Atlanta Hawks: Video: Talkin’ Teague and defensive toughness

I discussed the Hawks with CineSport’s Noah Coslov. This is my first crack at this video thing so don’t judge too harshly, blog people. There’s a reason I write instead of talk.

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

137 comments Add your comment

slimjr

January 26th, 2011
12:35 am

DWILL and his coach are not seeing eye to eye. He is unhappy in Utah now…Sund needs to make a play for that guy ASAP.. PG problem solved for years to come..

slimjr

January 26th, 2011
12:38 am

“That is absolutely scary that the best Sund pick in the last 6 years, is Luke Ridnour.”
Who? WTF????
Hawks=Write off…………………………..
Sund=Fail

Ra'mon

January 26th, 2011
1:15 am

I would trade Al Horford, JC1, and a first for D Williams in a blink of an eye and take my chances. Al becomes the new Malone under Sloan. And Williams becomes half of the best back court in the NBA with Joe Johnson. In a short instance, you just balanced out your roster, and upgraded your half court offense.

Worldwide Clyde

January 26th, 2011
1:32 am

My Boy JeJe is M.I.A.

I guess another sweep in the second round is the only thing that will force management to make some changes.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
1:34 am

MC You’re HOT!!!

Good thing I have on my mini skirt tonight!!

Jed

January 26th, 2011
2:23 am

@MC: it’s not your volume; it’s either the mike quality or placement or (lack of) EQ.

Grandad

January 26th, 2011
2:24 am

MC says the thing keeping us from being elite is our defense.
In a sense I agree withg him since his answer did not offer
specifics, only saying [defense] in a broad sweeping statement.
Well rebounding is generally considered one of the five *parts
*[components] of defense. Therefore I agree that improving our rebounding is one component that could put us at the elite level.
Also a [Big] that can help clean up on the inside would also aid
our defense. [a sidekick for Al and Josh]
i.e. a shotblocking rebounder.
As my Coach used to tell me;
“Grandad – get in there and clean out the lane!”
Well he actually didn’t call me Grandad back then…but you…
get the picture. (I had very little skill so I played *rugged)
*[that's if rugged rugged means Harvey Dahl was a basketball player]
Back on topic – What I’m saying is;
it’s personnel and not effort or coaching.
Plus I think a [Big] is needed more than a pg.

Grandad

January 26th, 2011
2:29 am

rugged rugged means twice as rugged.
*or it may have been a typo.

NCBravesFan

January 26th, 2011
5:18 am

Good stuff, MC … as others have said, get a better webcam/microphone and you’ll be a YouTube star!

O'Brien

January 26th, 2011
7:22 am

@ Grandad,

Right now, Hawks are 25th in rebounding in the league. That’s horrible.

That being said, to improve our defense, the biggest need is a PG (imo). Sure, it would be nice to have Dwight playing center, but if we replace Bibby with Rondo, and everybody else stays the same, I think our defense improves dramatically.

Just yesterday, Dwight (reigning DPOY) was complaining about their perimeter defense, because it was so bad in their loss to Detroit.

And thats one of the issues LD has with Teague. He needs to be more aggressive on defense when he picks up the opposing ball handler on the perimeter.

If we can’t get the defense at PG, then the big you mentioned would be next on my wish list.

O'Brien

January 26th, 2011
7:25 am

Despite Shaq, JO, KG, and Perkins missing a lot of games, the Celtics were able to remain #1 in the East. If they stay healthy, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

Ironically, they are 30th in rebounding, but 2nd in points allowed. I think they are top 5 in defense though.

UGASlobberknocker

January 26th, 2011
7:32 am

Great stuff for a guy who has a face for the print media

haha jk keep up the great work.

terrell

January 26th, 2011
8:05 am

Sunds draft picks are laughable. JC2 might be his best pick ever. lol! Think I might go with Collison over Ridnhour though Northcyde. lol! Mateen freakin Cleaves in the lottery? Wow! How can we expect anything from Teague after looking at that list?

terrell

January 26th, 2011
8:14 am

Good point, Rufus 1(12:33 am). I got a good laugh reading that one. Hahahahahaha!

terrell

January 26th, 2011
8:21 am

Slim Jr, you giving up Horford for an OVERWEIGHT DWill? Cause thats what it’ll take. Oh yeah, they dont need Horford in Utah with Milsap and Jefferson, so you can forget about that one. Unless you think Josh Smith is a Sloan type of player?? lol!

terrell

January 26th, 2011
8:26 am

Did the ASG even look at Rick Sund’s resume before they hired him? Shows what kind of ownership we’re dealing with people.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
8:33 am

“drmaryb (*_*)

MC You’re HOT!!!

Good thing I have on my mini skirt tonight!!”
__________________________

Ignore the Trolle! I didn’t post that comment.
____________________________

I’m done with talking about Teague, I told yall he has no fire and a I don’t really care attitude. He left school early to make money, he is doing that now, mission accomplished. I hope he can budget the 3.5M wisely over the next 60 years.

terrell

January 26th, 2011
8:47 am

Dr. Mary B, isnt that why every player leaves school early?

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
8:55 am

Most leave because they don’t want to learn anything, and view school as get rich quick scheme. I dint leave until I graduated. It all depends on your intentions and motivation. Al stayed 4 years and came NBA ready, look at his pay check verses what Teague’s will be after 3 years.

PG is the one position you should get good at before coming to the NBA. Teague could have been a starter for four years, but he didn’t choose that option. So, why cry for him?

dukester

January 26th, 2011
8:56 am

I wish I could leave for some money.

hawks_4_life

January 26th, 2011
8:58 am

I for one hope the blog doesnt go to video. Im stationed in Belgium and couldnt access the video because its not supported in this country. I hope this is not going to be the normal because its would suck being me.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
9:06 am

Some players avoid school all together. Kobe, LeBron, Josh Smith, the difference is they could all ball. Of course, there was an adjustment period for them all, but we all saw the promise every time they were on the floor.

Teague may get there eventually, problem is The Hawks need to win now, not later. This team is no longer in rebuilding and developmental mode. Playing is college is light years from the competition level in the NBA. If you come early, you better bring that “A” Game or be prepared to sit for a while.

I really don’t care why Teague left school early, or if he plays, personally. That’s his problem not mine.

Scoop

January 26th, 2011
9:15 am

First of All, good job on the interview MC. You did seem very well informed, but I do not like that there was no mention of the amount of injuries the Hawks have had to endure. That Hornets game was the first all year without Horford and we got our lunch eaten(so to speak), but we made adjustments and owned Charlotte the very next game(back to back I might add). That is the theme of the year-making the necessary adjustments. In prior years, that kind of loss could easily have lingered for weeks, but it is different this year.

Furthermore, you talked about statistics(defensive efficiency) but the fact is that the Hawks have as many road wins as any team in the entire NBA with 15, have played more back-to-back games so far then anyone(with a 9-4 record) and have an impressive 14-8 record at home. Considering all the injuries I do not think the season could be going any better and the Hawks are playing their best ball right now(8-2 in January) and it is no coincidence that so is Joe Johnson.

Astro Joe

January 26th, 2011
9:15 am

Najeh, I would even question the scouting department if the issue is one of “fire in the belly”. Who is interviewing these guys? I would not be surprised if Teague was incapable of looking someone in the eye for more than 10 seconds during an interview. I also wonder if they bothered to check on his work ethic (which is another sign of ambition and drive). As they draft later in the first round, they have to consider more variables other than talent and physical attributes. The thing that you often find in the “draft sleepers” is ambition, work ethic and maturity. Guys like Landry Fields or Dajuan Blair may not have the physical tools but they have the intangibles to make a surprising contribution from jump start. When I watched Teague play last year and again this year, I simply don’t see the fire. He seems like the kind of guy who wants to make a great play as opposed to play great. It’s like if he gets one dunk or blocks one lay-up attempt, he is satisfied. And if that is true, that is likely one reason why he has become a borderline rotation player. I also suspect that these guys aren’t used to “not being the man”, so they may have no idea how to deal with athletic adversity. Teague was probably the best player (or real close to it) every time he stepped on the court until he reached the NBA. He may not be able to hear the coaching until he gets his bruised ego under control. Whatever the cause, dude is well on his way to a Rashard McCants/Gerald Green career.

terrell

January 26th, 2011
9:31 am

Dr. Mary, Teague couldnt of been a starter for 4 years at pg. Ishmael Smith was the starter. Teague started when Smith got hurt. Teague was the sg. And btw, just a few seconds ago, you said he left early to get paid, and now all of a sudden you dont care why he left. lol! You woulda left early too if you had 3 mill staring you right in the face. lol!

terrell

January 26th, 2011
9:33 am

And Dr. Mary, an adjustment period for some, but not Teague? Why in the hell did we draft him then, if wanted to win now? You’re confusing the heck out of me this morning.

terrell

January 26th, 2011
9:36 am

Correction: Why in the hell did we draft him then, if we were’nt going to let him develop? The Spurs are in “win now” mode. Does that stop Pop from developing players? Hell to the naw!

yeahhhh

January 26th, 2011
9:47 am

Yeah I agree with terrell!

KevinM

January 26th, 2011
9:49 am

Section 303
10:12 pm
“Najeh, don’t forget, Teague was the 19th pick in the draft. How many guys picked at #19 have really turned out”

I got curious as to how many #19s there were in the association for any amount of time…based on this list…..OUCH!

All-time NBA #19 draft picks-since Michael Jordan-#3 in ‘84
Avery Bradley-BOS
’09-Jeff Teague-ATL
JJ Hickson-CLE
Javaris Crittendon – LAL
Quincy Douby – SAC
Hakim Warrick-MEM
Dorrell Wright-MIA
Aleksandar Pavlovic-UTA
Ryan Humphrey-UTA
Zach Randolph-POR
Jamaal Magloire-CHA
Quincy Lewis-UTA
Pat Garrity-MIL
Scot Pollard-DET
Walter McCarty-NYK
Randolph Childress-DET
Tony Dumas-DAL
Acie Earl-BOS
Don McLean-DET
LaBradford Smith-WAS
Dee Brown-BOS
Kenny Payne-PHI
Rod Strickland-NYK
Ken Norman-LAC
’86-Billy Thompson-ATL
Steve Harris-HOU
Bernard Thompson-POR

Anyone remember high flyer Billy Thompson? 6 seasons, 8.5 ppg, 300 career games, and not one game played as a Hawk…traded to Lakers on draft day and won 2 championship rings. That was when the league had 7 rounds in the NBA draft also.

Not that this makes us feel any better about the future of Teague, but Utah, Detroit and Boston had their share of clunkers as well. This tells you in advance if the have the 19th slot, trade it, quickly! The odds are horrible.

Rufus1

January 26th, 2011
9:57 am

KevinM

That was a PG heavy draft, the only reason he was drafted 19th, was because of the high number of PG.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
9:59 am

Aaah… The Hawks are not The Spurs. And, Pop has never yearned for a PG and Center. Heck, he was so Lucky, he had Twin Towers his first year as Coach!

Make a better argument, Terrell. Why the obsession with Teague, he’s a millionaire, he’ll be just fine without your tears. I don’t see him complaining about any playing time.

KevinM

January 26th, 2011
10:21 am

Rufus1, what does that mean? If he wasn’t drafted that year, he would have been drafted higher? That’s what you get when you come out…you get the best slot available. As it stands now, Eric Maynor is a better PG than Teague…he is getting regular rotation minutes on an equally good or possbily better team and he has Westbrook in front of him. No excuses can be made why Teague isn’t playing here…he has the slowest, least defensive PG (perhaps Baron Davis rivals him) starting in front of him, and the guy keeping him nailed to the pine is 41st in ranking in the league? Does that mean that there are better NBDL PGs than what we have?
I think Teague should be playing more, but that doesn’t mean he would have normally been a 10th pick because that’s wrong. He was the best talent available according to Sund at that point.
My point in that like Section 303 said is how many players really come out of that slot?
Teague made a bad decision coming out that year apparently. To go to a team who has little faith in you and they pick up your option for the remaining 4 years? Sounds like he might want to turn to coaching as his future because if he stays here, it doesn’t look like much time on the court.
If I was Teague, I would possibly ask to go the D-League to get some game time in…if he truly wants to make it long term in the league.

i_am_soulstar

January 26th, 2011
10:23 am

Melo would be nice, but I’d rather the Hawks work a trade for Gerald Wallace. That is the highest quality player that fits what the Hawks are doing, and that we could obtain without having to give up JJ, Josh, or Al.

He provides a need with rebounding and defense, and with he and Josh in the starting line-up, the Hawks instantly become an improved defensive team. On top of that, the guy just makes very good decisions, which is my biggest knock on Marvin sometimes. He would put the Hawks right up there with the Celtics and Heat (IMO).

And it may be more likely to get done because the Hawks could remain under the luxury tax.

ESPN Trade Machine says we’d drop down 2 wins if you trade him straight up for Jamal, but i don’t see it happening if you bring JC2 into a consistent off the bench scoring role.

KevinM

January 26th, 2011
10:32 am

So, Iamsoulstar, you think Jordan will trade within the division to move Wallace? Doesn’t he fit there for them? If they take JC2, they take on redundancy behind Jax, who sounds like he is staying in Charlotte. I think they want more than just JC2…but we dont’ have much to help them.
I don’t think Wallace will help us with Boston or Orlando much. We need more from the PG slot to get past those 2. We need to neutralize Rondo and Nelson, and have a shot at matching up with DHoward and the starting to look deep Boston frontline….but Boston has time to get healthy too. We might even have to slow down Rose before we can consider a shot at the ECF. Joe can’t defend PGs.
We have 2 huge holes that Wallace really doesn’t help push us closer to the ECF.

kwooden1

January 26th, 2011
10:38 am

O’brien, Boston is died last in rebounding, so I don’t think that stat has much meaning! I think MC is right in that offensive and defensive efficiency is more telling.

drmaryb (*_*)

January 26th, 2011
10:44 am

terrell (don’t call me te-relle)

Hey terrell, If you’re not the lead dog? The only view is another dog’s azz.

ROF – LOL!

northcyde

January 26th, 2011
10:48 am

How ironic that another Wake Forest PG was a #19 pick ( Randolph Childress ).

To this day, he’s still put on one of the best shooting performances I’ve ever seen in a conference tournament. It was the ACC Tournament I believe in 1994 or 95, and Randolph looked like the best shooter on the planet. That dude was knocking down 3s all over the place and virtually willing Wake Forest to victories in that tourney. I remember watching him in college, and was just in awe.

He got to the pros, and couldn’t even get his shot off against the quicker PGs in the league. And he had no shot defending them. He didn’t even score a total of 125 points in his brief 2 year career in the NBA.

Here is a good write-up on Randolph along with a youtube clip of his game vs N. Carolina in that ACC Tourney. This is very good stuff. But it proves how great college players sometimes don’t pan out at all on the next level.

Rufus1

January 26th, 2011
10:53 am

KevinM

I agree Teague came out to early…what I don’t agree with some people about, is that it would be different if we drafted any of the players behind him.

What is going on with Teague is a coaching problem, no a player problem. I want people to stop blaming Teague because LD has no intention of developing him.

He doesn’t fit LD offensive system, because he isn’t a good shooter. Teague’s offensive style requires he dominate the Ball….LD’s offense is about ball movement. BIBBY PROBABLY HAS THE LOWEST % OF TIME WITH THE BALL IN HIS HANDS AND HE CAN STILL BE EFFECTIVE.

Bibby standing around waiting for the ball, is his skill set. Teague waiting around for the ball, he is not being aggressive…so when he attacks the rim, gets his shot blocked or turns the ball over..HE HAS TO RIDE THE BENCH.

Rod from College Park

January 26th, 2011
11:02 am

I have stated many times, that defense is not what has kept us from advancing in the playoffs. We have been destroyed in the second round the last two years because we can’t score. Teams double and triple Joe, leave Marvin open, and live with Josh, Al and Bibby taking jumpshots. We averaged in the high 70’s one series, and the low 80’s in another series. The Hawks are too easy to shut down by teams who really understand how to play defense. We have no player in the starting lineup who can consistently take his man off the dribble and get to the rim. Joe can, but he does not want to attack the rim for some reason. We have a team full of jumpshooters, and if the shots are not falling we will continue to be dominated in the playoffs. All we really need is a point guard or a wing player who can take his man off the dribble, and get to the lane and finish. You can’t win shooting jumpshots the majority of the time in a series.

lewis

January 26th, 2011
11:10 am

TJ Ford is available @ 8.5m expiring

he would be our best perimeter defender and averages like 39% from the 3 for his career.

Ken Strickland

January 26th, 2011
11:12 am

I’m still finding it extremely hard to believe the Atlanta Hawks are somehow better off keeping a young, quick, fast, talented, athletic PG with potential firmly attached to the bench, because he’s not considered aggressive enough on the court or in knocking LDrews door down and asking why. This is especially puzzling when the alternative is a slow, unathletic, way past his prime PG that doesn’t penetrate, play DEF, create for others, and is limited to shooting 3’s.

How can Teague be punished for not being aggressive enough on OFF or DEF, when Bibby isn’t aggressive. I wouldn’t call:
1-bringing the ball across half and routinely handing it off the either JJ or Jamal beyond the 3pt line, or
2-seldom driving into the lane or going below the 3pt line with the ball, or
3-limiting his OFF contributions to shooting 3’s, or
4-grabbing and fouling players as the blow by him being aggressive.

There’s absolutely no way you can say that an NBA PG is or has been aggressive if he’s averaged 30+MPG over the last 1.5yrs and managed to total 9.1/10PPG, and 3.9/4APG respectively.There’s definitely a reason every team, when on OFF, targets Bibby above all other Hawk players. There’s also a reason every team, when on DEF, uses whoever’s guarding him to execute double teams.

The only way for the Hawks to improve without a specific upgrade at PG is to utiliize the combined skills and talents of both Bibby and Teague, not just one or the other. It’s also amazing to me how quickly some of you are so quick to ASS-U-ME Teague doesn’t care just because he isn’t making a big issue of what’s going on. I guess based on that ASSUMTION, JJ doesn’t care about getting fouled and not getting the call, since he doesn’t make a big issue of it by arguing with the refs.

KevinM

January 26th, 2011
11:20 am

lewis, heads up….if you didn’t read Rufus1 interpretation of the LD scheme…he hits it dead on….Teague doesn’t fit here and once you see TJ Ford’s 3FG%, you know he won’t be considered:

.194 – that is horrid and no way Sund brings him in.

TJ is getting 20mpg but I gotta think their offense is much dependant on the PG, hence the Collison acquisition. That is who I wanted once CP3 was deemed healthy. I thought Indy stole one there.

Thinking more about it, the only type of PG that is coming in here to play under LD is gonna be a guy who is a jump shooter and doesn’t push the ball up the court. Why has this taken so long to sink in my noggin?

LD wants a backcourt of jumpshooters, and not one who leads the team up and down the court. He has exactly what he wants in the backcourt, and isn’t looking to improve from outside sources.

northcyde

January 26th, 2011
11:40 am

Total rebounding isn’t the most important stat about rebounding, because if you’re real good offensively, you’re normally not going to have a lot of chances to get offensive rebounds.

We were the exception last year, with our great offensive rebounding rate. But look at the teams who rank in the bottom 1/3rd in total rebounding:

BOSTON is kind of an anomoly. They’re dead last in rebounding. But that’s mainly because they’re far and away the best shooting team in the league. They’re #1 in eFG% ( and overall FG% ), but 29th in offensive rebound %.

They don’t miss as many shots as other teams, thus, they don’t get many offensive boards. We’ll see if this changes with Perkins back in the lineup, and especially when their entire frontline is healthy.

When it comes to rebounding, the big thing is DEFENSIVE rebounding.

Boston is 9th in defensive rebounding % . . and 3rd in defensive eFG%. Most of your real good defending teams, also rebound the ball well on the defensive end. This is what makes Boston tough ( and damn near unstoppable, if they can get all of their big people healthy at once ).

The Hawks currently rank 10th in defensive eFG% and 14th in defensive rebounding %. Last year, we were 16th in defensive eFG% and 24th in defensive rebounding %.

So far, we’re trending in the right direction defensively, despite all of our “issues”. But we’ll see how much this changes, when we consistently start playing better teams.

By the way . . .

Chicago, Miami, and Boston are #1, #2, and #3 in defensive rebounding %. Orlando is #7.

slimjr

January 26th, 2011
11:41 am

“Right now, Hawks are 25th in rebounding in the league. That’s horrible. ”
Josh and Marvin= major Fail in playoffs..The beatdown is coming in full force!!!!!!

25th in rebounding= no trip to ECF for the 24th consecutive year. Hawks BITE big time!!!!
Teague is a buster……………………………..No jumpshot…

Marvin, JC1,,cash,drmary”the hot chick on the pole”,1st rd. pick for DWILL yesterday…………

STRETCH

January 26th, 2011
11:49 am

The Pacers are trying to move Ford now that they feel comfortable with Price and rookie Lance Stephenson as the second and third point guards.

Ford declined the Pacers’ offer to buy out his contract for about $3 million less than his current salary last summer. He is receptive to a trade instead of spending the rest of the season on the bench.

“By making the decision (of sitting me), I would hope that’s the case,” he said. “I don’t see why it would be best for me to be here the whole year. That’s their call. Either way it goes, I’m here and I’m going to still stay ready because anything can happen at any given moment.”

No Pacer has had more of an up-and-down relationship with O’Brien than Ford. At the end of the 2008-09 season, Ford was benched in favor of Jarrett Jack. Two months into last season, Ford lost his job to Earl Watson.

Ford hasn’t been a locker room distraction, and he’s a huge supporter of Price and Stephenson.

“That’s not me. I’m not going to make it all about me,” Ford said. “Things haven’t gone the way I would have liked them to, but that’s the way it goes.”

A few weeks ago, Ford was one of O’Brien’s favorites.

O’Brien preferred to use Ford in the fourth quarter of close games over starter Darren Collison because Ford had the experience advantage.

“T.J. Ford has played very well for us,” O’Brien said. “He’s our best defender from the point guard spot. But A.J. has certain things he can do that T.J. can’t do. You have to attempt to win every game and develop a nucleus.”

Ford is averaging 5.8 points and 3.6 assists in 19.5 minutes a game this season.

“Pretty much, I understand that the time is up here,” he said. “I can just sit here. I was in the same situation last year. I’ll continue to cheer guys on because I want to see A.J. and Lance do well. They’re part of the future. Under the circumstances, I’ll still come to work every day and be professional about it.”

lewis

January 26th, 2011
11:50 am

yeah i must have been looking at someone else’s numbers, thought his 3pt% was higher

Rufus1

January 26th, 2011
11:51 am

KevinM

LD has his future PG in JC2, but he can’t tell ASG that after he promised to develop Teague. Do you any coach was going to get this job without the promise of developing Teague….HELL NO!

ASG saw what he did in the Cavs game last year and are probably convinced they got a steal at #19.

Catch22
How does LD justify give quality minutes to his real PG of the future JC2, while not giving minutes to ASG’S PG of the future….HE CAN’T, SO THEY BOTH RIDE THE PINE.

LD is probably hoping to have greater post-season success, so he can have enough leverage to trade Teague… If he can win more with Bibby as his PG, then JC2 is an easy sell(Bibby Clone)

STRETCH

January 26th, 2011
12:00 pm

Rufus,

i with you on that. I really like JC2 and his aggresiveness. Got more spunk than Teague, thats for sure!

Section 303

January 26th, 2011
12:06 pm

Najeh, I stand corrected. You’re right. Plenty of solid players have been drafted at #19 or lower. I knew that. Dumb comment by me.

As for Sund’s draft history, I guess we should not be surprised it is not that good. The guy said himself that he “does not watch much college basketball.” I’m sorry, how can you be an NBA GM and not watch much college basketball? I cringed when Sund said that.

JSS

January 26th, 2011
12:07 pm

Najeh Davenpoop
January 25th, 2011
9:00 pm
“They cannot continue to p-ss away first round picks forever. We don’t need this team to do with point guards what the Detroit Lions did with wide receivers.”

Sorry, but’s too late!