the last time you asked was confusing at best. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I thought he might be trying to figure out how best use Teague, but now I am convinced that Drew has formed a definite opinion of Teague and has opted to leave him on the bench.

I would hope that he has spoken directly to Teague about why he has not earned any more playing than he has, but who knows?

It is obvious that Bibby cannot be the long or short term answer for the Hawks if they plan on making it past the second round of the playoffs so something must be done. Is it Teague or is it something else? The trade deadline is looming.

DeepDiver

January 23rd, 2011
1:21 pm

ILL-logical — your post certainly lives up to your handle. Joe Johnson won the game last night and you want to nitpick about two plays…

brigadierjerry

January 23rd, 2011
1:28 pm

I think if drew thought he could play him he would. Drew is trying to get wins. I think you either a point guard that can play or not. I havent seen any flashes in him other he can pressure the ball. He doesnt have a great jump shot and isnt a good passer. I see him being a backup at best.

Rev in Tampa

January 23rd, 2011
1:33 pm

ATL FAN,

In my mind, Teague has not unseated Bibby from the starting role, nor has he played well when he is in the game with Jamaal. He defers to Jamaal so why have him out there? It is reasonable, from that standpoint, that Teague is planted on the bench receiving more DNP’s than assists.

However, as we all know, defense wins in the playoffs. And Bibby/Jamaal are not assets on the defensive end of the floor. Furthermore, speed don’t slump. If Teague is able to keep the opposing pg from driving into the lane at will simply because he is quick as a cat, then I don’t care so much about his offense.

We all witnessed that Teague’s got some talent going back the the Boston game, but after he played so well he was relegated to the bench where he has been planted ever since.

All the talk about Teague is not because we are Teague grouppies, rather it is because we know that the point guard position is a major weakness waiting to be exploited. WE WANT ANSWERS. Our frustration is fueled by Coach Drew’s equivocation.

Worldwide Clyde

January 23rd, 2011
1:35 pm

“BK would probably still be here had he made the right decision and Woody would have actually developed a PG while he was here. So far, Woody and LD aren’t interested in developing a PG.”

That means next year when Bibby’s contract expires we will probably have to give him another one.

Ken Strickland

January 23rd, 2011
2:00 pm

Last yr, we lost a total of14 gms to injuries, while this yr we’ve lost a total of 40gms to injuries, and it’s only mid season. Yet, we’re only 1gm behind last yrs won/loss total. Why are we having so much more success winning on the road, and in back to back gms, than in previous yrs? Well, a lot of it has to do with us having an actual half court OFF, which really makes a difference on the road in closed gms. Our success in back to backs is likely due to players, especially our top 6 players, not having to manage their energy levels during gms due to being fatigued from being required to play too many mins.

In the past, we had major difficulty even competing against Orlando. Now we’ve improved enough to not only be competitive against them, but lead them 2-1 in this yrs series, with a win in Orlando. To be able to consistently win closely contested gms on the road will make us stronger and help prepare us for the playoffs. This yr we’re scoring fewer pts in the paint, and it’s due to us running less. With a far more productive halfcourt OFF system, we’re getting more open scoring opportunities in our half court OFF, which will also serve us well come playoff time. We only need to work harder on our half court DEF.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
2:17 pm

@ drmaryb . . . your posts this morning, I couldn’t have said it better. Those posts were crystal clear, full of insight, without emotion, and simply brilliant.

People just want to hold out hope for the kid. The fact is that he just hasn’t siezed the moment enough to have the coach trust him.

I remember something significant Josh Smith said in preseason, when Teague was out with injury, and Jordan Crawford had to play PG. He said that Jordan was in practice, barking out orders to people while he was playing PG .

In other words, Jordan was trying to lead.

Jordan even had a preseason game, playing mainly with non-NBA scrubs, in which he scored 30 pts – 5 rebs – 5 asssts.

Now we all know that Jordan isn’t a PG. But in preseason, he immediately impressed some of the vets on this team, with his tenacity and fearlessness.

It’s amazing that people are still backing Teague, and questioning Drew . . when it was Drew himself who added one of the most aggressive PGs in the past 20 years in the NBA ( Nick Van Exel ), to bring out Teague’s “inner dog” . . and hired Lester Conner, a journeyman PG who was best known for his defense . . to be part of his coaching staff.

And t still hasn’t worked.

But people still want to blame the coach?

And the other fallacity that this blog kicks around, is that they ( as fans ) are willing to go through the “growing pains” of seeing then young guys and the bench develop, even if it means losing games.

But when we were 8 – 7, and Drew was playing people like Powell and Teague at least 15 minutes a game, people were flat out freaking out around here.

It wasn’t until Drew shortened the rotation, that we actually starting winning a little more. Then when JJ finally got back on track, we’ve really kicked it up a notch.

Instead of blaming the coach, these fans need to get on these players who are not playing, to PLAY BETTER. LOL @ Powell whining about PT. Let me go into “stat mode” right quick.

O'Brien

January 23rd, 2011
2:19 pm

“Why does Joe continue to get a pass on his less than stellar play like last night’s botching of a 3 on 1 fast break with a lazy ,ill timed pass, followed by a lazy pass under the basket when he couldn’t get his shot off? The return of iso Joe seems to timed more to influence an All Star selection than team goals(?)” ILL-Logical .

C’mon Man!

Does he make some bad plays at times? Sure. But JJ is averaging 25 pts, 5 assists and 4 rebounds per game in January.

All Star goal or not, don’t you think the Hawks are happy that he is playing at an all-star level, even if there is more ISOs mixed in?

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
2:21 pm

LD owes “us” no explanations whatsoever.
“us” meaning we on this board, the media, the fans, whomever.
His job is to Coach -his- team. Communicate with -his- players.
I feel certain young Mr Teague knows the deal.
In my humble opinion, Mike Bibby is playing -Lights Out-!
MB is playin’ the best I’ve seen him play since he’s been a hawk.
Think about it, gid rid of your negative bias, how many pg’s are
playing better than Mike Bibby right now. People want to trade for
this ‘n that, b ut in most cases it’d be a step down.
It’s time to quit worrying about Teague and get happy about ‘Mike’!

O'Brien

January 23rd, 2011
2:41 pm

“You show me a young PG that fails in the NBA, and I’ll show you a guy that is not a leader.” Northcyde .

Mateen Cleaves from Michigan State is one guy that comes to mind.

But I do share similar concerns about Teague’s leadership. I remember during summer league when Teague said he would just give up the ball to somebody else, because that’s what he would do during the regular season anyway.

And that’s not what you want to hear from a guy who is supposed to be a PG and a team leader in the making.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
2:44 pm

I posted this last week about Teague, and what the opposing PG was doing while he was in the game. Those stats were based up to Jan 6th. The update is up till Jan 19th, and doesn’t include the New Orleans game.

Unfortunately for Teague, the defensive numbers are getting worse.

These are based on a per 48 minute basis:

PPG: 24.2
REB: 5.3
AST: 9.5
TOs: 3.2

eFG%: 54.1
PER: 22.4

This is the defensive stopper PG that people want taking PT away from Bibby. But maybe this is inaccurate. If Synergy tracks defense like they do offense, maybe MC can show how Teague’s defense is an asset to the Hawks.

Just because Bibby’s defense is a D- ( which it isn’t, but people act like it is ), it doesn’t means that a C- defender should take minutes from him . . especially if the D- defender is a B offensive player, and the C- defender, is also a C- offensive player . . and the D- defender has B leadership abilites, while the other guy rates as a F.

And I was generous in rating Teague ahead of Bibby defensively, even though Teague’s opponents stats are close to the WORST in the league, if not THE worst.

And these numbers might even be worse, because the New Orleans game isn’t added onto this.

O'Brien

January 23rd, 2011
2:46 pm

* To clarify, Mateen Cleaves failed in the NBA, although he was a very good leader who led his college team to a title.

rusty

January 23rd, 2011
3:00 pm

Nortcyde you know what you can do with your stupid stats. Any one that isn’t blind knows that teague is a hell of a better defensive player than mb

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
3:11 pm

I don’t see any reason for us to prove That Teaguer is bad.
Personally, I like the kid. What we need to do is have faith
in LD to do his job. He may use stats, practice evaluation,
intuition, or he may just have an eye for what he wants.
nonetheless he has chosen to handle Jeff in this manner.
LD has shown to this point to be more than competent.
He appears to have the ear of the ones who count, from Joe
on down. I for one am very pleased with the team. I only wish
for Rick Sund to do his job and reinforce the troops.

I forgot to mention this in my earlier post:
When handling the players LD has no obligation to play anyone.
The players are being paid regardless. He’s the Coach, they report
for work and then follow his instructions. If he says go in the game,
they should be prepared and give their best effort…period.
Case in point; Doc Rivers/Nate Robinson – Nate didn’t play for
two or three hundred games [obvious exaggeration] then ‘Doc’ chose to put him in during the play-offs and Nate was ready plus he excelled.
-So there you go-

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm

Josh Powell . . do you know why you don’t play, despite being suprisingly decent offensively.

IT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE A TURNOVER MACHINE!

You average a whopping 3.1 turnovers per 36 minutes. That ranks you NEXT TO LAST on the Hawks, with only Jordan Crawford having more turnovers per 36 minutes ( 3.3 )

As much as people complain about Josh Smith and his turnovers, he averages 2.8 TOs per 36 minutes ( the same as Jeff Teague, by the way ). But you average even more TOs than they do . . and they handle the ball MUCH MORE.

On a per 48 minute basis, you have a PER of 9.5 while playing PF.

Let me list that again

A 9.5 PER

One more Mr. Powell. And this is the ultimate nail in your coffin.

Unfortunately ( going into the New Orleans game ), you earned the “honor” of having the WORST +/- ratio ( -95 ) of any Atlanta Hawk. The next closest Hawk, to some people’s surprise, is Damien Wilkins, whom in his short time as a Hawk, has posted a ( -44 ).

That’s why you don’t play dude. Making 15 foot jumpers are great. But if your presence on the floor tends to make the team worse because you play bad in other areas, then we can’t have you out on the floor.

Stop crying and be happy that you’re even getting a NBA paycheck, seeing that people weren’t exactly beating down your door this summer to obtain your services.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm

I still say the problem with Teague is LD, not Teague. If he got in people’s faces, LD would probably freak! I remember when Woody told Bibby “tell Josh to quit going in the corner”, and Bibby yelled at Woody “you tell Josh to quit going in the corner”!

Bibby is not playing the best I’ve seen him play since he was a Hawks. When he first got here, he still had some of that fearless paneche that he is known for. He is shooting treys’ better,and that’s about it.

Raymond Felton under Larry Brown, LD’s mentor, a bust according to some. In NY, a star.

Now Jordan is an alpha dog, who can play PG. He’s not as talented as Teague. Hope we don’t kill him also.

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
3:20 pm

Concerning Teague on Defense as opposed to Bibby.
[for you Rusty]

Lawyer Malloy:
on young players coming into the NFL & trying to take his job.

“These young guys are fast which means that they can get to the
wrong place alot faster”!

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
3:26 pm

Here is the quote from wikepedia about Larry Brown, LD and Woody’s mentor:

“Despite Brown’s prowess in coaching and handling different egos and personalities, Brown has often been questioned for not playing rookies. He is also known for being hard on his point guards.”

End of story. I bet LD still thinks of Teague as “Rook”. The question is not whether Teague has very good NBA talent. He does. The question is will Larry Brown’s protoge’ (a former PG) LD (a fromer PG) kill him before he blooms. It’s the coaching tradition. LD comes by it honest. But he kills PG’s, and occasionally makes some of them.

smithy

January 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm

I too am worried about LD lack of playing for the bench players and lack of development of young players. When March/April arrive and the shretch run begins, this will be the time when the above mentioned groups pay their most dividends.
The bench rotation has not been defined. Usually, during the first half of the season, there’s a 9 to10 player rotation and as the playoff run begins the roles are defined. Unfortunately, with the Hawks only ZaZa and Jamal are clear.
Powell was brought in the sodilify the bench defender/rebounder position along his championship experience and Teague was supposed to be a rising PG and defend against Rondo or Jameer. Neither is true.
My point is simply if Powell, Teague, MO, Marvin, and/or Jamal are not essential pieces to get to the ECF and more then all should be considered for trade before the deadline. What is the point if we are not capable of moving beyond the 2nd round. Jamal, the most desirer player, is not going to resign because of a host of reasons. If Teague is not seen as the answer at PG or a even contributor, now is the time to package him, Jamal, and # 1 pick for a solid PG and another big.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm

Fickle!

If a Coach answers to The Fickle Fan? What does that make him?
You guessed right! FICKLE
_____________________

Just take a fickle sample from this very concentrated bog: we have 100 varying opinions about one topic, not excluding the one TROLL who’s got 17 varying opinions running around in his head. Or is it a 7 headed monster with 10 opinions each?
______________________

NorthCyde, Thank You! It was actually your phenomenal post last night that got me fired up and going this morning. You hit the Teague nail with a sledge hammer re: being a natural born Leader at that PG position on an already successful play off team. Teague should drop to his knees and thank God, he wasn’t drafted by Minnesota or The Clippers.

I struggled to remember that significant Josh Smith quote from training camp, where he said Jordan was barking at veterans and directing the offense.
I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Jordan getting some PG opportunity over Teague at this point. 30 pts, 5 assists and 5 rebs is simply outstanding for any player, much less a rookie. Jordan always shows up and does something spectacular when his “nimber” is called! Like Jimmy Carter said, “55 Saves Lives!”
_______________________

Keep it coming NorthCyde!

oldtimer

January 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm

I must agree with Northcyde on one of his points. I am one of those people who is not willing to lose just so a player (Teague in this instance) gains experience.

People blast Woody for not playing rookies. But then they never mention that Al Horford played from Day 1 and Woody respected him.

You either can ball or you can’t. Teague is at this point a marginal player on a team that seems able to win at least 50 games. It is very difficult to let a player like that learn how to play while we are competing tooth and nail for playoff positioning.

This is a business. The fans will get very upset if Hawks lose just because Teague needs to get experience. What I have seen other than flashes from Teague, so far is that he turns the ball over, does not necessarily play good position defense, and can not pass well. I am not even talking about shooting. The only thing he brings is pure speed, but you need more than that. You need to make the team flow as a point guard, and Teague does not seem able to do that.

So he sits and sits. The blame is with Sund that drafted a player that does not at all seem ready for NBA

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
3:35 pm

Grandad . . I actually agree with you about Drew. What was killing me about him early on, is that he was rewarding guys like Josh Powell for making shots, even if the game was slowly getting out of reach. And Al Horford, unbelievably, was the main one suffering for it.

It wasn’t until Drew came to his senses, and started pulling guys at set times ( regardless of how well they were playing ), that we transformed from a schiophrenic .500 team, to a squad winning at almost a .700 winning percentage since the 8 – 7 start.

The more Drew has opted to play Horford at PF, the more dangerous this team has become. He still has to play the majority of his minutes at center, but his production at PF has been outstanding. People should be praising Drew, instead of trying to find reasons to fault him.

Those same “stupid stats” that Rusty doesn’t like, can be shown to show just how well Horford is playing.

Once again . . this is what the opposing PF is doing vs Horford on a per 48 minute basis:

PPG: 17.8
REB: 10.8

eFG%: .438
PER: 12.0

That’s better that what Josh Smith does against the opposing PF, although Smith’s worth is what he does all-around defensively for the team, rather than just on his man.

This team might be scary good, if we had a legit center ( Shaq ) to throw into the lineup, because his defensive numbers are great this year. And he’s still a legit threat offensively that is still virtually unstoppable when he gets the ball around the rim.

But those defensive numbers at PF by Horford are damn impressive, considering that he also has to guard PGs on occasion off of a switch.

But numbers lie though . . don’t they Rusty?

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
4:14 pm

brigadierjerry

Great posts today! I enjoyed your passion and thoughtful insights all the way around. Please keep the conversation coming.
________________________

Grand-Daddy

You know I love your comments as usual, factual and logical. Absolutely, fantastic. How are you and How did the 2nd procedure go on last Thursday?
I read your comments last Thursday, so I knew you were still kicking up dust.
_________________________

The past two days, the blog has been quite delightful and peaceful.
Very informative to say the very least. Keep it coming fellas!
And, they want to know why beautiful young women LOVE older, established and intelligent men, versus boys and thugs! Older men know how to treat women.
______________

-smiles-

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
4:16 pm

@ drmaryb

The Josh Smith quote I’m talking about, came after the Detroit preseason loss.

Look at what Josh says about Jordan trying to take command, and see if any Hawk has EVER said that about Teague.

If they have, I don’t remember it.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
4:44 pm

NorthCyde

Thanks for that link, I just went there and re-read that article. Great job by MC to re-cap that game and provide that insight. Josh has been quite the vocal and emotional leader on this team, by far.

With that 3 point jumper working, and interior defense, NorthCyde, doesn’t Josh remind you of a smaller Rasheed Wallace? Without the technical fouls, of course. I would venture to say, he does a lot more than Sheed did, with all the intangibles and stats-sheet filling plays.

Of all the players, wouldn’t you also say Josh has benefited the most from the :
Respect The Game technical fouls rule, that has waned as of late?
The refs were calling them like crazy earlier in the season.

I didn’t see that flagrant 2 foul that got Jason ejected against NOH.
Do you have a link for that play? IDK how to look that up on my own.
In advance, thank you for your time and any consideration in regards to that play. We need a clothes liner on our team. Go Jason Go!

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
5:09 pm

And, Jeff had even less to say. Nothing useful in any of that. Everybody is just tired of saying the same things about the same thing. I agree with Jeff in that regards.

Oh well then.

Trojan

January 23rd, 2011
5:29 pm

I agree that you should not lose a game to let a player gain experience. I am suggesting that a player who needs experience might gain some experience when a team is up by 16 with a minute to go. I say and I say loudly, it will not benefit our team for Bibby to play any minutes that he does not need to play. Remember how he was worn out at the end of last year.

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
5:31 pm

Well Jeff, as Sarah Palin would say;
feel free to “refudiate” any of my remarks.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed your 4 seconds on the blog.
I’m looking forward to your new book:
“Pessimism or Pissonimism = The True Path to a Championship”
by Jeff

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
5:33 pm

I wonder if we’re one of Nene’s three teams?
The hated “Heatles” are one.
We cannot let that happen!…..Sund!

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
5:35 pm

Mary Ellen;
left a message…hope I didn’t use the wrong #.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
5:48 pm

Teague definitely needs to put on some weight this offseason in order to compete with the elite point guards of this league if this organization thinks he is the answer. If not, trade him and use our draft pick to pick another PG. As other people have said, this time draft someone who knows how to lead a team. Rondo was the 21st pick in the draft, and took a couple of years to develop. Trade Teague and Marvin for an aging PG such as Steve Nash that can fill that role for a couple of years, then hand it over the leadership role to the draft pick.

Big Ump

January 23rd, 2011
5:49 pm

Grandad

That was a great post at 3:11pm. I can tell you were a coach.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
5:53 pm

Grandad,

The issue isn’t simply not playing Teague, it’s developing him. Nate was already a developed player when he was called up to the spotlight. Teague, however, continues to get low minutes. If he is indeed the future, it IS LD’s responsibility to play him, even if that means giving up a few wins.

george

January 23rd, 2011
6:35 pm

Atl Fan, I agree with you, but because of Marvin’s performance. It will probably take Teague and 1st round pick to part with Marvin. What I don’t understand about Sund is Point Guards are much harder to found/get than SFs. So why wont he accept the fact that Jamal, 1st pick, and Teague exspendable pieces to get a team changing PG.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
6:42 pm

No decent NBA Coach would let an unlicensed, uninsured motorist drive a 68M Bentley! And, let him crash it a couple of times! Are you kidding me?

Coaches are paid and retained for winning NOT losing. Losing games on purpose is never an option. That’s the fastest way to get fired. Where do these people come from?

Again, for the one thousandth time:
The NBA is not a developmental league for basic fundamental skills.
This is a business. College and the NBDL is where you learn fundamentals, on your time. Has anyone ever heard where Teague hired a personal coach, or worked on his game in the off season? Please post that link? Does Teague work in the gym till midnight or show up 4 hours before game time like MJ did and Ray Allen does to improve his skills? Ray Allen does shows up 4 hours before every game to practice his jumper and he has already won a ring and has 13 + years of success in this League!

Teague can give himself all the minutes his heart desires.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 23rd, 2011
6:46 pm

“Just because Bibby’s defense is a D- ( which it isn’t, but people act like it is ), it doesn’t means that a C- defender should take minutes from him . . especially if the D- defender is a B offensive player, and the C- defender, is also a C- offensive player . . and the D- defender has B leadership abilites, while the other guy rates as a F.”

Nothing wrong with your general argument here, but seriously, if you think Bibby is any better than a D- defender I don’t know what games you have been watching. The entire team has to compensate for his inability to stay in front of his man. Pretty much every open shot the Bobcats got yesterday was because Bibby couldn’t stay in front of his man and the rest of the team had to rotate. I’ll give him this: he’s a smart guy and makes the most of his limited physical abilities with his basketball IQ, but that isn’t nearly enough to make him even average as a defender.

That leads me to my next point: Rusty may be going to far calling all stats “stupid”, but there is a point to be made about judging a guy’s defense solely based on the stats his counterpart puts up. Defense is such a team concept that you can only achieve accuracy to a certain degree when you look at it as a one on one thing. Just saying Teague gives up a certain PER to opposing point guards or Horford gives up certain numbers to opposing PFs doesn’t take into account what kind of defense the team is playing, who else is on the floor for whom a player may have to compensate, whether opposing teams target a certain player or stay away from a certain player, etc. I haven’t checked the stats, but I would guess that the players on the Hawks who play more minutes with Smoove and Horford give up lower PERs to their counterparts, irrespective of their own defensive abilities.

With all that said, Teague is not good at going through screens, and teams tend to attack him with screens now when he comes on the floor. His inability to fight through screens cancels out the fact that he is a decent defender in isolation or in help defense.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
6:51 pm

drmaryb,

practicing is different than playing in an actual game. Sure Teague may not practice enough, but he does need the experience on the floor to get better, no matter how hard he practices…

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
6:53 pm

Grand-Daddy

My cellie phone died, it’s charging now. I will call you from the lan line now.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
7:13 pm

“practicing is different than playing in an actual game. Sure Teague may not practice enough, but he does need the experience on the floor to get better, no matter how hard he practices…”
____________________

Tell that to MJ and Ray Allen. Allen Iverson would definitely agree with your logic, but then again, what has Iverson won? I still maintain, the live game is not for practices. When your number is called, that means be ready to play, not practice.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
7:58 pm

“Sure Teague may not practice enough, but he does need the experience on the floor to get better, no matter how hard he practices…”
______________________

OK then, would you let a cardiologists practice open heart surgery on you, even if he left medical school 3 years early to go make money? Would you say, it’s OK if he loses a few patients, because he can only get better at his craft in the live operating room? Every life is precious, so is every game. Losing a game at the expense of getting better, doesn’t sound so logical, now does it?

If the ATL FAN signs up for that? Then he is a foolish man.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
7:58 pm

Najeh . . we can put what you say to the test. What you say is kinda right though, because both Bibby and Jamal have decent defensive numbers, mainly because the team covers for them so well.

But even with that, Teague shouldn’t be giving up that type of production to the opposing PG, if he was really a good defensive PG.

When people were complaining about Horford’s defense and taking shots at Marvin, I took the time to look at every team at their respective positions, to see if what was said was valid or not.

My findings showed that Horford was a good defensive center, but he gave up a high FG% on shots close to the rim, which was accurate last year. But he was a top 10 offensive center.

Those same stats showed Marvin to be an average defending SF and a below average offensive SF.

Both of those things were accurate last year.

All I’m doing right now, is watching the Jets – Steelers game. My lady is at work. So I’ll be in chill mode all night.

I’ll compile a list of PGs and what the opposing PG does against them. I’ll let you decide if the list is legit or not. I’ll post this later on tonight.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
8:17 pm

Matter of fact . . to be fair to Teague . . I’ll just do the backup PGs. No sense in comparing him to starters. I’ll just compare him to the backups.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
8:24 pm

* cardiologist
__________________

Good stuff Najeh, as always a keen perspective. Also, looking forward to NorthCyde PG research as well.

Later, got to recharge the B-berry.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm

First of all, losing a game and losing a life are two TOTALLY different things. Secondly, EVERY player has to adapt to the game by playing minutes, and only a few can be thrust into the spotlight and play well immediately, players like LeBron. Rajon Rondo was awful his first couple of seasons, but he played over 20 minutes a game because the Celtics had no other option. Luckily for us, we do have another option in Mike Bibby, but not playing Teague until we absolutely have to would end up hurting us. He’s not going to be ready, not because he didn’t practice, but because of lack of experience. By the way, I am not a Teague supporter. I don’t think he has what it takes to be a leader in this league, and whenever he does play he plays bad minutes for the Hawks. But if the Hawks do think he is our future, and not some other PG, its stupid that they aren’t playing him more.

rusty

January 23rd, 2011
8:37 pm

Yea folks no one is saying give the starting position to him but give him time to develop mb isn’t great off or def all of the time,give jt a chance to develop or trade him. Drmaryb tou named two guys who who practice like mad,both superstars,a man has to play to develop. You mentioned Nate
Who is ready to play when needed, this is a guy with a lot of game experience,unless we give jt & jc2 time they will never really develop . Other teams play there rookies who the hell are we to not give them time. They both have more talent than some of the guys ld plays.

STRETCH

January 23rd, 2011
8:42 pm

Nene is telling Denver that if they get rid of Melo or Billups that he would want a trade to 3 teams, one team is the Heat(of course) but we dont know the other two….GET ON THE PHONE SUND!!!

drmaryb (*_*)

January 23rd, 2011
8:51 pm

ATL FAN, rusty

You make strong and valid points. I hope JT does get some more PT as well, but, just not at the expense of losing live games. Of course, a life is not the same as a silly game.

It was an analogy used to make a point. Both a cardiologist and a basketball player are professionals. Unfortunately, basketball players make more money than a doctor. Both, hopefully perfect their crafts for the love of what they do and have passion to be the best at it.

A player makes millions to do their jobs, some patients pay millions to receive life-saving care. The fiscal values are comparable.

Great job though in making your arguments for Teague’s playing time.

Section 303

January 23rd, 2011
9:00 pm

Boys,

Got back from Charlotte this afternoon. Good trip. Good game. Bobcats have a nice arena. Would suggest to you guys to make that trip (about 3 and 1/2 hour drive). Hawks are now 1 and 0 when I see them play on the road.

Joe was outstanding last night. I think it was his best performance of the season, so far. Also, same could probably be said for Zaza.

The Bobcat arena (Time Warner Arena) was the 2nd of 3 new arenas I’m going to hit this year. I got to a game in Orlando when I was in town for the Capitol One Bowl. Going to see the Knicks/Pacers at MSG in March.

ATL FAN

January 23rd, 2011
9:05 pm

Way to represent Section 303. You do anything fun in Charlotte?

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
9:20 pm

Teague ( ATL ): PPG – 24.2 . . AST – 9.5 . . eFG% – .541 . . PER – 22.4

Robinson ( BOS ): PPG – 24.5 . . AST – 7.0 . . eFG% – .567 . . PER – 17.6

Livingston ( CHA ): PPG – 14.1 . . AST – 8.5 . . eFG% – .376 . . PER – 9.2

CJ Watson ( CHI ): PPG – 18.8 . . AST – 6.8 . . eFG% – .425 . . PER – 11.5

Sessions ( CLE ): PPG – 20.5 . . AST – 10.1 . eFG% – .529 . . PER – 17.9

Barea ( DAL ): PPG – 17.4 . . AST – 8.4 . . eFG% – .456 . . PER – 11.2

KevinM

January 23rd, 2011
9:21 pm

I gotta agree with alot of folks here; LD is here to win games. That should be his priority. Now, whether Teague fits the system is another question. Perhaps the shortened rotation hurts not only Teague, but the entire bench, but allows the team to be more consistent, minus the Hornets game.
You have the roster, you go with what you have…is it enough once you get to the playoffs? No one can be sure it is….that is what you get with this team.

O'Brien

January 23rd, 2011
9:32 pm

“Those same stats showed Marvin to be an average defending SF and a below average offensive SF.” northcyde .

I wonder what the numbers say about Marvin this year, because I think he is playing better compared to last year.

O'Brien

January 23rd, 2011
9:35 pm

From the latest ajc article;

“Jeff has to continue to try to get better when he gets opportunities, when he’s by himself [and] when we practice,” Jamal Crawford said. “He has a bright future. His time will come.”

“After Saturday night’s game, Teague said he and Drew hadn’t talked “in awhile” and wasn’t sure what was limiting his minutes.” Ken Sugiura .

I’m not sure what to make of the article and Jamal’s comments. is teague not playing well in practice?

And has LD really not talked to Teague “in a while”? Is it Nick’s (Van Exel) job?

And how come there were no comments from LD in the article?

Ken (Sugiura), was LD unavailable?

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
9:53 pm

Lawson ( DEN ): PPG – 19.4 . . AST – 8.9 . . eFG% – .489 . . PER – 14.2

Bynum ( DET ): PPG – 20.3 . . AST – 9.1 . . eFG% – .529 . PER – 16.8

Law ( GS ): PPG – 16.9 . . AST – 11.4 . . eFG% – .563 . . PER – 18.1

Brooks ( HOU ): PPG – 19.2 . . AST – 9.7 . . eFG% – .476 . . PER – 15.9

Ford ( IND ): PPG – 21.4 . . AST – 7.9 . . eFG% – .479 . . PER – 16.6

Bledsoe ( LAC ): PPG – 20.3 . . AST – 9.0 . . eFG% – .447 . . PER – 15.3

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
10:19 pm

Blake ( LAL ): PPG – 22.6 . . AST – 8.0 . . eFG% – .516 . . PER – 17.9

OJ Mayo ( MEM ): PPG – 23.8 . . AST – 6.0 . . eFG% – .558 . . PER – 18.4

Chalmers ( MIA ): PPG – 19.1 . . AST – 6.9 . . eFG% – .436 . . PER – 13.5

Dooling ( MIL ): PPG – 17.2 . . AST – 8.2 . . eFG% – .491 . . PER – 12.5

Telfair ( MIN ): PPG – 18.9 . . AST – 9.9 . . eFG% – .565 . . PER – 16.6

Farmar ( NJN ): PPG – 21.2 . . AST – 8.7 . . eFG% – .462 . . PER – 17.9

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
10:45 pm

Do Not Read If You Only Want To Argue W/O Any Game!

Mike Bibby plays defense with his head. Yes he gets help from
his teammates…..all good teams play help defense…..this is
the NBA and most players cannot guard the really good ones w/o
help. Naj is correct when he says Teaguer is weak fighting thru
screens…..But…..there is another factor [not B-ball IQ]….
experience and savvy. When Bibby gets beat and Al or Zaza, ….
whomever, hedge then Bibby does a nice job recovering to his man.
Rarely are we out of position due to Bibby’s defense and ensuing teammates help and recovery.
We should not overlook MB’s choreography on transition defense.
He is not only the lead guard on offense but defense as well.

There is a reason Mike Bibby is listed as the lead/point guard on
16 of the 1st 25 player combinations for the Hawks five man (+/-)
statistics. Jamal is listed on the other nine. Jeff is only listed
3 times on the 1st 25 combinations and only then at a position other than lead or pg.
He [Teague] is not even in our best 15 combinations.
Also he [Teague] is only ahead of Josh Powell for players
on the full-time roster.
*[Wilkins is low in a small sampling of min]
**[Etan is relatively high in a small sampling of min]

These stats are not perfect -But- heres what they prove:
Our best combination of players = Bibby,Jamal,Joe,Josh,Al
*That was by pos [1-5]
*Our next best player to add in to a combination with any four
of the above would be Collins:
Statistically proving what most of us knew.
Thereby also proving Jamal is the best option @ back-up pg.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
10:51 pm

Jack ( NO ): PPG – 15.9 . . AST – 7.6 . . eFG% – .464 . . PER – 12.6

Douglas ( NYK ): PPG – 22.7 . . AST – 8.1 . . eFG% – .469 . . PER – 16.1

Maynor ( OKC ): PPG – 20.2 . . AST – 7.9 . . eFG% – .463 . . PER – 14.5

Duhon ( ORL ): PPG – 18.4 . . AST – 7.9 . . eFG% – .432 . . PER – 13.5

L. Williams ( PHI ): PPG- 19.0 . . AST – 8.9 . . eFG% – .410 . . PER – 13.0

Dragic ( PHO ): PPG – 17.5 . . AST – 10.1 . . eFG% – .482 . . PER – 15.1

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
10:57 pm

Grandad . . exactly.

I mean . . people can complain about Bibby and his lack of defense all they want. But he serves the same purpose on offense, that Collins serves on defense ( when we play low post scoring centers ).

If the team functions better with Bibby in the lineup, regardless of his deficiencies, it’s not like we can reduce his minutes.

And because Jamal can also play the point ( even if it’s more of a scoring PG ), he’s a better option as well over Teague.

If we didn’t have either one of those guys, Drew would be forced to play Teague, because we wouldn’t have any other PG.

So I guess people need to hope that Bibby or Jamal gets hurt . . or one of them gets traded for someone other than another PG . . if they want to see Teague play.

I got 6 more backup PGs to look up.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:20 pm

Northcyde – I’m a numbers guys, so keep them coming! I disagree with your conclusions, because I think that JT to get better has to play against Chris Paul, Rose, DeRon to get better defensively, because he’s not going to get better guarding Bibby in practice,or even Jamal or Jordan really.

And I like Jamal’s quote, that Teague has a bright future. More than many of you have been saying, and Jamal sees him everyday in practice. I respect Jamal’s opinion.

And wasn’t Raymond Felton considered a bust by some in Charlotte, being coached by LD’s mentor Larry Brown? Now he’s a star in NY.

LD’s mentor has this said about him on wikipedia, “Despite Brown’s prowess in coaching and handling different egos and personalities, Brown has often been questioned for not playing rookies. He is also known for being hard on his point guards.” LD and Woody inherited the same gene.

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
11:26 pm

Mills ( POR ): PPG – 17.6 . . AST – 8.0 . . eFG% – .379 . . PER – 9.7

Jeter ( SAC ): PPG – 19.3 . . AST – 10.4 . . eFG% – .455 . . PER – 16.2

Hill ( SA ): PPG – 19.0 . . AST – 9.1 . . eFG% – .453 . . PER – 14.3

Bayless ( TOR ): PPG – 21.1 . . AST – 10.2 . . eFG% – .479 . . PER – 17.6

Watson ( UTH ): PPG – 19.3 . . AST – 8.0 . . eFG% – .428 . . PER – 15.5

Hinrich ( WAS ): PPG – 20.3 . . AST – 8.4 . . eFG% – .500 . . PER – 15.7

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:27 pm

Drmaryb – Show you the link about Jeff Teague’s off season workout? Please read the article, here it is: Title: Jeff Teague first Hawks to arrive before training camp His rookie season 2009

“Anxious to get an early start, Teague came to town weeks ago, embarking upon a rigorous daily routine of weight-room and on-court work, mostly with Jarrett Jack, a former Georgia Tech star who is now a guard with the Toronto Raptors.

Teague was the first but certainly will not be the last Hawks or NBA player to take to the court in advance of training camp.

Dozens of players — Hawks, other NBA players and pros who play overseas — will flood the Hawks’ practice facility over the next two weeks trying to draft off each other in anticipation of their respective seasons.

For rookies such as Teague, though, it’s a unique experience on the eve of their first pro season.

“It’s almost like a boot camp for training camp,” he said after a recent morning workout that included several of his Hawks teammates as well as Jack, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse and others. “For me, it’s just good to get a chance to play with guys that have been in the league for a while. I know the level of intensity will rise with the start of training camp and everything. But just to be out here and see what the veterans do is good for me.”

Teague won’t have to wait until camp to play alongside and against Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Mo Evans, Randolph Morris and most of the Hawks’ other veterans. He’s already been on the floor with them at one time or another in these voluntary sessions.

“Everybody will come through here before we get started for camp,” Smith said. “That’s the same way we’ve done it every year since I’ve been in the league.”

It’s a tradition that veteran players insist began long before any of them started in the league and one they believe will be here long after they’re gone.

“Labor Day is the last weekend to eat well and drink well and indulge in whatever your vices may be,” said Anthony Johnson, a former Hawks point guard now with the Orlando Magic, who like many of the pros attending these sessions calls Atlanta home in some fashion during the offseason.

“Labor Day is the cutoff, when you know have to kill the sweets and the fried foods and get yourself focused for what will hopefully be a long [NBA] season.”

The mere notion that NBA players have an “offseason” is laughable to Jack, an acknowledged gym rat long before he moved from the Flats to the NBA.

“To each his own,” Jack said. “I think for the most part, guys just can’t stay away from it for too long. Guys have their own routines that they do. Me personally, I’m in the gym all the time. I just love to play.”
I

Ken Strickland

January 23rd, 2011
11:29 pm

It appears to me that like Woodson, Drew talks DEF, but he knew all along he intended to rely primarily on his OFF system. The big difference is he actually has an OFF system to rely on, particularly a very effective half court OFF. There’s no way on earth a HC can rely primarily on MBibby as his starting PG and be serious about putting DEF 1st..

When the ASG purchased the Hawks and hired GM BKnight, the gm plan was to build through the draft and develop our young draft picks. Out of neccesity, Woodson was forced to play Smoove, Childress, Marvin and Horford. But when it comes to playing and developing young guards, especially on a 50+ win team, there seems to be a big problem. This current turn events with Teague and JoCrawford leads me to believe we’re not going to make any trades this season.

With LDrew’s current attitude towards JoCrawford and JTeague, I question whether we’ll trade Jamal or Bibby if we have to depend on either to replace him. I can see a possible sign and trade of Jamal after the season though. I hope the trade with the Nuggets and Nets take place, because it would free up PG DHarris. He’s someone the Hawks could definitely use, and if they’re interested is in expiring contracts, Jamal and his expiring contract would definitely do the trick.

However, despite all of our PG issues and various complaints, we’re actually doing pretty darned good, considering the injuries and difficult schedule. We have 23 back to backs scheduled for the season, and at the half way point we’ve already played 15 of them. Unlike the start of the season, after the Allstar break we’ll start the 2nd half with a much better understading of what we have, what works, hopefully fewer injuries, and a much easier schedule. We’re going to put a lot of pressure on a lot of teams for a top 3 seed.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:33 pm

Teague at the combine – I know, this doesn’t measure heart, but he’s got plenty of that if you saw him at Wake: “Jeff Teague only has 4.5% body fat and repped 13 on the bench, both impressive numbers for the underclassmen. He also recorded a 36.5” vertical leap.”

6-10 225 Forward Earl Clark, drafted well ahead of Teague, only repped 5 times to give you an idea of how strong Teague is.

ILL-Logical

January 23rd, 2011
11:35 pm

For the last three years the position of starting point guard for the Atlanta Hawks most stringent requirement has been the ability to make a jump shot consistently.

Grandad

January 23rd, 2011
11:37 pm

Teague will be pkged with Marv prior to Tr deadline.
Someone said it earlier and I agree.
“To make Marv more attractive”
We have a -real- chance to make some -real- noise this yr.
Folks are starting to take notice.
If Sund does not get us an inside presence then he should
go to the old folks home and eat his grape-nuts.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:42 pm

Teague’s off season work this past summer:”He’s also changed his body, staying in Atlanta this summer and hitting the weight room. He said he’s up to 186 after being listed at 180 last season.

“I think my legs are a lot stronger,” he said. “That’s what I’ve really been working on. For defensive purposes [because] I was coming out of my stance a lot.”

Teague also has been working on his jump shot with assistant Lester Conner in an effort to shore up a weakness in his game.

“That is really going to help me out there,” he said. “I’ve been making a lot of threes.”

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:44 pm

Teague also played in Summer League ball this past summer. 1st at camp as a rookie. Obsessed with improving his game. But on a team with a Larry Brown disciple who is tough on PG’s, and doesn’t play young players very much.

And the Horford analogy doesn’t work. Horford was a #3 pick. You don’t have to develop them nearly as much as #19 picks usually. And really, who did we have besides ZaZa in Al’s way?

northcyde

January 23rd, 2011
11:47 pm

Steve . . Felton was never a bust. If anything, he simply didn’t live up to expectations, like a Marvin. But neither of those players are busts.

Jamal isn’t going to throw Teague under the bus. He’s going to keep encouraging him to keep working on his game to get better. Some of our players gave Acie Law praise as well.

Somehow, Teague is going to have to become a leader out on the court. If he’s incapable of doing this, he’s not going to pan out in the NBA. And he won’t be the first talented college player to not pan out.

And he has to be able to lead, even when playing with Jamal. If he’s such a solid defensive player ( like many believe ), he can at least become the defensive leader of the 2nd unit, even if Jamal’ms dominance of the ball prevents him from being an offensive leader.

Those list of PGs, and what the opposing PG does against them, is simply there to give people an idea where Teague stacks up. And Najeh is right in that who you play with, can affect the output of the opposing PG.

But there are guys on that list ( Chalmers, Watson, Jack, etc ) are traditionally known to be good defensive PGs. It doesn’t matter who they play with, their man isn’t going to light them up.

Then on the flip side, you have guys like Nate Robinson, Blake, Telfair and Acie, whom have always been suspect on defense, no matter what team they play on.

People just need to understand which group of PGs that Teague is closer to. Then they need to realize how hard he needs to work in order to gain the trust in Drew, which will lead to more playing time.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:51 pm

Jordan Crawford shot 39.1% on 3’s his last season in college.

Jeff Teague shot 44.1% on 3’s his last year in college

Who’s a better jumpshooter? What games have ya’ll been watching?

And just because somebody’s a ball hog doesn’t mean he’s better. Jordan’s aggressiveness is also his weakness, a failure to look for teammates, and to force shots. And I’m a big Jordan Crawford fan.

Face it, we have a Larry Brown clone who kills PG’s who aren’t vets, plain and simple.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:53 pm

Northcyde – I was just referring to the fact that Felton had the “bust” label applied when on the FA circuit by some. I didn’t think he was either, he was just on a PG killer of a team coached by a PG killer, Larry Brown.

And Teague spent the offseason working on his defense, if you read the above article.

SteveW

January 23rd, 2011
11:58 pm

Northcyde – i just think the stats are skewed at this point. They throw Teague in against many times the starting PG on the opposing team, and before he can even measure up the guy, he’s made a mistake and yanked by LD.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:00 am

And you do have to admit Teague is keeping a good attitude about it all.

northcyde

January 24th, 2011
12:08 am

Steve . . Jordan is the better jumpshooter, because unlike Teague, he can rise up over people and shoot over them. He doesn’t need to be wide open, like Teague, to make a jumpshot.

But Jordan is going to have to become a more consistent shooter. Otherwise, he becomes the new Salim Stoudaire ( a guy who shot 50% FG and 50% 3FG in his Senior year in college . . but struggled to consitently make shots in the pros ).

It’s guys like Jordan, who can create their own shot, that usually make it in this league. A guy like Teague would have to either become a great finisher at the rim, or develop the floater ( which he has shot better this year ).

If you saw the Xavier vs Kansas St game in last year’s NCAA Tournament, there’s no way Teague could carry a team with the type of jumpshots that Jordan was making in that game. Go to youtube and watch highlights of that game, and tell me if Teague could do that.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:12 am

I mean if you don’t think Larry Brown held back Felton (look at the stats

Look at DJ Augustin. He was averaging 12.5 ppg and 6 apg before Larry Brown left. The next 2 games he goes for 27 and 28 points respectively, and then averages 18 ppg and 7.5 apg for 11 games in January. Kinda like Felton. And now everybody is in love with Augustin, but again, he had the dreaded “bust” label being bandied about being a lottery pick in ‘08 while Brown was there.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
12:13 am

Teague..

I am not asking for Teague to start, but he has got to worth 15min a night….if not, then trade him and admit you made another mistake by drafting him.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:19 am

Northcyde – I do agree that Jordan is more of a pure scorer, and that was why he was drafted. But if Teague did that, he would be slapped with the Josh label. Teague is trying to be developed as a 1, Jordan as a 2. So the need is different. We need Jordan to score at this level, especially if he’s destined to take Jamal’s spot next year. We need Teague to be a PG if he’s eventually to be the PG on a very good team.

And don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we’re holding Micheal Jordan hostage on the bench. Teague was a raw #19 pick. I’m not even saying Teague is better than Bibby. I’m just saying we are not developing Teague at all. And Jeff has shown initiative to improve by working hard in the offseason. I just have complaints about the Larry Brown school for young PG’s, of which Woody and LD are followers.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:39 am

I’ve been watching NBA basketball for 40 years or so. All of it as a Hawks fan, from the days of Lou Hudson and Walt Bellamy, Pistol Pete on down. I’ve had the privilege of playing alot of hoops, and head coaching on a small college level for a few years (3).

All I know is is that Jeff Teague is the best PG since Mookie potentially for the Hawks. He will not be better than Bibby was in his prime I don’t think, but the Hawks never had Bibby in his prime. If Bibby went down today, I would see Teague averaging:

9 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg, 1 bpg, and 1.5 spg in 30 mpg or so, with 3 to’s per game, or maybe slightly less on the to’s

With hard work, next season I could see 11.5, 5 apg, 4.5 rpg, a block and a steal and a 1/2, with maybe 2.5 to’s per game.

I could then see him becoming a 14, 15 ppg and 7 apg guy in the League for a few years, with above average defense. In other words, the best PG ATL has had since Mookie.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:49 am

Jeff Teague is a raw product. And every non-top 5 pick almost has to be developed. Even some top 5 picks. I mean look at LaMarcus Aldridge. A #2 pick in ‘06, who then averages 9 and 5 his 1st season. This is his first season in the All Star conversation. And he’s a #2 pick, not a #19 pick. You gotta develop these guys.

Look at the #1 pick in ‘05 Andrew Bogut – 9.4 and 7 his 1st season. Average .8 blocks per game his 1st season, .5 his second season, 2.7 this season. You gotta develop talent in this League with rare excetions!

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
12:55 am

Oops – “exceptions” not “exetions” as in the last post

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
1:03 am

I’m loving what I’m reading. Everyone is having so much educated and logical things to say today/tonight that I really don’t have much to say. On both sides of the argument regarding Teague, everyone is presenting their opinions and facts with them. This is why I love days after the Hawks win. Because you always get back to the true basketball lovers, not just the casual espn.com watcher who see “Hawks lose” and come try to say (under 5 screen names) whatever they heard a commentator say.

I will say Bibby is obviously better than Teague is. There’s nothing LD can do about it. The responsibility falls back on Sund. While Bibby is a better PG than Teague. Bibby does not provide the ability to facilitate, break down a defense with dribble penetration, or apply pressure on the defensive end. Those three things are more important than shooting 50% from beyond the arc, or not turning the ball over. Because while you’re not turning the ball over, you’re also not getting any assists. Bibby is the best PG on this team this millennium (never saw JT as a pg). But he’s still not the PG you need when trying to be competitive in the ECF. Penetration and Defense is the main two things in the playoffs that is needed.

Ken Strickland

January 24th, 2011
1:14 am

I think it’s asking a lot to expect a 2nd yr player, who’s HC doesn’t seem to have any faith in him, to take charge of players that MWoodson couldn’t, and to date, LDrew can’t seem to control to a large extent. LDrew’s words and approach to dealing with Teague is conflicting.

First, he says he wants him to use his speed and quickness to attack the basket with wreckless abandon, but he wants him to know when to attack. Then he turns around and uses his jumpshooting as an excuse for keeping him from doing what he says he wants him to do. He certainly doesn’t seem bothered that Bibby doesn’t attack anything with wreckless abandon.

Secondly, everyone says they want him to be more aggressive and take control of the OFF and ball. Well, can anyone truthfully say that Bibby takes control of the OFF and the ball? I mean, giving the ball to JJ or Jamal whenever he decides to bring the ball across half court isn’t my idea of taking control of anything.

Thirdly, how can LDrew justify a need for Bibby’s shooting to the point of playing him 30+MPG and going to such extremes to compensate for his poor pick and roll DEF, which he admits teams exploit, and all we’re getting out of the deal is inconsistency and only 10PPG?

Just like last yr under Woodson, lame excuse after lame excuse is being offered to justify playing Bibby and not playing Teague. Bibby does one thing well, and his numerous liabilities are either overlooked or efforts are made to compensate. Teague does several things well, but the one thing he doesn’t do as well at this point is being used against him.

You’d think if OFF is an issue with one, and DEF is an issue with the other, you’d play them both and take advantage of what each player does best. But that’s not what’s being done, which is why I say something else is behind LDrew’s dealings with Teague.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
1:21 am

KenS – It is the Larry Brown, Woody, LD way. Kill young players who are not elite, especially PG’s. It’s a history.

So someone is saying that Jordan is a better jumpshooter than Bibby because he can create his own shot? I don’t think so. If both Bibby and Teague average better significantly better than Jordan from 3 pt land (Teague in college and Bibby this season), Jordan must still be a better jumpshooter than both because he can create a shot.

Worldwide Clyde

January 24th, 2011
1:36 am

Dam another jump shooter we folks that can take it to the hole.

rusty

January 24th, 2011
1:46 am

Woody sucked & ld comes from the same school. He will not give jc2 or jt a chance while he gives mo big minutes,come on what up with the man

Ken Strickland

January 24th, 2011
2:08 am

During training camp Teague out performed Bibby, and it continued over into the 1st preseason, then Teague got hurt. Here are the preseason stats for Teague and Bibby.

Teague MINS-31, FGA/M-13/8, REB-1, AST-6, STLS-1, PTS-20
Bibby MINS-22, FGA/M- 2/1, REB-1, AST-1, STLS-1, PTS-2
Teague was injured and missed the next 5 preseason gms. Here are Bibby’s 6gm preseason totals.
MINS-22, 29, 25, 25, 15, 29
FGA/M-2-1, 4-1, 7-2, 6-2, 2-1, 8-5
REB-1, 2, 2, 0, 1, 0
AST-1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 5
STL-1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1
PTS-2, 3, 6, 5, 3, 13

Teague scored more pts in one preseason gm than Bibby managed to score in his next 5. It took Bibby 6 gms to get more than 3 assists. Teague got 2 steals in his one gm, while Bibby got 3 in 6gms. So don’t keep making up this BS about Bibby doing anything during training camp and preseason to keep Teague from taking his starting position. Except for an untimely injury and LDrew, Teague outperformed Bibby.

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
2:18 am

Guys, here is a question I have. This off season, would it be foolish of the Hawks to pursue K. Perkins? Would offering Perkins a deal of 4 years-$32 mil be a terrible idea? Boston window past this season is basically closed, especially with Rivers up in the air. While Perkins is coming off a knee injury, he was a player who used his head and his size more so than athleticism to do what he does. By all accounts, K. Perkins is the best defensive C in the league not name Dwight. Would a starting line up that features Joe, Josh, Al, Perkins, not be one of the best defensive lineups in the league? Josh is allowed to go into the off season and come into training camp knowing he will be the starting SF. There for he’s able to work more on his handle this off season and less on bulking up.

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
2:20 am

KenS, most 2 year players outperform 30 year old veterans in training camp and pre-season. I can’t imagine Sam Cassell, Gary Payton and others not being out performed in pre season and training camp by young guys.

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
2:21 am

KenS, also keep in mind the competition that it was against also. Once again, I’m not saying Bibby is the answer. But I’m not convinced that Teague is even a possibility of the answer.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 24th, 2011
7:14 am

Aaaah! Jordan Crawford is NOT a jump shooter, he is a scorer! Period.

O'Brien

January 24th, 2011
7:22 am

Although Bibby only averages 10 ppg, he does hit some big shots at key moments. Team down by 2 late in the fourth, Bibby will make a clutch 3 to give them the lead (although if Bibby’s defense was better, maybe the Hawks wouldn’t be down by 2 in the first place).

I dont know if Teague is the answer or not, but I hope LD and Rick knows.

Because assuming Jamal and Mo are allowed to leave next season, who will be our backup PG? Unless they believe Teague will make a huge improvement in his third year, I hope they are looking at other options.

Big Ray

January 24th, 2011
7:23 am

Northcyde is right about Jeff Teague (so is Drmaryb ). Take that from a guy who was supporting Teague for a while, hoping he’d develop into a capable pg.

No leadership qualities, or at least not enough of them.

Having said that, I won’t stop with blaming the player. Can’t. I have a few things to say on that subject, and the last thing I’ll say is something I said in preseason.

(1) Jordan Crawford is the most talented guard the Hawks have picked since Jason Terry. Jamaal Tinsley doesn’t count, as he was traded on draft night.

(2)The Hawks do not know how to pick pgs in the draft. They’ve proven this over several years. 2005 haunts us and the organization’s best hope of escaping that self-imposed curse may lie with our 2010 first round draft pick, whom we traded for.

(3) Larry Drew’s offensive system doesn’t require a pure pg. It doesn’t even require a real pg. It requires an aggressive, offense initiating lead guard. It’s why Jamal comes off the bench in place of Bibby. Larry might have said that Jordan Crawford is a 2 instead of a 1, but those words are in direct contrast with how he uses Jamal. Therefore, if Jordan can (and probably will) improve his ball-handling and decision-making, he can play a role similar to that of Jamal. I can see him alongside Joe if/when Jamal is gone and Bibby can no longer give starter’s minutes on a consistent basis. Seriously.

Big Ray

January 24th, 2011
7:30 am

Having said that, maybe it takes Teague 3+ years to develop into a capable pg. I’ve said before that it took nearly 4 years for Grizzlies lottery pick Mike Conley to come into his own. Maybe he needs to be on another team, I don’t know.

This team needs a pg who makes shots. This offense involves a lot of passing and moving, so no traditional pg is needed. And so, if JC2 makes strides on defense and with his ball-handling, I say it’s on. Give the minutes to the guard who produces the most for you. Who cares if JC2 is a 2. So is Jamal. But he’s THE guard off the bench for 30 min a game, is he not?

Teague MUST improve his perimeter shot, or he’s not going to break into this rotation.

Big Ray

January 24th, 2011
7:43 am

Ken ,

Hate to disagree with you, but preseason is preseason. You know this already. Teague did do well during the preseason, I’ll agree. Bibby didn’t need to. It’s not just about the stats, it’s about how both your team and the opposing team responds to you.

Bibby didn’t perform great in the preseason. But what’s he doing in the regular season? Who is top 3 in the League in 3 point shooting? Who keeps hitting big shot after big shot for the Hawks? Bibby on both counts, Teague on neither.

As for taking control of the ball and being aggressive, Bibby has him beat there, too. Tell me you haven’t paid attention to Larry Drew’s offense, man. That’s the only way you could come up with the explanation that Bibby doesn’t “take control.” Drew’s offense isn’t about one guard coming up and dominating the ball, facilitating and distributing in a traditional sense.

If this were the case, then there’s no way our starting PF/C and PF/SF would be averaging about 4 apg each. Neither would our starting SG/SF. Bibby brings the ball up. He does hand it off a lot. So does Jamal. It’s part of the offense. But what they do is stay involved after they’ve handed the ball off. They also set the play as they are bring the ball up the court. They can get the ball back and score. This is where Teague struggles so mightily. He may call and set the offense as he’s coming up, but when he hands the ball off, he isn’t likely to get it back.

One reason is because he sometimes does not get himself in a good position to receive the ball where he can score. Another reason is because he does not score from the perimeter, meaning that when he gets the ball, he needs to drive it. Well, how often is there a driving lane available when teams KNOW he’s quick and can’t shoot well from the outside? Exactly….there usually isn’t one, or he’s running into traffic and either misses a floater or gets blocked all too often.

The truth of it is that Jeff likely hasn’t even converted shots at the rim as often as Bibby has (which hasn’t been all that often, but a lot more this season than in the past two seasons). How do you explain that?

You have to admit it, man. You put Bibby in the game off the bench in any given game. He’s going to come in, call and set plays, and if he has a shot, he’ll take it. He’ll likely make it. From anywhere on the floor. You are guaranteed of this.

Put Jeff in. What’s he going to do? You are guaranteed nothing

Dunkus Colossus

January 24th, 2011
7:48 am

Why even have Teague on the team if you aren’t going to play him ?

The Hawks are the same as last year, they beat up the have nots and get beat by the good teams. So whether its Boston,Orlando,or Miami we all know the Hawks won’t beat them in the playoffs.

Dunkus Colossus

January 24th, 2011
7:51 am

I guess everybody forgets the Hawks took Starvin’ Marvin Williams over Chrs Paul in the draft ? look at CP & the Hornets drilling everybody.

Trojan

January 24th, 2011
8:35 am

My point about Teague is he has the raw ability. His potential is one missing ingredient for the Hawks to improve. As we are now constructed with Bibby, we will have difficulties in the playoffs again due to Bibby’s lack of defensive ABILITY and his lack of ability to break down defense in anyway. Bibby’s lack of athletic ability also makes us not utilize our athletic wing players in transition.

We need Teague to be developed in order to advance past our current state.

ken

January 24th, 2011
9:21 am

My problem with the Hawks organization is their unwilliness to address obvious needs. The center and point guard backups will not cut it in the playoffs against elite teams. This has been known for a few years and yet we continue to close our eyes and hope or we are just satisfied with being mediocre and making the playoffs. What is the true goal of this organization for its team?

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
10:09 am

There’s no reason why Teague can’t get 10min/game to improve.
-Sitting watching Bibby isn’t taking him forward. 4 DNPs then LD plays him 2 min? Come on, that’s a mental game LD is playing at that point.
LD still looks a lot like Woody, and the only true difference I see is that there is possbily more offensive movement. What’s funny is if LD was such a good assistant, there should have been no reason why that offensive scheme couldn’t have been used the 1st 6 years LD was here.
Call it confusing or whatever, but this organization is taking a safe approach across the board, whether its playing the guys who have done it over and over or refusing to develop the young players and show confidence in them.
You see mistakes by some, they get yanked. Others who make mistakes just are allowed to keep their minutes.
I understand you handle each player individually, but the Teague/LD relationship is not moving forward. It doesn’t sound like the Powell/LD thoughtwaves are at the same level either.
So you have 2 young guns who aren’t getting minutes to improve or help this team because LD has shortened the rotation. He is going to live and die with the regulars.
You play JC2 ahead of Teague…that ought to tell Teague where he stands with LD.
I can understand why Eric Maynor can’t get major minutes being behind Russell Westbrook, but LD has no excuse for not giving Teague regular stints. That also tells you that Scott Brooks is a much better coach then LD. Throw Thibs in there as well. He handles his roster better and the Bulls are above the Hawks in 1/2 season.
It probably has something to do with both OKC and CHI having all-star PGs where we have no clue what an all-star PG is. That one crutch in the roster is what will kill this team going forward.
I personally think Teague is a battler and will do what is asked of him.
But you can only keep knocking a player so much before they start losing their confidence watching in their warmups and not even getting a whiff. I was listening to Holman on radio during the Charlotte game and at one point, Holman stated that Teague is getting up getting ready to get in the game, then he says, woops, LD tells him to sit down again.

If you were Teague, where would your head be when you can’t even get in games? This shouldn’t be happening.

Its the core or bust, the standard ASG corporate motto.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
10:13 am

At this stage, I hope Teague can get out of here and get another shot at succeeding elsewhere. You might as well have Ty Lue or Anthony Johnson in an emergency.
How pissed will everyone around here be if Teague fins success elsewhere? He sure will have enough motivation.

ag

January 24th, 2011
10:28 am

On 12/1, Powell helped Atlanta defeat Memphis 112-109, shooting 8-9. He played 23 minutes. Two nights later he played 7 minutes, scoring 6 points on 3-3 shooting. He has played 20 minutes only twice since that date, both coming in blowout losses on Miami and Boston. He has not played over 10 minutes since 12/19 in the loss against NJ. In January, he is 1-10, has scored 4 points and played 39 minutes (Hawks are 8-2.)
Teague has played at least 20 minutes only twice this season, each time scoring double figures. (although both were losses. Dispite the limited playing time he has 3 games were he has at least 5 rebounds and 8 games when he dished out at least 4 assist.

ag

January 24th, 2011
10:36 am

What I saw against Boston this year and Cleveland last year is the kid can play. He just needs time on the court to be successful. If he plays with the starters and drives to the hole, how many open shots will Joe, Al and Marvin have? Bibby off the bench with Crawford will give us an advantage off the bench because Teague is looking to assist and rebound more than score.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
10:37 am

Ray, just reread your comments…while you may say that Bibby is the reason Teague isn’t getting minutes or LD doesn’t have the typical PG type of offense, that is only telling me one thing:
The Hawks are not moving forward, and what upsets so many people here, is that we can see the train wreck ahead before it happens.
You know what you are getting with Bibby; I truly don’t care how many shots he is hitting now. You aren’t building any depth when Bibby stops hitting his set shot jumpers, and we all know its going to happen.

We need the depth to move forward in the playoffs. LD can’t wait for the playoffs to start playing Teague and say, see how Teague didn’t contribute? It disgusts me that you can’t get your ‘backup’ PG in on a regular rotation and build him up for the playoff run.

We still don’t know which Hawks team is coming out; their best effort is always in question.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
10:43 am

You know what would be nice? To have David Aldridge of TNT/NBA.com to do a story about one of our bench players. A great writeup today about the Celtics: get ready, the return of Perkins, and the learning of Luke Harangody.
This team doesn’t have any of those such stories to share..why? I think the coaching staff/management has no interest in promoting their players and letting them get to a mic and tell them how hard this team works and pushes each other. Like Sund, you just simply hear nothing that makes you want to follow this team closer. The Celtics aren’t doing something so out of the box that other teams can’t follow.
I just don’t like hearing ‘nothing’ about whether the leaders on this team push the younger guys. Give us a nugget other than Jamal hasn’t gotten a contract offer so far.
And, as the standard, the Hawks are 10th this week on the DA power rankings….yawn.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
10:49 am

Enter your comments here

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
10:51 am

It can’t be the PG’s….it’s the coaches

ag

January 24th, 2011
10:54 am

Someone projected Teague’s numbers as a starter. With 35 minutes, he would average around 10ppg, but he would get you 6 reb and 9 assists. On this team that requires a lot of movement, he would drive and dish. That is not as effective with the second unit, but deadly with our starters. He would improve our defense. Rondo cannot shoot, but look how he effects the game. Teague will do the same. Watching the game, Bibby dribbles to half court and hands the ball to JJ. Teague ususally does the same with JC… but when JC was hurt, Teague took the second unit on his back.

ag

January 24th, 2011
10:57 am

I agree with Kevin M, we see the train wreck coming. Have a good regular season beating up on the weak teams, but in the playoffs were we need great defense, we are going to get exposed. What happens when those jumpers stop falling? Put me a point guard in the game who will dunk on you with attitude!

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
11:24 am

Enter your comments here

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
11:28 am

Josh Childress….Lol

Josh Childress, Phoenix Suns – 4 years, $27.7 million: The full Mid-Level Exception should get you a player who puts up more than 5.3 points a game. He also hasn’t hit a three-pointer all season long and his free throw percentage is a pathetic 56%. This from a player who was never under 77% from the line in his previous four years in the NBA. It has to get better, right?

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18537#ixzz1ByFyoRvd

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
11:31 am

Big Ray – I hate to disagree with you, but Teague is a better jumpshooter than JC2, but not as aggressive.

KevinM said “personally think Teague is a battler and will do what is asked of him.
But you can only keep knocking a player so much before they start losing their confidence watching in their warmups and not even getting a whiff.”

Cosign that.

If you wanted to develop Teague, all you do is this: Jeff, tonite you are playing Chris Paul. I am going to put you in the game for 5-6 minutes in the 1st half, and 3 in the 2sn half. During that time I want you to eat Chris Paul’s lunch. He shouldn’t be able to breathe without you 2 inches from his face. I want you to attack him, make him have nightmares about you at night. If that put Jack in, double your efforts. Be feared.” Do that every night. He knows his role. He gains confidence and the respect of his teammates, and gradually becomes a better player and leader.

Not, “I haven’t spoken to Coach Drew in a while”. LD is a Larry Brown/Woody disciple, and this is standard operating procedure for them.

Look at Felton people! Look at Augustin now that Brown is gone! These former PG’s (Brown and LD) kill PG’s!

Fundamentals

January 24th, 2011
11:32 am

Folks are missing the point. If Bibby runs out of gas…again, like the last 2 years we’ll fail miserably when it counts. If Teague can’t go we need someone RIGHT NOW to mesh with this team to become prepared for that stretch run. It’s obvious Drew won’t use him.

Same applies for Powell, Etan and essentially ZaZa. They don’t fit the system or aren’t plugging into their role this season. Why keep them? Yeah, Teague might develop into a great PG elsewhere, but we need help NOW. Are you willing to take that risk? Who can you get for these unuseable players?

To win the title we need effective role players at each of our 15 slots. Right now Sy and JC2 seem to be our projects. With a normal 8 man rotation that leaves 5 role players who need to be effective, efficient and ready when called to fill in WHEN injuries hit us in the playoffs.

Right now as it stands if Bibby goes down to whatever reason and Jamal or Marvin bump their backs we’re done. It’s over. Another 2nd round failure and thus no improvement.

LD coaches for right now. For regular season wins so Ken can tell us how good we are. It’s not about babying scrubs. It’s about making sure you have pieces you can use when it counts. Seems we have none outside our 8 man rotation.

Players – Committ to playing your role or find a new home.

LD – use them or get someone else in to fill the roles.

End results as it stands are inevitable without development or change. 1 and done or 2nd round blowout.

Fundamentals

January 24th, 2011
11:36 am

Amen Steve W. Know your role, play it well or get off the team.

Hawks/LD don’t define roles, don’t move unuseable players, don’t coach for the postseason.

It’s all about winning now to satisfy the “experts” on this blog.

Trojan

January 24th, 2011
11:40 am

When LD gives his canned answers to the Teague situation, I would like for a reporter to ask him about Bibby’s shortcomings and why Teague is not being developed. He should be asked about the Hawks being just a jump shooting team. He should be asked about his inattention to defensive pressure from the point guard position.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
11:46 am

If I were Teague, I would go to my agent and request a trade. Long after we’ve fired LD, Teague will be making us pay. Teams around the League are salivating to obtain Jeff Teague.

Big Ray – I hate to disagree with you again, but Jeff Teague is the most talented Guard we have drafted in 10 years, not Jordan Crawford. But Jordan is the most aggressive. And I’m a big JC2 fan, and have defended him on these blogs when others where attacking him for various reasons.

But both Teague and Jordan are incredible athletes who fit in with the Hawks young, athletic theme. Worst case scenario, Jamal walks, then Bibby leaves next season, and we have Teague, Jordan, and JJ as a good 3-some in the backcourt.

And we own Teague’s rights thru the ‘12-’13 season.

JeJe

January 24th, 2011
11:50 am

LOL @ people who think Jordan Crawford is actually good.

People here think he’s a great shooter/scorer too…Really? When does he actually make shots when he’s in the game? I count his alleyoop the other night as his only good play for us in about 2 months

SmDH

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
12:02 pm

Fundamentals….you said it like it needs to be said. Sund needs to be called out until he addresses the issue with JC1, or even provide something that defends his position as being in the correct mindset.
Faith in Rick Sund? I have none!

And again, Teague was brought in here between Ty Lawson and Eric Maynor draft picks. If either of those guys were here, we would be seeing the same approach IMO.

LD has flaws like his predecessor. Has he improved our offense? Not based on the stats, but in execution with involving more moving pieces?
Perhaps.
Has the defense improved this year? Hmmmm, that one is in question. I saw Sacramento carve us up, saw Houston run right by us, and the Hornets stomp on us. I don’t bring up the Miami game only because the Heatles settled for those 25 foot jumpers instead of challenging. And please, no one tell me the core is intimidated the Heatles. I saw LBJ and Wade as lethargic and was not interested in a full blown effort, despite losing 3 in a row. I give the Hawks credit for surviving and getting the W, but you can’t boast about their defense they played in that one.

So many see it happening, and we have to accept it, but nothing the Hawks say or do ignite me to get on the phone and take that Bob Rathburn Hawks salespitch and get that Chik-Fil-A family night package. I’ll just go directly to Chik-Fil-A and save my funds for a future GM who might bring us an attitude of championship or bust.
I see Boston, Chicago and Orlando getting better going forward this year….why not us?

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
12:06 pm

This isn’t about Teague, it is about LD….AFTER THE BOSTON GAME, THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED HIM IN THE REGULAR ROTATION. This is exact same thing that happened to AC LAW, and the same people are giving the same excuses.
This isn’t about the players because we see the talent, it is about the coaches. This is the exact same way it happened to LAW(Good game, no real playing time, the next 4 games)….WE ALL WATCHED IT HAPPEN.

So please stop making excuses, for coaches that want Vet PG’s only or one more shooter on the floor.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
12:07 pm

Hey MC/Ken, any trade winds blowing around the league that you have heard that ties to Nash or Billups?

Can Billups be considered before the Melo drama ends? When you see Nene, (not the Housewives Nene!!) picking cities he wants to be in, you know the powder keg is about to be lit in Denver. That rookie GM won’t be able to right that organization and talk about a pressure cooker he came into?

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
12:08 pm

LD wants a Derrick Fisher kind of PG and that means JC2 would be his preffered choice…. BUT HOW DO YOU TELL YOUR GM THAT I WANT TO TRADE YOUR FUTURE PG, THAT I PROMISED TO DEVELOP.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
12:22 pm

Shaun Powell did a very fair writeup of this team

http://www.nba.com/reportcard/midseason/2011/hawks/

Do we really believe the Hawks are 18th in offense, (3rd or 4th last year), and 8th in defense?

That B they received is only as good as the Knicks…..we have done a worse job than any team above us in the East.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
12:32 pm

Rufus, do we really have a Derek Fisher type PG? Fisher does man up on defenders, unlike any 1/2 PG, 1/2 man we have now….he is so much more than concrete boot Bibby…

Think LD is asking for an outsider to fill that role going forward? We do see the Teague writing on the wall.

Worldwide Clyde

January 24th, 2011
12:38 pm

How can Teague assume a leadership position when he only gets to play once every week?

We shoot too many jumpers. We need people that can penetrate and score easy points.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
12:47 pm

KevinM

No we don’t have a DFisher, but that is what LD wants.

He is either hoping JC1 becomes a better PG and defender or next year will be all about JC2. Teague not getting 15min a night doesn’t make any sense, because Bibby will be worn down by the end of the season…Bibby is starting to miss a lot of wide open shots…LEGS!

ag

January 24th, 2011
12:52 pm

After I saw Teague in that Boston game, I said the kid could play. I have seen it in flashes both seasons. You can’t play well on the bench. Joe and Jamal will shot us in and out of games, but if Teague misses a shot or makes a TO, he is out of the game.
PLAY JEFF TEAGUE

ag

January 24th, 2011
12:58 pm

During crunch time, I would rather have Bibby in the game, but quarter 1 – 3, play the young guy. We got blown out by NO and Teague did not get in until the 4th quarter. Bibby was 0-7 in 19 minutes with one assist.(okay so Teague was 0-8 in scrub time but grabbed 2 rbs 3ast and 1 block). He does so much more than Bibby, who basically shots 3’s.

cp

January 24th, 2011
1:09 pm

I will agree about a guy playing well then getting dnp’s . I remember venting on the blog when Law was here about how he would have a game where he would play well then you would not see him for about 4 games then he would come in a game and only play 5 minutes. I think it was the Warriors game one year where Law had like 6 dimes in the first half then saw no pt in the second…When Jamal was hurt and Teague wasn’t deferring to anybody the dude played well. He has showed that when he does gets minutes he can contribute to this team….I imagine that its hard to stay in a rhythm if you play 10 minutes one night get a few dnp’s then play 6 minutes the next time you are put in a game. Like I have said before, Teague has shown flashes but he is still raw. Bibby only has one more year on his deal and there was talk about Bibby being fatigued a few weeks ago and its not even the All star break yet. He has been playing a lot of minutes and around playoff time I wouldn’t be shocked if Bibby looks tired again. At some point LD has to get Teague ready or they need to find another pg and find one ASAP… LD just has to let the dude play through his mistakes or tell Sund to get him somebody else.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
1:41 pm

I beginning to LD did draft HIS PG…JC2

If you think about it, JC2 is a Bibby clone. A lead guard in college, who was a bigtime shot maker…That was Bibby and JC2’s college careers.

That would explain why when Jc2 comes in the game he runs the PG and he is a perfect fit with an offense that doesn’t need a true PG.

Confidence- is the key to all great players.

Woodson destoyed Law’s confidence and we see the results.

LD is destroying Teague’s confidence with the same method of inconsistant play.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
1:42 pm

“I beginning to think LD did draft HIS PG…JC2″

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
2:16 pm

We’re told Teague is not a leader, so he doesn’t play. But then we are told we don’t need a leader at PG in LD’s offense anyway. Huh? LD is not playing Teague because of his old school ways, plain and simple. Hope he doesn’t destroy him.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
2:17 pm

And if JC2 leapfrog’s Teague, and probably already has, LD may “punish” him then, and the circle continues.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 24th, 2011
2:21 pm

Soft -Serve!

What’s with all this fragile psyche, soft stuff? Poor little Basketball players who crumble, ball up and die from that mean ole’ coach who stole their little confidence!
_________________________

OMG! Are these players that pitiful? All you got to do is nail a millionaire’s azz to a bench and he loses his balls? Like I said, “This is a grown man’s business.”
Put these little puppies back up on the porch.

I’d rather watch The Dream! They have more heart and game!

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
2:25 pm

Ok blog people, it’s beginning to look like it may be ATL and Orlando in the 1st round of the playoffs. I know alot can happen between now and then, but that is a very realistic scenario.

Let’s suppose that Orlando has homecourt advantage. The Hawks finish let’s say 52-30. Orlando wins this 1st round series in 6, but with the Hawks playing much tougher. Are the Hawks a success this season or not in that scenario?

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
2:26 pm

Drmaryb – With rare exceptions, you are right about the Dream

KWB

January 24th, 2011
2:40 pm

Coach Drew is being short sighted on the Hawks future and should take a look at the other teams who allowed the young point guards to grow. Biddy would be a great back-up/mentor to help Teague grow into that lead role.

Come on Coach Drew, the future is JT because he can break down the opposing team’s inside defense and will only get better if he plays now! Bibby doesn’t have the speed to attack the other teams interior defense and Jamal is looking to score if he gets into the middle.

I think JT could be one of the elite PG in the east if you wake-up and see how he’s going to benefit you in the future.

Our team looks very familiar to last year’s team and your new O needs a new leader on the floor or you’ll be in the same boat as your predecessor. You’ll win the first round and be gone in the second because you’ll face a PG lead his team to the next round.

By the way, when are you planning to get Josh to shut-up and play ball. I watched him crying to the refs against the Hornets instead of getting back on defense!!! He’s a great talent, but doesn’t understand what it takes to go to the next level. Does he get a pass from the Coach because he’s a so called superstar? Real superstars don’t leave their teammates hanging.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 24th, 2011
2:49 pm

Drew future ends in 1.5 seasons, in about 18 months. The owners gave him a contract that says WIN now, there is no future. I guess, the next Coach will get a developmental contract.

JeJe

January 24th, 2011
2:52 pm

There are QBs in the NFL who play through half a season with one healthy knee.

Marvin Williams has been out 4 weeks with a bruised back

LOL!!!!!

JeJe

January 24th, 2011
2:53 pm

“Are the Hawks a success this season or not in that scenario?”

We’ve been to the 2nd round 2 years in a row.

How can losing in the 1st round be a success?

Are you serious?

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
3:06 pm

JeJe – You could make an arguement that you played Orlando better, so even if you lose in the 1st round, your better.

The Truth

January 24th, 2011
3:07 pm

MC: Marvin Williams (back) cleared for contact. Joe Johnson (knee) and Josh Smith (knee) sat out today, expected to return Tues

Ken Strickland

January 24th, 2011
3:09 pm

RAMON-Didn’t Bibby underachieve during the same preseason that Teague and every other Hawk player went through?

BIG RAY-When LDrew stated he was going to give Teague every chance to unseat Bibby as our starting PG, wasn’t this opportunity to surplant Bibby suppose to take place during TRAINING CAMP and PRESEASON? And with the inconsistency and low production he had last yr, and the willingness of LDrew to give Teague a chance to unseat him, he definitely needed to have a strong training camp.

How can training camp and preseason be trivialized when each yr players make NBA rosters, and get cut, based on their training camp and preseason performances? Look, during the playoffs, we can’t hide or neutralize Bibby’s DEF liabilities, especially his inability to defend the pick and roll. We are particularily vulnerable against the pick and roll when both JCollins and Bibby are involved.

The team would be better served if LDrew used Teague and Bibby(OFF/DEF) in matchup situations the way we use Horford and Twin. When you look at the teams that will most likely make the playoffs, the Heat is the only team that won’t lkely take full advantage of Bibby. The Magic, Bulls, Knicks, Celtics, Pacers, and possibly the Bucks, definitely have the PG’s to take full advantage of him. Unless a trade is forthcoming, Teague is our only option.

Bibby is waaaay past the point of developing the attributes needed to effectively defend the pick and roll, and replacing him with Jamal isn’t an option either. I agree with your assessment of LDrew’s OFF system, which is tailor made for Bibby. It’s designed to move the ball, not just the player, towards the basket. I believe Teague can match or exceed Bibby’s 10PPG and 4APG if given anywhere near his 30MPG, along with much better DEF. This is no longer about Teague getting a chance to start. It’s about LDrew’s sudden unwillingness to give him the consistent mins and opportunities he needs to develop and become a consistent contributor, now that he’s 100% healthy.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
3:19 pm

Let’s develop Guards by Larry Drew:

Let’s see, we’ll put JC2 in for 1 game the entire month of December. Any chance he get’s squeezed in for a couple of minutes a 15 pt win against NJ at home? Nope. Playing time in a 16 pt loss @ San Antonio? Nope. How about a 14 pt win at home against Indy? No, why would I let him in the last 2 minutes, we may lose. We lost by 23 @ Detroit any playing time the last 4 or 5 minutes? Are you kidding? A 14 pt win @ home against the NBA’s worst team, the Cavs? Why would I play him a couple of minutes there? A 15 pt. win @ Milwaukee? The kid may blow the lead in the last 2 minutes of the game. Stranger things have happened! But I will play him a total of 10 minutes in 10 games in January, besides the historic loss to New Orleans, and that will make people think I’m developing him. It’s all part of my master plan.

SteveW

January 24th, 2011
3:22 pm

Anybody remember Brandon Jennings vs. Bibby last year? How about Jameer and Arenas against Bibby this season? Rose vs Bibby? How about Rondo against Bibby? Felton vs. Bibby? Augustin vs. Bibby?

Section 303

January 24th, 2011
3:25 pm

SteveW, that’s an interesting question. My answer: I don’t think so. If the Hawks lose in the 1st round, even to Orlando, it would be a failure. At somepoint, the Hawks have to beat one of the big dogs in the East during the postseason. If not, then all of the games and all of our talk was for nothing.

Section 303

January 24th, 2011
3:27 pm

By the way….guys, have you seen our home schedule for the month of March. There are going to be some great games at the Highlight Factory. I just hope the Hawks survive the long road trip at the end of February.

Big Ump

January 24th, 2011
3:27 pm

drmaryb

Your 2:21pm post, I couldn’t said it any better. You don’t babysit professional ball players. Like I said before if a coach make you lose your confidence in yoursel, then you in the wrong business.

Grandad

January 24th, 2011
3:34 pm

The blog has degenerated into a mélange of razzmatazz
concerning willy-nilly.

* Big Ray *
Great Post and terrific point about D.Fisher.
Another great point about -only- needing a lead guard!

Where is all the criticism of LD coming from?
He has yet to lose a play-off game?

Concerning his playing time for certain players:
Jason Collins is thriving in his role.
I’ve heard alot of you folks commend LD on using Match-ups
to our advantage.
What? It’s okay for Jason and not for Josh Powell or teague?
D.Wilkins is thrilled to just wear the uniform! Send Powell packing!
LD’s formula is working.
Big Ray is RIGHT…our guards must be able to shoot in this offense.
Think ORL and their offense & how much difficulty we had due to the
fact we had to cover all their shooters last season during the
play-offs.

Last point – for all MB’s percieved defensive liabilities,
we are 8th in the [whole] NBA in defense with Bibby playing
the 3rd most min on the team.

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
3:49 pm

Ken, its about the point of the game that they played. If Teague got most of his minutes after the first quarter. Its a great chance it was against back up PGs and not starters. Either way, the other game I saw something in Teague’s attitude that just wasn’t healthy for a point guard to have. You could tell he was moody and grumpy. I was one who believed that he should get at least 10 minutes every night, and no DNP. Every one talks about Josh, Marvin, Al, and Josh C been given a lot of time to play through their mistakes. But at those times we were a lottery team, not a top seeded playoff team two season in a row. When Lawson comes in for Denver, you instantly know he’s in the game by his play. When Teague comes in, it takes a second to even realize it.

Ra'mon

January 24th, 2011
3:51 pm

I’m telling you guys, the issue isn’t with LD on the PG situation, its with Sund. Bibby, Teague, and JC1 part time is not the answer to the kind of pg play you want leading you to the ECF.

dukester

January 24th, 2011
4:04 pm

*yawns* O well whats up fellow hawks fans. Well it really dont matter who we have at PG until we get a center we are doomed. Especially being a poor jump shooting team that takes a ton of jumpers. Better have a rebounder and somebody to plug that lane. But whatever go hawks

Big Ray

January 24th, 2011
4:07 pm

KevinM ,

No, read my post again. I said that the issue doesn’t end (or even begin) with Jeff Teague. I made some very pointed comments about the organization. You must have missed them. To me, they are the bigger issue.

SteveW ,

We can agree to disagree, no sweat. I don’t know where you get the idea that Teague has a better jumper than Jordan Crawford. Hell, it doesn’t even look better. I agree that Jordan is certainly more aggressive. Isn’t that part of the game, part of being a pro ball player?

Jordan comes into the game and goes right after it. Teague comes into the game and goes after it sometimes, but not others. How exactly is he more talented?

Ken ,

I’ve watched Teague. He isn’t doing what he did in the preseason. He goes in, misses jumpers. Goes in, turns the ball over. Goes in….it’s different when the bright lights are on.

Yes, Bibby is slowing down. Yes, Bibby has issues defending (yet, the effort is there, and you have to admit, it’s better than it ever has been). Teague is the best “quick” on-ball defender. But is he shutting opposing pgs down? What does he do on the other end of the floor?

Also, I agree that there have been times this season where Teague has played well and LD hasn’t rewarded him with more playing time. But I can only count on a few. In fact, I had a time space like that last season where Teague responded well. Probably the same number of games.

Tell me: what is Teague doing so well that LD is absolutely rotten over not playing him for?

Bro’….I’ve been holding out for this guy for so long. But I’m done. He’s either an example of another not so great pick, or he’s a guy who takes 3 or 4 years to develop.

If it’s the former, we blame management. If it’s the latter, WTF are we getting on Drew for in year 2 of the guy’s development?

Or are you telling me Teague is/should be starter material right now?

Big Ray

January 24th, 2011
4:23 pm

Grandad ,

Thanks for understanding. Of course, you have a great deal more knowledge about the game than I do, so it’s no surprise.

terrell

January 24th, 2011
4:28 pm

4 road wins away from matching last years TOTAL.

kwooden1

January 24th, 2011
5:08 pm

I have to agree with Northclyde on Teague’s defensive, he hasn’t been much better than Bibby the last month, so it makes it hard to leave Bibby’s %50 3pt shooting on the bench. LD, is try to win games right now and Teague’s going to have to fight for his minutes. Him and Crawford, didn’t do much in their minutes against the Hornets, even though it was a blowout. Those guys had an opportunity and ended up wasting it, I don’t think that’s fair, but it is what is. I think Jeff needs to come in the game and attack the opposing PG, that will get the attention of the coaches. The HAWKS will probably end up signing Damien for the rest of the year because of his defensive. (also Marvin’s pron to injury) Jeff needs to develop a role on the team, like Damien has.

Sy Update:
Papa has started the last 4 games and is averaging double figures. From what I’ve seen online, his shot has looked a lot better and he’s much more confortable with the flow of the game. Looks like the D-League is actually doing some D.

GO HAWKS!!

drmaryb (*_*)

January 24th, 2011
5:10 pm

Charles Barkley said this his 1st year on TNT:

“Good teams win at home and play .500 on the road, they defend with their life and rebound the ball. You can not win without the ball!”

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
5:10 pm

Thank Terrell for the bright side.

Positive 15 wins on the road Tied for the best in the NBA. 8th in the league on defense. 4th in the league in ast.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 24th, 2011
5:15 pm

Rufus1

Thanks for those ‘nimbers’. Very good stats right there. This is a really good disjointed team. Not to mention playing through severe injuries.
Marvin sat out way too long for a bruised back – or was it his ego?

ag

January 24th, 2011
5:16 pm

Teague should start

Truthspitter

January 24th, 2011
5:20 pm

Bottom line is the Hawks have to make a trade involving a impact point guard. Nash, Harris, maybe even A. Miller, Marvin for Miller (Portland) is a real possibilty because their salaries match and we need a legitimate point guard even if he’s long in the tooth and they a SF.
If Teague, we can be kept great, but he should not be deal breaker.

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
5:26 pm

Teague should be playing ’some’. What that definition is? Well, I would hope as much as his talent allows…..for the investment, I would think he would be getting 25mpg at this stage.

He is taking up a roster slot as the ‘backup’ PG if there is such a designation. He should be able to run with the core also.
You know how Bibby stays in a game? No foul trouble….which also means no chances taken, no defensive denials on the wing, etc. When was the last time you heard Bibby was in foul trouble? HAHA

Rufus, JC1 isn’t going to improve his defense. He is now being viewed as a hired gun, and will look for his next employer soon enough.
I guess Sund and the ASG think they can replace Flip with JC1 and JC1 with JC2…does that sound like you are building for a championship run?

SteveW, I view the Hawks based on if they get through the 2nd round as a successful year. They have been together so long, injuries nor new coach nor anything else should be an excuse. Would anyone be surprised if Smoove/JJ come out and say, “we don’t know what happened; we felt like we were ready”.

I am sure Marvin has his supporters here, but they are far and few….for a guy who was to be out 4 games, his value erodes more and more every week. I can’t wait for his defensive presence to make us a contender again!

Come next game vs. the Celtics, I think we will get a full does of Shaq/Perkins/Ergen/Big Baby and show this city what this team is missing. The only mistake I see the Celtics making this year was signing another fragile stiff, J.O’Neal.

Rufus1

January 24th, 2011
5:40 pm

Tommie

January 24th, 2011
5:40 pm

The Hawks get no national media coverage because the team is bland and has no personalities. JJ, Al, Jamal, and either Josh to a degree do not appeal to the fans of the game let alone outside of it.
Trade Jamal for Nash create a buzz then trade for Kaman. The Hawks have the pieces to make both trades without given up the real core of JJ, Al, and Josh. The team becomes chic,hip,and relavent with this new lineup.
Jamal, Teague, Mo, and Marvin have not improved the team to compete for a championship so why not involve them in efforts to win. Also use the 1st round pick.
Make the team interesting and relavent, please!

JeJe

January 24th, 2011
5:41 pm

Some QBs played a season with one leg.

Marvin has missed 4 weeks with a bruised back. LOL

KevinM

January 24th, 2011
5:42 pm

JeJe, haha, not Cutler…that injury of his looks lame at this point.

Is Marvin as mentally fragile as Jay?

Sautee

January 24th, 2011
6:35 pm

SteveW,

If Larry Brown is such a PG killer, then wtf explains Chauncey Billups, who blossomed under Larry Brown from a journeyman PG to a solid All-Pro?

And did he “ruin” Allen Iverson at Philly?

How about Mark Jackson in Indiana? Did Brown “kill” his career?

Larry Brown as PG killer is a hugely wrong characterization, IMO. If you want to say that his system failed to bring out the best in Felton and Augustine, ok, I’ll buy that. But look at the PGs this man has coached. No way has he been a PG killer.

You are not giving the coaches nearly enough credit for any improvements and ALL of the blame for the players’ faults.

But if Teague could play anywhere CLOSE to Billups, Iverson, or Mark Jackson, then I don’t think you’d see LD “holding him back”. Most of what’s holding Teague back is within himself.

Samuel

January 25th, 2011
9:07 am

Why are we still talking about Jeff “freeking” Teague. It’s pretty simple as to why he’s not playing. He can’t shoot. Last time I checked that was the name of the game. Other than John Wall, name me another guard in the league who shoots as poorly as Jeff Teague? That’s the bottom line here so why waste all this time talking about it.

Ken Strickland

January 25th, 2011
11:35 am

BIG RAY-The question should be, what isTeague doing so badly that he can’t even be considered for any meaningful mins during garbage time? It seems weird to me that we can criticize Teague for not playing shutdown DEF, and often use it as justification for not wanting to see him play more, while at the same time completely glossing over BIbby’s MATADOR DEF. If you want to see more consistency and production from Teague, give him more consistency and mins to develop and produce.

JJ and Jamal both struggled after returning from their injuries, and we lost a gm or 2 as a result. If we had been stupid enough to use their struggles as an excuse to reduce their mins and yo yo them in and out of the lineup, do you think they’d be as productive as they’ve been lately, or would we be getting more of what we got from them immediately after their return?

If LDrew had to give these 2 seasoned and very talented veteran players consistent mins and opportunities to regain their form after returning from injuries, even if it meant risking a few losses, why in the hell would anyone expect a young, talented and extremely inexperienced player like team to require anything different? This is especially puzzling when you consider his development would solve our biggest need. Virtually every Eastern Conference team that will make the playoffs will have a PG that can blow by Bibby at will. A CHAIN IS NO STRONGER THAN IT’S WEAKEST LINK, and Bibby is our weakest link, both on OFF and DEF.

If LDrew thinks he can he can have more success in the playoffs using gimmicks and his MOTION OFF to compensate for Bibby’s offensive and defensive liabilities, he’s as mistaken as Woodson was. And you’re correct about Bibby giving much more effort, but it’s results that count, and we’re not getting much, especially on a consistent basis. I doubt if Teague will ever equal Bibby as a long range shooter, but can anyone name anything else Bibby does well that Teague couldn’t equal or surpass if given the mins and support?

And before any of you bring up the turnover issue, just look at the highest rated PG’s with high assists, and you’ll see they are among the leaders in turnovers as well. When you limit your ball handling, penetration, play the PG position as conservatively as Bibby does, and generate only 4APG in 30+MPG, you can’t help but have a low turnover ratio.

Samuel

January 25th, 2011
3:12 pm

Also, LD has figured out that Teague is not all that great on defense either and is too timid to show any leadership on the floor. So what reason would he play?

Ken Strickland

January 25th, 2011
6:08 pm

SAMUEL-So what you’re saying is, since Teague isn’t all that great on DEF, as you put it, it’s in the best interest of the team to keep him firmly glued to the bench and play a far worse DEF player? And all of this crap about Teague being too timid and lacking leadership is a bunch of BS. Just because he doesn’t go about his business in a manner that suits some of you doesn’t mean he can’t get it done. There have been no shortage of distractors who’ve had the same to say about JJ.

1-WHY IN THE HELL IS TEAGUE’S DEF BEING CALLED INTO QUESTION AND NOT BIBBY’S?
2-WHY IN THE HELL IS TEAGUE EXPECTED TO PLAY WITH WRECKLESS ABANDON, AND NOT BIBBY?
4-WHY IN HELL IS TEAGUE’S SHOOTING ABILITY A MAJOR ISSUE, AND NOT BIBBY’S INABILITY TO PENETRATE, OR GO BELOW THE 3PT LINE WITH THE BALL IN HIS HAND?
3-WHY ARE TEAGUE’S ALLEDGED SHORTCOMINGS CONSIDERED ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM FROM GETTING MINS, YET EVERYONE WANTED JCOLLINS TO BECOME A PERMANENT STARTER, EVEN THOUGH HE DOESN’T SCORE, REBOUND WELL, BLOCK SHOTS, OR PROVIDE GOOD HELP DEF?

WHERE’S THE LOGIC?