Atlanta Hawks: What got into Jeff Teague?
Since back in December I believed Teague deserved to play more because of his improved production, the team’s need for his skills, Bibby’s decline and future considerations.
But I’m not going to front and act like I saw this coming.
Teague had some good moments during the season but he’s having his best moments on the biggest stage under challenging circumstances. He’s making the MVP work to get his, which might be expected given his quickness and defensive potential.
But Teague also has been Atlanta’s most consistent offensive player, sometimes showing more poise and better sitational decision-making that his veteran teammates. I mean, he’s got five turnovers in 206 minutes, for crying out loud.
“You saw he has that it in him, you just wondered when that was going to stick around longer,” L.D. said. “What he’s shown in playoffs is that he has arrived. He’s not doing it just against anybody; he’s doing it against maybe the top point guard in this league. I really take my hat off to the fact that he’s doing it like I haven’t seen it done under those circumstances.”
What the heck got into Teague?
To J.J., who said all season that the Hawks just needed to trust in Teague, the difference is simple.
“Just minutes,” he said. “Getting the opportunity.”
To Teague, the difference has not just been playing more; it’s knowing the Hawks need him to play more.
“I would say that’s the difference,” he said. “During the season I didn’t know if I was going to play one game and if I was going to sit the next. Now, knowing that I’m going to get an opportunity to go in every game, I just try to focus and give a good effort.”
That actually makes sense when you look back at the games during the season where Teague knew he was going to play. In those games he was never really bad. Sometimes he was good, other times just OK, but there were few outright dogs among those games.
There was that game at Boston when Joe and Jamal were out, a performance marred only by four turnovers. He was pretty good the next night against Charlotte, too.
The pattern continues: Jamal missed a game at Cleveland and Teague was good in 18 minutes. The Hawks traded Bibby, Teague started four games in a row and was solid in each one–if not always efficient offensively, at least holding his own against some good point guards.
There was, of course, that game against Portland, when L.D. benched Marvin, Teague got the start and changed the game with his burst of steals and scores. Teague started the next two games against Milwaukee and Denver and was pretty good–again, holding his own if not very efficient. Same goes for the final four games of the season, when the starters shut it down and Teague played big minutes.
Mind you, Teague was never as good as he’s been during this series. But clearly he was better when circumstances meant he knew he was going to play. Perhaps that’s not the right mindset for a player with something to prove but apparently that’s the way it is for Teague.
“I think that’s for everybody,” Teague said. “When something is put against you and you know you have to do it, you focus a lot more.”
Thing is, in L.D.’s, view, that was part of the problem.
(Aside: Some of my blog people have been wondering why L.D. hasn’t been “grilled” more about why he didn’t play Teague more during the season. He’s been asked plenty; it’s just that you haven’t liked the answers. Or maybe I’m just taking the wrong approach to this thing. Who wants to roll with me when I put Drew under a bright lamp and we can do good-cop, bad-cop until he breaks down and confesses he just doesn’t like Teague?)
Each time L.D. has been asked why he didn’t play Teague more, he’s said it’s because he didn’t think he was consistent enough. I asked L.D. once again if he had any regrets about not playing Teague more often, especially since Bibby was struggling:
“No. When I took the job I brought him in here and told him I expect him to really come in here and make life tough for Mike Bibby. That’s just being competitive and fighting for a position; that’s not taking nothing away from Mike Bibby, that’s just trying to get a guy you are hoping will be your next point guard and you are hoping will groom himself to do it. That didn’t happen, and the last thing I wanted to do was just to hand it over to him. I wanted him to come in and really show that he has some fire in his belly and not just push Mike—I wanted him to take it. And knowing Mike being the veteran he is, he is going to have his ways to make sure he doesn’t let it go. It was all on Jeff. I could have very easily not said a word to Jeff and see how he responded to it. I wanted him to know to know that I believed in him, I wanted him to know that I expected him to really, really push Mike. I didn’t get the response I was looking for and, again, I wasn’t going to hand it over to him.”
As it turned out, L.D. had no choice but to give Teague the controls in this series. And with the way Teague has responded, there can be no more questions about whether Teague deserves to play point guard for this team.
“He’s been great,” J.J. said. “As long as he continues to work and get better over the summer, sky’s the limit. This will definitely be his team to run.”
Less than three months ago the Hawks made a trade because they weren’t sure about Jeff Teague. It was only two weeks ago that Teague played a bit part against Orlando, though Drew says Teague would have played more against Chicago even if Hinrich hadn’t gone down.
Now Teague has been so good that L.D. said he wasn’t sure what he would do if the Hawks advance and Hinrich is healthy enough to play.
“It gives me options,” he said. “If it’s perceived as now I’ve got a problem [because] I’ve got a young point guard played his tail off and now I’ve got Kirk coming back if we go to the next round, then I would like to have that problem. That’s a very nice problem to have.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
275 comments Add your comment
Art Vandelay
May 12th, 2011
5:18 am
Art Vandelay
May 12th, 2011
12:31 am
Wow, Rusty. Overreact much? Why resort to personal attacks against Drew (who comes across as neither dishonest, hateful nor stupid — unlike yourself) just because you don’t like the way he handled Teague this year? Grow up and try to show just a tiny bit of class.
_______________________________________________________________________
Okay, I haven’t posted here in a while because I was kind of getting into spats with people and wanted to pay closer attention to the games…
But I still lurk after every game, and I guess even said one liners here and there, including the “i never do this…. but first” the other night on one of the blogs….however, that is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone else use this handle.
Geeze, that’s weird.
Art Vandelay
May 12th, 2011
5:22 am
Also, @ Rusty, I believe a couple months ago after a game, we were both agreeing on what a crappy job LD did with Teague, and how we were both disappointed at the Hawks for how they handled JC2… and the trade for Kirk.
So I would have not have responded to you like that.
I should just start posting from a different name I guess…
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
5:45 am
“JC2 was the perfect replacement for JC1 next season.” – Dexter
I’m going to say this again. Trading JC2 and this year’s first round pick actually helps the Hawks. A rookie scale contract is more expensive than a veteran’s minimum contract, and in this incredibly weak draft we were very unlikely to draft somebody who could immediately give the team more than a veteran minimum player like Damien.
In addition, we don’t NEED a replacement for JC1 next year. I’m glad we got rid of JC2 because he’s the most inefficient first round draft pick since ADAM MORRISON who NO LONGER PLAYS IN THE NBA. We don’t need an heir apparent for somebody who shoots for a low percentage with no conscience and can’t guard anybody. Next year we will have a three guard rotation of good defensive guards: Teague, Hinrich and JJ.
With JC1 out of the picture, this team will probably win around 55 games and we won’t have the situation in Game 5 where Larry Drew played JC1 27 minutes to score 2 points and play zero defense. Zaza has the highest +/- of any Hawk in the playoffs. Zaza had 13 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes, and yet Las Vegas Larry took him out less than two minutes into the fourth quarter and sat him the rest of the game, meanwhile leaving JC1 on the court the entire 4th until he subbed out with a minute to play and the game decided. Zaza was the only Hawk in Game 5 to post a positive +/-. Las Vegas Larry knows this. He knows how to cover the spread.
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
5:54 am
“You tell me that Joe Johnson has 15 points, Jamal Crawford has two (1-for-9 shooting) and the Hawks miss 11 of 12 3-pointers and it would seem the Hawks would have zero chance to win. But guys named Teague and Zaza Pachulia helped the Hawks hang around.” – Michael Wilbon
“If anything, Drew played Crawford too much. That early 15-point deficit came about, in no small part, because Crawford allowed Keith Bogans to score roughly a week’s worth of points (that would be a total of 8 points) on three consecutive possessions. Crawford provides no value if he’s not making shots and he missed eight of his nine shots tonight.” – Bret Lagree, hoopinionblog.com
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
6:29 am
Gilk
May 12th, 2011
3:15 am
1. Sign and trade Jamal for another valuable piece that can play D
The only way this happens is if a team has what it considers a bad contract it wants to dump in exchange for JC1. I don’t believe there were any takes for JC1 at the trade deadline because he will be available to sign outright at the end of the season without giving up anything. And this playoff series has seriously damaged his earning potential for his next contract. Better for him if the Hawks lost in the first round and he was remembered for what he did against Orlando.
2. Hire a defensive-minded lead assistant for Drew, similar to when BOS hired Thibodeau to assist Doc with implementing lockdown D
Better yet, just hire Rick Adelman or Dwayne Casey and can Las Vegas Larry’s sorry ass. But Najeh is right from the previous blog. Teague has saved Las Vegas Larry’s job. Probably Sund’s too.
3. Hinrich & Marvin contracts can’t be traded, so groom these guys as top bench players.
Actually Hinrich’s expiring contract is HIGHLY tradeable, but we may not get value in return. Alot of teams will want a defensive guard for the stretch run next year, but unless we’re getting something big in return we’re better off keeping him in our rotation through the playoffs next year.
4. If at all possible, sign a free agent defensive center such as Tyson Chandler.
It’s nice to daydream about stuff like this, but a more realistic target would be Kwame Brown. Unfortunately he played so well for Charlotte this year that he is no longer a veteran’s minimum player. A more realistic scenario for landing Chandler would be a sign and trade sending Chandler to the Hawks and Joe Johnson to the Mavs.
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
6:59 am
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
5:45 am
“I’m going to say this again. Trading JC2 and this year’s first round pick actually helps the Hawks. A rookie scale contract is more expensive than a veteran’s minimum contract, and in this incredibly weak draft we were very unlikely to draft somebody who could immediately give the team more than a veteran minimum player like Damien.
In addition, we don’t NEED a replacement for JC1 next year. I’m glad we got rid of JC2 because he’s the most inefficient first round draft pick since ADAM MORRISON who NO LONGER PLAYS IN THE NBA. We don’t need an heir apparent for somebody who shoots for a low percentage with no conscience and can’t guard anybody. Next year we will have a three guard rotation of good defensive guards: Teague, Hinrich and JJ.
With JC1 out of the picture, this team will probably win around 55 games and we won’t have the situation in Game 5 where Larry Drew played JC1 27 minutes to score 2 points and play zero defense. Zaza has the highest +/- of any Hawk in the playoffs. Zaza had 13 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes, and yet Las Vegas Larry took him out less than two minutes into the fourth quarter and sat him the rest of the game, meanwhile leaving JC1 on the court the entire 4th until he subbed out with a minute to play and the game decided. Zaza was the only Hawk in Game 5 to post a positive +/-. Las Vegas Larry knows this. He knows how to cover the spread.”
————-
No disrespect intended here at all BG. But, I’m gonna completely disagree with this notion. The Hawks have had trouble landing meaningful impact players through the draft. This kid was picked at 27. For the Hawks to land a guy of JC2’s caliber at that spot? It was a steal.
Truth is, his inefficiency can’t be measured as a rookie. As a rookie, all you want these guys to do is show flashes. JC2 showed a few flashes when given the opportunity here in Atlanta. He went to Washington and really balled out. You can say he’s a volume shooter and what not, but truth of the matter is, you can’t expect rookies to come into the game, especially guys like JC2 who have no fear/hesitation in their game. Too many rookies come into the league timid and passive. I think some might argue Teague was in this boat, but I think this is moreso because of coaches short leash with the kid and he faced the pressure of ‘not messing up’ 24/7. JC2 didn’t care, he was gonna come in and try to prove something. The efficiency is something that comes with more time in the league, at least one would hope. The more he matured, developed, and grew, the smarter he’d be.
But, he didn’t get an opportunity here, and I understand it’s because we had a gaurd heavy backcourt. But, rather than handing out so many minutes to bums like Bibby and Evans, I think most Hawks fans would agree that LD should’ve been going more to guys like Teague and JC2. Had LD worked his rotations a bit better, we’d be in much better shape right now in the short term and in the long term.
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
7:16 am
Bottom line, the Hinrich deal will only prove to be successful if it gets the Hawks closer to their ultimate goal. Hinrich has another year left on his deal after this season I believe? So, unless this guy gets us closer to where we wanna be, this trade was essentially useless.
You can argue that our backcourt with gaurds that can defend will look good and all, but for what? One season? Hinrich’s like 30 I believe. He’s not getting any better, the potential for him to improve his game has passed. He doesn’t any upside for the Hawks to bank on at this point in his career. Essentially, he’s peaked. He’ll only get older, slower, and his skill set will eventually detiorate as Bibby’s did. Are you comfortable resigning an aging PG after seeing how poor a signing Sund pulled off with Bibby, who eventually was hurting this team?
Also, giving up draft picks at this point is crucial. The Hawks ownership and management group never seem to be aggressive in free agency. So, the only thing Hawks fans have to look forward to in regards of improving the team is the draft. Also, even if we were aggressive players in free agency, the likelihood that any of these top-talent or even above average free agents choose Atlanta over all of the other ‘championship contending big markets’ is slim. More guys are intrigued about playing in New York, or Miami, or Chicago, or LA, or even Dallas. Nobody really takes Atlanta seriously. So, it’s essential that the Hawks make the most out of their draft picks. Personally, giving away our 1st round selection last season + this season doesn’t sit well with me.
We all talk about going after this big and that big in the offseason, but truth of the matter is, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if this organization cuts ties with Jamal in the offseason, and did little to nothing that will truly help this team get any better. They won’t spend that extra money, they’ll just pocket it. Or, they’ll just resign Jamal and leave the team as is. We know that if we want to ever pass the likes of Miami and the other teams in the East that seem to be reloading every offseason, we’ll need to improve. So, if you’re gonna give up draft picks (as the Falcons did to acquire Julio Jones), you better play aggressively through FA to get the players this team needs (like the Falcons will do to address that defense, IMO).
truly1
May 12th, 2011
7:25 am
I watched every game played by the hawks this year. This is the same Jeff teague we have seen during the regular season. TRUST YOUR EYES!!!! LD just did not want to make a bold decision. Like coachs like Doc would have made to start Teague. There was a blogger that had a good stat on Jeff teague that when he plays more than 20 minutes we win. We have been saying it all season long FREE JEFF TEAGUE. So to act like Jeff was bad during the regular season is not true. He just like he said did not get a good opportunity to show it.
????? How would rondo look coming off the bench 8min some games and some games not even playing?????
I also played the point guard position. It is not easy coming off the bench and leading a team. Because you have to get people good shots and score 2nd. Well 4mins you are not going to see much from a player like that. That favors players like Jamal crawford.
truly1
May 12th, 2011
7:30 am
Something else LD acts like doing it his way not playing teague won us alot of games we won 9 less than last year with the same team. Dont forget Woody told bibby he would be starting teague this past season. Even though I dont believe him. you will say anything to save your job.
IceColdATLien
May 12th, 2011
7:45 am
Sometimes you can’t over-analyze things. Maybe it was just time for Teague to blow up. It’s possible he wasn’t completely ready at the beginning of the season, and that it took those various experiences during the year to prepare him for this moment. Truthfully, I don’t care at this point. We got ourselves a point guard as of now.
Don’t forget that Rondo was taking some serious heat a few years back before he blew up in the playoffs and made a name for himself. Regardless of what happens tonight or the remainder of the series, we at least know that Jeff can hang with the best of the best… even thrive against the MVP!! Like LD said, “It’s good to have this problem.”
Trojan
May 12th, 2011
7:50 am
LD and Woody have PROVEN to be the worst coaches ever at developing a PG. They don’t have a clue. They would rather have a jump shooter.
Guess what, jump shooters and jump shooting teams never win in the NBA playoffs. Larry is wasting his breath every time he speaks. His words are hypocrital and they have no credibility.
IceColdATLien
May 12th, 2011
7:53 am
Forget about the Teague thing, though, cuz that’s already worked itself out.
What drives me friggin bananas is that LD says he doesn’t want to start ZaZa because he likes the energy he brings off the bench. Of course, LD is always carping about how the Hawks start off games stagnant (a timeout 46 seconds in a playoff game? AT HOME??).
While I may be Captain Obvious here, why doesn’t Drew start Zaza and get a fire lit underneath this team straight from the gate? They can’t come out flat tonight, so LD should make sure of that by starting Zaza instead of Twin.
Much love to Twin for what he’s brought us this postseason (earned his whole contract just in the Magic series), but it’s time for Drew to lay it all out there from the jump tonight. Go with size… go with energy… go with aggression immediately and possibly jump on Chi so bad tonight that the game is effectively over before halftime.
Or he could just sit on his hands and hope things work out better than they have for 3 of the past 5 games.
Veteran Fan
May 12th, 2011
7:56 am
What an inconsistent, lazy, and overpaid Joe Johnson doesn’t realize is a more productive Teague allows Coach Drew to play Kurt more at SG and move him to SF and split time with Josh! Whoever doesn’t show up or can’t get it going goes to the bench and the other rotates in. It is about the minutes Joe and you should deserve yours too!
IceColdATLien
May 12th, 2011
8:03 am
@Veteran: It’s Kirk, not Kurt
O'Brien
May 12th, 2011
8:04 am
MC, Najeh,
Teague’s passive play was a big part of the problem. And I dont think the HC should have given him the starting job. But I think Teague deserved more consistent minutes off the bench.
The bottom line is Bibby was not getting it done. And I find it hard to believe that an ineffective Bibby who was tired, on the decline, and missing shots, and a struggling (and expiring) Jamal at backup PG was better than a “sometimes passive” Teague, who has a skill set Jamal and Bibby doesnt have.
Plus its not like we were’nt losiing games (and getting blown out) with Bibby and Jamal running the show. It would have been a better idea (imo) to give Teague a defined role and more consistent minutes to see if he improves.
And when LD talked about changing the lineup down the stretch, he never considered trying Teague with the starters? Bibby and the starters get blown out in the first half, and what does LD do? Start the same lineup the second half…SMH.
I think LD deserves more blame than Teague for the way it played out, because now we ended up trading 2 first round picks and picked up an additional $2 mil in salary for next year.
IceColdATLien
May 12th, 2011
8:05 am
also, that would be the most expensive small forward rotation in history!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
9:03 am
What Has Got Into Jeff Teague?
Child Please! Ain’t nothing got into Jeff Teague, but:
Air & Opportunity
______________
” That approach did cost us draft picks. It better not happen again. Open your mind to the possibilities coach…be like a Phil Jackson, not a Woodson. Do not be hard-headed and stubborn. In all sports for a century, you NEVER really know what a guy can do until you give him a shot. Practice is NOT the same as a game. The game brings out the best and it SHOULD. ” -columbus-
________
Funny you mention this, I was just telling my Grand-Daddy last night that some players are non-performers in practice. Like Allen Iverson said, “Practice? Is that what were talking about? Practice?”
I’m not saying this is the case with Jeff Teague, but some players shine under a bright light, on big stages and when plotted against the best of the best! Not the rest of the rest or ahall I say, Mel Kipper’s:
Best Picks Available – Lists.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
9:23 am
* or SHALL I say,
Doug
May 12th, 2011
9:32 am
you guys need to be consistant, Teague was on the bench for a reason..he looks like a 7 year old out there amongst men, he has a few good games, as compared to the years of great games by Bibby,JC1, JJ, and you guys want to make him the next MVP..he has to earn his stripes.. Any NBA player that is getting time, SHOULD be able to score at least 20 points in a game, if they can’t, they need to work on their game! don’t lower your standards. Go Hawks tonight!
Trojan
May 12th, 2011
9:33 am
Would anyone ever trust LD with another rookie? No way!
LD’s goal is to ride someone like JC. JC does not win championships, his brand of basketball only supplements.
ATLtodolavida
May 12th, 2011
9:36 am
@Columbus is exactly right. Start Zaza! Collins was great against Howard, but the Bulls don’t have Howard, remember? In this series, it’s Zaza we need.
JQP
May 12th, 2011
9:39 am
Drew coached these hawks to a solid beat down of Orlando, the same Orlando who made a complete mockery and laughingstock of our beloved hawks one year ago in the playoffs. We have pushed hard against Chicago and still have a fighting chance to win and make the ECF.
How can y’all be talking seriously that he deserves to be fired after ONE YEAR with these results already in the playoffs?
Drew’s explanation of why he didn’t just give Bibby’s job to Teague makes a lot of sense to me.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
9:41 am
Befuddled in The Huddle!
Tonight, I will be in a meeting until 9pm, but then it’s on!
Tonight we need a Doc Rivers – Esque huddle:
“Come on guys … Play together … No hero ball! We can beat these guys together, as a unit, 5 on 5! We are not going to beat them by ourselves.
Looks at Tony: You are not the jump shooting Allen!
You are the dunking Allen! rebound! defend! – Allen!
Forget the referees, it’s us against the Lakers!”
_______________
No X’s and O’s fellas, that for the regular season. These playoffs are about: wills and thrills and hills to climb, it’s about hunger and passion.
The competition is fierce! Let’s Go Hawks! Let’s Go!
doc
May 12th, 2011
9:42 am
MC, if that is where he is comong from it sounds like LD doesnt quite knows the pack mentality of the club house locker room when asking a 2nd year to take something away and then not give him the chance to do it in games. did he really think that jeff teague wanted to take on the guy who was teaching him and his mentor and embarrass him in practice? wasnt it embarrassing enough to watch bibby decline ands still watch that LD didnt have the vision to change his take on it a bit? that is what it sounds like because he really didnt give him time to gain chops against competition on the floor in games. LD you got to admit you handled it poorly and have learned from it and move on.
GMAN013
May 12th, 2011
9:44 am
What would yall think about a trade with the Thunder?
Josh Smith/Marvin Williams for Serge Ibaka/Thabo Sefolosha/Nick Collison
For the Thunder they would be getting two pieces to add to an already young and athletic team with one having the potential to become an All-Star with the right coaching. Marvin might finally be able to breath again with a different team. Maybe Scott Brooks could light a fire under Marvin. A frontcourt of Smith and Perkins would be dangerous for the Thunder!
For the Hawks Serge would be our energy, hustle, rebounding, shotblocking center to replace what Josh brought us. Thabo Sefolosha would be our starting SF that provides energy, defense, slashing and cutting. Nick Collison would be our backup PF to provide energy, hustling, and rebounding.
THUNDER:
C-Perkins/PF-Smith/SF-KD/SG-Harden/PG-Westbrook
HAWKS:
C-Ibaka/PF-Horford/SF-Sefolosha/SG-Johnson/PG-Teague
Bench:
C-Pachulia/PF-Collison/SF-Wilkens/SG-Crawford/PG-Hinrich
All the salaries match. What do yall think???
Rusty
May 12th, 2011
9:48 am
Ld never takes blame, tries to talk his way out of every thing.
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
9:51 am
“Hinrich’s like 30 I believe. Essentially, he’s peaked. He’ll only get older, slower, and his skill set will eventually detiorate as Bibby’s did. Are you comfortable resigning an aging PG after seeing how poor a signing Sund pulled off with Bibby, who eventually was hurting this team?”
Wabe, very thoughtful posts. I know I push buttons when I talk about JC2 just as I do when I assert that Nique for Danny Manning was a good trade. But as far as your question above, I haven’t said anything about re-signing Kirk. The Hawks’ initial signing of Mike Bibby coincided with our emergence as a playoff team. It was the RE-SIGNING of Bibby for an absurd amount in the twilight of his career that I disagreed with.
Contending teams have alot of players around 30 who have “peaked.” They have multiple players who make an impact at both the offensive and defensive end. This describes Kirk, as long as he has a healthy contract year.
His expiring $8 million contract is also a significant trade asset. This is especially the case because he can still play, unlike Bibby. It’s easier to trade an $8m expiring contract when the player being traded is still a contributor. Bibby would have had an expiring contract next year but would be vastly less attractive to potential trade partners.
So trading two first round picks for Kirk is Sund, as Najeh said, saving Las Vegas Larry from himself. It’s also essentially putting the Hawks all in to try to win now as opposed to developing players who might be significant contributors years from now. The initial signing of Bibby was brilliant. The initial signing of Kirk has helped this team, which probably would not have made it out of the first round without him.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
9:54 am
I liked that Adam Morrison analogy to describe what Jordan Crawford may become. I have heard similar comments about, Jimmer Fredette.
An unbelievable shooter in college that may not necessarily translate to the NBA.
This Jimmer guy was like “Bieber Fever”. Personally, I have never heard Justin Bieber sing, nor have I seen Jimmer Fredette play a basketball game. But, unless you live in a cave or under a rock? You hear things.
NBA scouts say, Jimmer Fredette is too small to get his shot off against NBA defenders and his game does not spell D E F E N S E.
Here’s my point: I could care less how many points Jordan Crawford score or if it takes him 27 attempts to score 25 points. Can he play some remarkable DEFENSE? And, can he score against the Bulls?
Answer: Who knows? But, I seriously doubt it. Let’s move on people, I doubt if we just traded MJ, Kobe or LeBron.
Power/Size/Strength/Skills and a whole brain.
ken
May 12th, 2011
9:54 am
As a 40 years Bulls/nba fan, I want the bulls to win. But I got to tell you atl fans. You have a really good team, and i think your coach is solid. If we (bulls)lose, I wont be too upset. The hawks have some really good players. I am so impressed with Josh smith, and with of course teagues and Joe johnson. I would take any of them on the Bulls in a second.This is a classy organization with classy fans, I enjoyed reading your blogs. One final thing, the hawks are a lot closer to a championship than i think you guys know. One more solid player, and they will be the team to beat in the NBA.
b
May 12th, 2011
10:01 am
i bet you if the Hawks had Larry Drew, jr., then LD would have played him at point guard.
You can be sure if he didn’t play Drew,jr., then if his wife would have forced him to play him.
Poor Teague. Too bad he’s not LD’s son.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
10:06 am
Deputy of Consistency!
“you guys need to be consistant, …”
-doug-
____________
This from a guy who clearly can not spell the word: consistent – consistently. People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones.
Rusty
May 12th, 2011
10:06 am
Drmaryb you are falling into the same trap that you did with jt & ld. Jc2 has all ready proved him self to be a real player against the top played in the world. He has the killer instincts, the outside shot& great ability to jump & get anywhere on the court he desires. His defensive play is on the par with any rookie in he NBA. How you try to compare him with unathelic players is a joke.
O'Brien
May 12th, 2011
10:09 am
Thanks for stopping by ken. If the Bulls win the series. I will be pulling for them to beat Maimi.
doug,
How confident are you in Marvin’s ability to score 20 points in a game?
doc,
Exactly. There was no excuse for Teague not playing well defensively. But I can understand his timidness and lack of “take control” on offense. Bibby deferred to JJ all the time, and the entire team looks to JJ. Teague was doing the same thing, deferring to JJ and Jamal all the time.
Rusty
May 12th, 2011
10:11 am
Drmaryb I just wish that your boy JJ would give us what jc2 was doing, we would have won this round already
Luke Cage
May 12th, 2011
10:13 am
What got into Jeff Teague????? PLAYING TIME!!!
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
10:13 am
“How can y’all be talking seriously that he deserves to be fired after ONE YEAR with these results already in the playoffs?” – JQP
Game 5 Zaza has 12 points and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes and sits the 4th quarter where the game was decided. JC1 is 1-for-9 with two points in 27 minutes and plays the entire 4th quarter. Any more questions?
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
10:16 am
The Same?
“Drew coached these hawks to a solid beat down of Orlando, the same Orlando who made a complete mockery and laughingstock of our beloved hawks one year ago in the playoff” -JQP-
____________________
You Got Jokes?
This Orlando team is night and day from the team that blew the Hawks off the map. You would have to live under a cold, wet rock not to know this.
MistaGamer
May 12th, 2011
10:24 am
Rusty,
What you didn’t say about JC is that he will absoutely and unapologetically hold the offense hostage. He thinks he is entitled to do whatever everytime he even touches the ball, and consistently takes some horrible shots, whether they somehow go in off the bank or not. And on nights when he’s shooting you out of the game (which is a 50-50 proposition) their is nothing else that he brings to the table that has a positive affect on the team. He’s not a great passer, his defense is terrible, he’s not an energy guy, and he doesn’t get any rebounds.
And saying that this veteran’s defense is on par with that of a rookie?? Wow, did you really just throw that out there as some check mark in the pros’ column???
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
10:26 am
“Drmaryb I just wish that your boy JJ would give us what jc2 was doing, we would have won this round already.” – rusty -
__________________
First of all, JJ is not “my boy”. Second of all if JJ was jacking up 28 shots per game, he would not be all All-Star playing team ball. He would be a jack-ass playing for a perennial loser team:
See Wizards, Clippers, Timberwolves.
How many shots do you see the BIG 3 in Boston taking?
BTW, I’m not going to go back and forth with you on this tired topic.
You really need to either get over Jordan Crawford, or go join him on the Wizards blog.
We Hawks fans are in round 2 game 6, we have more important things to talk about. Sorry.
jeff teague cult leader
May 12th, 2011
10:28 am
Welcome to the the teague league and cult following, where teague is the word of today. sir teague is our savior. without teague we would be lost. teague is everything, let teague reign teague! teague! teague!
Kaye
May 12th, 2011
10:29 am
LETS GO HAWKS! ECF HERE WE GO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTY074F6Oio
doc
May 12th, 2011
10:32 am
MC, it also looks like the game has slowed down for teague if you know what i mean. a sportscaster in the city alluded to teague before the playoffs as being a guy who had energy but it wasnt focused in the right direction. that had been my impression of him from time to time. he looks very much in the game and doing what is necessary during this series.
rose has had to work hard to get his points and that may be to his benefit if they move to miami as they dont have guards that can contain him unless wade is given the task. so he should really be ready to light things up.
yes buddy, and their young active bigs were eating us alive, especially gibson. thibs found the line up he wanted on the floor, saw it was working and low and behold left them in there. LD never countered and only asked his guys to stay the course, he choked and they choked.
thanks ken for the comments, i like the bulls as well. i am afraid you will be in the way for anything this organization wants to do along with the heat in the future, that is the reality. you are a bit different than “fear the deer” that came on here last year. heh heh, he isnt back this year. i hope he is a baseball fan, too or he is going crazy right now.
jeff teague cult leader
May 12th, 2011
10:35 am
let us chant his name again teague, teague, teague. Your babies will be born future hall of fame basketball player. now that we have teague Comm. Stern will allow the Refs to call fouls in our favor. Charles barkley will now talk positively about our team. No wait I think he gonna predict a series victory for us. No he will say we will win it all. TEAGUE TEAGUE teague teague……God, Jesus, Teague
jeff teague cult leader
May 12th, 2011
10:39 am
Let us all drink from the fountain Teague. Get drunk on Teague. Wke up tomorrow with a teague hangover.
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
10:41 am
Somebody drank the Jeff Teague Kool-Aid.
Ken Strickland
May 12th, 2011
10:41 am
LDrew said he didn’t want to just turn the starting job over to Teague, but he had no problem just turning it over to Bibby, who consistently hurt the team as both an OFF and DEF liability. He still making lame excuses, rather than admit he shares Woodson’s stupid bias against younger guards.
He also shares Woodson’s stupid idea that OFF is more important than good DEF. That’s why both HC’s insisted on playing Bibby and Jamal major mins over superior DEF players like Damien and Teague, when it was obvious DEF, not OFF, was needed. Other than those 2 quirks, LDrew is head and shoulders better than MWoodson as a HC.
I wonder how MWoodson feels now after watching his assistant of 6yrs successfully navagate through the playoffs using many of the strategies, adjustments and changes that were obviously prosented to him by LDrew, and ultimately rejected? I would love to hear what Woodson has to say about the emergence of JTeague. Would he have started him in place of the injured KHinrich, and given him the extended mins he’s currently receiving and turned the OFF over to him?
jeff teague cult leader
May 12th, 2011
10:41 am
Let us become addicted to teague. Over dose on teague. Go to rehab and right a book about our addiction to teague. Appear on Oprah and cry about teague.
Rusty
May 12th, 2011
10:42 am
I hate to disagree with you as I have with ld & jt who you said was crap. You also said ld was the coach & he knew what he was doing,ha,ha how dumb. Also JJ having a good year & being a great asset to thevteam this year is as much a joke as saying ld has had a great year. You are just as stubborn as I am in my beliefs,maybe more so stop throwing stones just because we disagree. I don’t tell you to grow up.
doc
May 12th, 2011
10:42 am
maybe at the end of the season LD can look abck and say finally; “in the heat of things i didnt see some things well and you know, i got it wrong about teague among some other things. none of us get it rioght all the time it is better to learn from our mistakes. i have learned from it and maybe a stronger coach as i have learned more about personalities and how to manage them or make the better expectations. i promise you it wont happen again. it i had been smarter it might have made my job easier and the team might have been even better than it was.”
that said, maybe it would then allow a few of the players to say some of the same things about their own games, like josh, jj, marvin, jamal and al. the guys who has grown the most are zaza and teague. when is jj going to take responsibility?
jeff teague cult leader
May 12th, 2011
10:44 am
Teague is the way to the truth and the light. whew, I’m all teagued out!