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
FawnHall
May 12th, 2011
10:55 am
I’m not going to mince words this morning. Jeff Teague should offered the starting point guard job and the other point guards should be sitting on the bench waiting in line. JEFF TEAGUE HAS OUTPLAYED DERRICK ROSE FOR MUCH OF THE SERIES. SHOULD TEAGUE START NEXT SEASON, HE HAS A CHANCE TO BE THE LEAGUE MVP. Teague can help the Hawks win the NBA championship if Teague can keep us his steller play. THE HAWKS NEED TO STOP TURNING THE BALL OVER. THE HIGHLIGHT FACTORY HAS BECOME A TURNOVER FACTORY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY TURNOVERS FOR A PLAYOFF TEAM THAT IS TRYING TO ADVANCE. IN FACT HAD THE HAWKS NOT TURNED THE BALL OVER SO FAR IN THIS SERIES WITH THE BULLS, THE HAWKS WOULD HAVE ALREADY WON THE SERIES.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
11:03 am
Southern Hospitality!
Ken from Chicago. Welcome to the Hawks Blog. I enjoyed your comments, your Bulls are a exciting team and the play beautifully as a unit even with Rose taking most of the teams shots in the paint.
The nest thing about the Bulls, is their commitment ti defense, offensively they could share the ball more evenly and you never want your PG to take 32 shots at the risk of not facilitating others into the offwnse. But, they way you guys are built, you really have no other choice and will go as far as Dereck can take them.
Next year will be scary, because you will have more offensive weapons.
Rose is a rare and special player. Very humble and classy young man. He was reared right, hats off to his Mother.
KevinM
May 12th, 2011
11:26 am
What Has Got Into Jeff Teague?
MC, come on man! You know JT has not done anything to deserve 23DNPs-LD and 10 min in the first playoff series. LD has a grudge on this kid and like someone said earlier, LD likes jump shooters. He has a one track approach, and still JT isn’t assured of any future PT.
I question LD for that almost fatal mistake. You think JT was offered to leave with Bibby to the Wiz? I would not be surprised…good thing they had John Wall. Sund would have kept Mo Evans..anyone heard from him btw?
DMB, let me get this straight…you haven’t heard the ‘Beiber’? Baby, baby oh! You’re talking about the all-star celebrity MVP this year?
Anyway….i digress….
Now everyone be honest, once we signed Joe to that Brinks truck deal, there was no need for JC2. He wasn’t going to get any minutes, and JC2 doesn’t have a lot of defense in him. He may be a good player for the Wiz, but IMO, he will be easily defended and his height.
You think the Joe deal is not so good today? Wait til 2014 when he is not at his peak any longer. To get to the Finals…it better happen now.
And if you have listened to Cowherd this am…..the whole lineup has already annointed Chicago and Miami matchups. Talk about ‘nil respect!
This team, led by Joe, HAS to be an all-star the next 2 games. It’s all about Joe from this point forward. No more excuses.
Have we peaked with the core? I say yes.
Daniel
May 12th, 2011
11:33 am
Nice article MC: Of course hindsight is always 20/20, but no one can fairly claim to have seen THIS kind of performance out of Jeff Teague. Many have wanted more development and playing time (same people who believed Acie Law and Salim Stoudemire were future All Stars). Sometimes in life and in sports “comes the moment, comes the man”, and really there is nothing else you can say about it.
Najeh: You are being unfair to LD about Marvin. A)He has benched Marvin a lot this season. B) Absolutely, a coach should have different standards for different players. This may be the most vital aspect of Phil Jackson’s success.
I have not been a big supporter of LD as many of you know, but I do have to say that just as much as Teague has been a revelation this playoffs, so has his coaching ability.
The fact that Teague is turning in a special performance and therefore there are questions to be asked why no one saw it coming is a good problem to have. So is having Hinrich coming off the bench instead of Bibby and JC2.
Sometimes it is better to lucky than good, and the Hawks are way passed due for a little luck.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
11:33 am
* multiple typos .. Blackberry has very small keyboard.
Sorry
ATLtodolavida
May 12th, 2011
11:34 am
Jamal? Are you there? Come in Jamal. We need you to start playing again. Remember, like against Orlando.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
11:43 am
KevinM
I know it sounds crazy, man. But, I am a huge Sports Talk Radio listener, have been for some 20 years. Musically, I have my CD collection.
In the office I play Classical or Jazz only.
I never listen to radio (too much advertisement & yelling).
I watch very little TV or Movies. I read a ton of books.
I blog way too much, its my current obsession.
I write a ton of medical reports – literally.
I never heard Bieber sing a song. Sorry.
Double Zero Eight
May 12th, 2011
11:48 am
A chance to play in meaningful games without
looking over his shoulder.
Nate ArchiBALL
May 12th, 2011
11:57 am
How many of you thought the Hawks would be in this position at the All Star break?
dacheesecakeman
May 12th, 2011
12:03 pm
yup, the Hawks needs to trust and play Teague more. Is Teague going to play every game stellar? No. Is Teague going to make mistake here and there? Yeah, and so will the rest of the Hawks. So Teague has made a name for himself which forces the hand of management next year to play Teague.
Nate ArchiBALL
May 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
Way to Go Arthur Triche…..Glad to see the NBA corrected the stats from game five and awarded Josh three blocks. The CHI stat crew credited Josh with zero blocks. I think one was incorrectly given to AL as his blocks went from 3 to 2.
Rufus1
May 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
LD IS EMBARRASSED AND HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
BIBBY WAS STARTING OVER TEAGUE, YOU CAN’T JUSTIFY THAT AND THE TRADE FOR JC2.
He promisewd to develop Teague in order to get the job and turned into a “PUMPKIN LIAR” at midnight.
The only reason Teague is playing because he has NO CHOICE!!!… That is great coaching to your best playoff performer has been riding the bench.
Sleepy
May 12th, 2011
12:14 pm
Rufus1 you assume a lot and you know what they say about assuming things
SylviaSheppard
May 12th, 2011
12:24 pm
Calling Earth to Jamal. Come in Jamal. Are you in today. Jamal Crawford – Do you remember receiving the SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD last year. Do you get that trophy or was I just deaming. Did you not average 19 points off the bench per game last year. LISTEN, DUDE, WE DONT NEED FOR YOU TO SCORE 50 TONIGHT, WE JUST NEED FOR YOU TO SCORE YOUR AVERAGE.
JerryWest
May 12th, 2011
12:26 pm
Look at the comments on MC’s December post. (Click on the first word of this article). Everyone was chewing out LD for not playing JT.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
May 12th, 2011
12:30 pm
“Not the rest of the rest or ahall I say, Mel Kipper’s:
Best Picks Available – Lists.”
Rufus1
May 12th, 2011
12:33 pm
Sleepy-
One of the reason’s Woody was fired because they wanted a young PG developed and if I am not mistaken, Gearson said that. After 6 years of coaching, 2 1st rd PG’s and watching Bibby in the playoffs last year, no way you get this Job without promising to develop Teague.
Wouldn’t you be embarrassed if you just cost you company millions(3mil the value of the 1st rd pick and the money it will cost for JC2 replacement) when you already had the solution, BUT-JUST-DIDN’T-TRY-IT!!!
I don’t call that an assumption…I call it a reasonable pattern of thought. It would make me look incompetent, so I would be embarrassed to admit I made a mistake.
SteveW
May 12th, 2011
12:40 pm
Taking the job from Mike Bibby and getting 15 mpg of regular rotational minutes are two different things.
JT got neither.
LD is incompetent, terribly so in this instance.
Done decent in the playoffs however..
PaulCrieder
May 12th, 2011
12:41 pm
I know from reading the blogs that many fans are nervous that the Hawks guards wont score enough points tonight. JJ had only 15 in last game and Jamal had a PALTRY 2 points. Well guess what Joe and Jamal, go ahead and sleepwalk tonight-WE DONT NEED YOUR SCORING. There is a NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN AND HIS NAME IS JEFF TEAGUE. Jeff Teague will bail you guys out tonight. Jeff will reach into his bag of tricks and score 50 points tonight to help extend the Hawks series with the Bulls to seven games. So JJ and Jamal, dont worry yourselfs about scoring. In fact dont even get off the bus tonight if you dont want to. Teague has your backside and then some. This brilliant young man is the most talented point guard to come into the league since hall of famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald. JT has an opportunity to become at least as good as Nate was.
SteveW
May 12th, 2011
12:45 pm
Best Centers in the East:
Dwight
Noah was hurt for almost half the season
Bogut was down this year
Bargnani? Lopez? No rebounds and not much D between them
Hibbert? Nah
That leaves Al.
And that’s why Al is an All Star. Not hard to understand.
But it’s not because he’s unbelievably awesome or anything.
Solid and fundamentally sound, yes. But not incredible.
Probably an 18 and 10 guy at some point in his career. Solid
SteveW
May 12th, 2011
12:47 pm
MC – “(…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?)”
I think you have about 1,000 volunteers
brigadierjerry
May 12th, 2011
12:47 pm
Interesting stat that since 2000 this is the first time the NBA wont have a Shaq,Kobe, Tim Duncan in the finals as far as players who were in multiple finals since early 2000. You can count the 2004-2005 Pistons team as well but they were more the some of their parts. Shows that things are changing old school being replaced by the new school
SteveW
May 12th, 2011
12:48 pm
No way LD puts Teague in against Bibby and look like the ultra idiot if he can help it.
SteveW
May 12th, 2011
12:52 pm
I actually understand LD’s point. It was just a stupid premise to begin with. And when someone starts out with a stupid premise and then stubbornly klings to it, you get warped results.
Which is what we got.
Of course Teague should earn it. Of course Teague should play with fire.
But an 80% Teague, who only played 100% some of the time – like Josh, JJ, Jamal, etc., was still way better than a 100% Bibby, and everybody could see that.
But start out with a stupid premise and not change, you get stupid results.
Only an injury got Teague a chance.
Remember, LD was still not sure if he was going to start Teague until the day before Game 1.
terrell
May 12th, 2011
1:16 pm
Told yall bout Teague a long time ago MC. lol. And btw, the Hawks better not GIVE this game to Chicago. Better make em come in here and EARN it. Thats all I have to say.
KevinM
May 12th, 2011
1:17 pm
SteveW, way too many good points….where do I start?
JT wasn’t going to get a shot without a drastic rash of fatalities, which is what happened.
Now, let’s go forward….the only factor that keeps JT off the floor now? His ability to sustain his head coach.
Folks, we aren’t looking at a Rondo/Doc relationship here….and think about it, weren’t both Woody and LD running gunners? I think neither was shy nor willing to share the ball…LD looks for a gunning guard to be his PG.
This may not bode well for this team going forward either. It is all about JT, because he has the talent. He has convinced so many of us already.
Now LD, you want a project? Figure out how to get a consistent contribution out of 70K/game Marvin. That hurts a salary capped roster.
terrell
May 12th, 2011
1:22 pm
“I didnt know if I was going to play one game and sit the next.” That says it all. That fall on the HEAD COACH(S). Period! Watch and learn my azz. Gotta play to get better. Hope LD and Woody can learn from this. Might help em in the future, IF THEY EVER GET ANOTHER GIG.
terrell
May 12th, 2011
1:25 pm
“The last thing I wanted to do was just hand it over to him.” But you continue to just hand Marvin a starting job?? Wtf ever.
Dr. Warren
May 12th, 2011
1:27 pm
I have no doubt that best buddies Teague and Jordan Crawford will team together on the East All-Star team within the next 3 or 4 years.
Sautee
May 12th, 2011
1:36 pm
KevinM,
“and think about it, weren’t both Woody and LD running gunners? I think neither was shy nor willing to share the ball…LD looks for a gunning guard to be his PG.”
In ‘82-83 Drew averaged 8.1 assists for the season. HTF is that unwilling to share the ball?
It’s fine to not like Drew but there’s no need to make sh!t up about him.
tidog
May 12th, 2011
1:37 pm
The coach has an archaic mindset to believe a rookie is a deer in headlight playing at the NBA level.
Look around the league and you’ll see the league is getting younger. Many of the young league guys are competing with the same guys from high school, college, AAU circuit etc. Example, Teague recalls playing AAU with Rose. Many players attend to major universities in power conferences so they are used to the big stage and highest competition. The NBA is just the next expected progression for them. They are ready and it’s some but not all coaches that have the archaic thought about the rookie being ready to compete on the NBA stage. The bias of the past and present ATL coach has had a negative effect on many of their first year players.
cp
May 12th, 2011
1:39 pm
I think Teague is playing well because he knows he can play without looking over his shoulder. A lot of times it seemed like he was playing not to make mistakes and in doing so he made mistakes. It was times he was pulled as soon as he made one mistake. He was also playing very passive. When he knew he was going to get minutes he produced. LD just makes up things as he goes. He could have been playing Teague and even Jordan when Bibby and Mo were on the court giving the team nothing. I doubt Teague would even be playing if Hinrich was healthy. LD said Hinrich was the starter as soon as the trade was made. Seems like LD does hand out starting jobs when he wants.
Mike is back
May 12th, 2011
1:47 pm
MC, LD comments makes me wonder if the lofty goals he set for Teague had more to do with his personal experience as a player…as opposed to coaching philosophy…we have seen great players like MJ and Magic struggle with that.
Those seem like unrealistic goals for one player on your team…Didn’t LD play the PG position…why would LD set those lofty goals for one player…instead of the entire team…makes you go hmmmmmmmm.
However, LD wasn’t alone…it was Big Dawgs on the blog…that felt the same way.
I think in the end…it worked out GOOD FOR both of them…AND THAT’S A GOOD THING…if you are a Hawks fan.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James on Pharr Rd
May 12th, 2011
1:52 pm
Teague is because of Management choices:
I will be the first to admit that in spite of JT flashes of potential during the season, I didn’t see any of this coming. What alarms me at this time though;had the Wizards asked for JT instead of JC2, my pessimism says the GM would have let him go in a second. Because of this, and more, there is no way Rock Suund comes back next season. This is more than a coaching decision- maybe a phone call from upstairs telling the head coach(s) to play the draft pick was long overdue…..
I think playing your rookie talent is important in justifying picks-JC2,JT, but then the outliers called Marvin &Sheldon Williams and somewhat Josh Childress whom I favored somewhat..
Nate ArchiBALL
May 12th, 2011
1:58 pm
When you pay / owe someone $30+ million over the life of a contract (Marvin) believe me he will start over someone making less. Those are just the economics of the NBA. Probably the same reason why LD had to start Kirk over Jeff……
James on Pharr Rd
May 12th, 2011
1:59 pm
^Suund has got to go alongside his idealism. @ Superiorblogman has always blown this blog up with the idea that we were 2 or 3 players away-maybe he knows much more than the traditionalists kept saying in terms of blowing the team up this year. I think we have some options coming our way with Teague’s emergence and I cannot wait win, lose or draw against the Bulls.
GT Alum
May 12th, 2011
2:07 pm
I understand what LD said about wanting Teague to take the job instead of just handing it to him, and I was disappointed that Teague didn’t do it before the season or early in the season.
The main thing that irks me about this is that LD let his GM overpay to get Captain Kirk without finding out what he had in house. That’s extremely poor management principles as far as I’m concerned.
No, Teague hadn’t taken the job, but Bibby had obviously lost the job, so it was time to give the job to Teague and see if you have someone in house that can do the job before you send 2 first round draft picks for another PG.
Sleepy
May 12th, 2011
2:10 pm
Rufus1 – again these are all assumptions just as the assumption is that Teague wouldve played this way if he wouldve started the entire year . Thats basically you rewriting history in hindsight.
Instead of trying to blame LD for everything how about putting the blame exactly where it belongs on JEFF TEAGUE . Our pgs have the least amount of responsibility in the league behind the Lakers PG’s so the question turns to why didnt Teague bring this earlier on a consistent basis because all weve asked him to do was defend be aggressive and take care of the ball. ?
Instead you have these same bloggers who created basically the disaster known as Marvin Williams now trying to do the same to Teague .
Im with LD 1000% and he should give all of you the finger because if someone (WOODY) wouldve ignored all the blame everyone else but Marvin cries that have gone on around here for years and forced Marvin to understand that there is a certain level of focus and intensity you need to play with to see the starting lineup well then Marvin wouldve been better off.
JeJe
May 12th, 2011
2:14 pm
From ESPN:
“This can be the determining factor of whether we go home or not,” Smith said. ”
Very good, Josh! Lose tonight and the season is over. Very good job figuring that out
SMDH
JeJe
May 12th, 2011
2:15 pm
STOP ACTING LIKE THE PRESSURE IS ON CHICAGO
THE PRESSURE IS ON EVERYONE
WIN OR GO HOME
Full Speed
May 12th, 2011
2:21 pm
Jeff Teague!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHfVmIw1Hqw
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
2:25 pm
DUI
And your point? -wink-
cobbdawg
May 12th, 2011
2:32 pm
Commendable job by Drew and the Hawks to this point, but the first call after our last game (whenever that is) should be to Doc Rivers. Doc knows his Celtics are aging, he would get a younger Hawks team to build around…and would turn Teague into Rondo v2…
J from the A
May 12th, 2011
2:38 pm
Horford named to all NBA Third team …
Little Fawkers
May 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Dear Joe Johnson,
EARN YOUR MONEY TONIGHT!!!!!
J from the A
May 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Joe was replaced by Manu for the all NBA Third Team SG slot.
terrell
May 12th, 2011
2:40 pm
Ok Joe Johnson. This is why they pay you the big $. Need your best effort tonight. Anything less is unacceptable. It’s WIN OR GO HOME. Prove your worth.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 12th, 2011
2:47 pm
Props to Al. Now please bring some of that All NBA 3rd Team form to Philips tonight.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
May 12th, 2011
2:59 pm
drmaryb,
I thought maybe you knew. Mel Kiper, Jr. is a draft analyst for ESPN.
A kipper is a kind of fish. Or maybe you were throwing a “red herring”.
Sautee
May 12th, 2011
3:02 pm
Wow. I’m a Horford fan, but to me, while he’s solid, there’s no way he’s All-NBA yet.
I am shocked. I hope he plays like it tonight.
Mary Ellen, I’m home. *hint*