Atlanta Hawks: Drew says Teague still the starter once Hinrich returns
Milwaukee–Kirk Hinrich says he will practice tomorrow in San Antonio. If all goes well, he plans to play Wednesday at the Spurs.
“I’m excited,” he said. “It’s just a matter of how sore it will be the next day [after practice].”
Once Hinrich is activated, the Hawks will have to make a roster move. The candidates to be released are Ivan Johnson, Donald Sloan, Jannero Pargo and Jerry Stackhouse. Chances are it won’t be Ivan so probably one of the guards will go.
Larry Drew said the plan is to “work [Hinrich] back in slow” as he gets his wind back and becomes accustomed to banging around again. And . . . (drum roll) Hinrich will come off the bench and Jeff Teague will remain the starting point guard.
“At this point, I am going to stay with that I have,” Drew said. “Jeff has shown that he deserves it. He has done a really good job for us. As of right now, I am just going to keep it as is.”
Now I know some of my blog people are going to seize on “as of right now” and cite it as proof of a conspiracy in which Drew will reduce Teague’s role even if he’s playing well. There was a similar uproar when Drew said way back when that he hadn’t decided if Hinrich would start when he returned. (Personally, I thought Drew sidestepped that question because he didn’t want to say Hinrich would be a reserve until he had to, not because he wanted to trap door Teague.)
When Teague had a couple bad games around the time of Drew’s comments, some fans connected the dots. For what it’s worth, I don’t know that Teague even saw Drew’s comments. I will let you in on a secret and tell you these guys tend not to read anything everything I write. Yeah, I know: I can’t believe it, either. How could they not eat this stuff up?
But if Teague did see Drew’s comments and that’s the reason he suddenly got passive, are you cool with that? Are we now to the point where each time Teague has a bad game, it’s Drew’s fault because he didn’t say enough nice things about him? Do you think because Teague got a raw deal in the past, he should get a pass any poor performances now?
I understand the anxiety among fans because of the history of Hawks point guards in general and specifically Drew’s mystifying reluctance to give Teague a larger role last season. I know there is still bitterness among my blog people that Teague only really got his chance because Hinrich went down, and so you are sensitive to any sign that Drew might send Teague back to the end of the rotation.
But now don’t go the completely the other way and say Teague is beyond reproach and Drew should make a point of praising him or go out of his way to avoid criticizing him. Teague is a pro. He has to earn his keep, which he’s doing quite nicely. He doesn’t need to be coddled.
Now, having said that, Teague does often cite the confidence he got from coaches and teammates as key to his break out against the Bulls last spring and his strong start this season. He also said he delivered against Chicago because there were no other options. It was all on him.
So, with that in mind, is Drew concerned that Teague may start looking over his shoulder once Hinrich is available?
“I don’t worry about it,” Drew said. “Maybe that is something I need to talk to him about. But that shouldn’t be a concern. We are all trying to have a common goal and that is the success of this team. I don’t think you should be concerned about your teammate. If you are going to be concerned, be concerned about the guy you are going against, you know what I’m saying? That makes more sense.
“Both guys are going to be playing substantial minutes. Whether one starts or one doesn’t, that shouldn’t be a real concern. Whether you are a starter or come off the bench your role doesn’t change at that position. Both guys have to run the club.”
Drew said he also would consider eventually using a lineup with Hinrich at shooting guard and Joe Johnson at small forward.
“I am going to look at all my possibilities,” he said. “But for right now I am going to stick with what works.”
Notes
- The Hawks aren’t enamored with the available free-agent centers and their trade options are limited. Look for them to make a run at Kenyon Martin when FIBA releases him from his Chinese contract once the Xinjiang Flying Tigers wrap up their season late next month. Martin is undersized and not much of a shooter but he’s a good defender and finishes strongly around the basket.
- Al Horford says “Maybe” to future as players union rep.
- The Hawks say they will travel about 10,500 miles on this trip. The AJC will not. The higher-ups decided that neither I nor Chris Vivlamore will be in San Antonio or Toronto. As of right now (see what I did there?), the AJC will staff all other Hawks road games.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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107 comments Add your comment
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
5:48 pm
I co-sign that too vava!!
Geemack
January 23rd, 2012
5:52 pm
@For Real
So you really thing Orl. will throw away their season with that trade?
They could get the starting All-Star center (Bynum) from the West and still be one of the better teams in the east.
Rod from College Park
January 23rd, 2012
5:55 pm
Rufus1,
Kenyon to me is like Josh. He is a great help side defender. Man to man, he is a good defender against 4’s, but he can’t hold up in the paint against true centers, and he is not a great rebounder. To me Ivan, if he gets the minutes, can give what Kenyon would give.
Joe Mama,
“According to MC and the NBA Josh is one of the very best finishers in the NBA and I do believe he is a better finisher than K mart.”
I’m a Josh fan, and if he ain’t dunking, he misses a lot of easy layups. Josh needs a lot of work finishing around the rim. He misses a ton of layups. He also never tries to dunk in a crowd anymore. Kenyon finishes stronger than Josh, and Horford for that matter. I don’t have any stats, just going by what I see.
EmirS.
January 23rd, 2012
5:57 pm
“I like Hinrich in the 2 in lineups he be really good at guarding D-Wade” -Nathan
I don’t think we play the Miami Heat everyday. I could be wrong though.
Anyways, Kirk can guard both guard positions He is an asset off the bench that will help us tremendously on defense and help with offensive flow.
K-Mart would be a great addition to this team. He is an adequate rebounder and defender. Why does it matter if he has no shot? Would he be coming to help our scoring? Because I highly doubt we need that from him. We need a tough guy who rebounds, plays defense, marginal shot blocker and is not afraid to get in your face. I wouldn’t mind having him here if we are unable to get anyone better.
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
5:59 pm
Geemack I was thing along those lines earlier but I kinda see for real’s point of view so here’s the question it posses.
If the Magic do trade D12 who has said regardless that he will walk at the end of the season, do, the magic take the gamble that Howard wont walk away and make more movies with his buddy Josh? Do the magic really wont the season to expire and Howard walks away and they get nothing in return? They wouldn’t even be a lottery pick so the franchise would be ruined. They have to wait 2 years just to get into the lottery. Is that a chance that they can really afford to take?
Rod from College Park
January 23rd, 2012
6:02 pm
“K-Mart would be a great addition to this team. He is an adequate rebounder and defender. Why does it matter if he has no shot? Would he be coming to help our scoring?”
Because like Josh, his jumper is broke, but he likes to shoot it. Who’s going to tell him not to shoot, Joe Johnson? On this team, the ball seems to find the wide open guy for a jump shot alot, and adding another guy who settles for J’s is not in our best intrest, unless he shoots at a high clip like Horford.
Some of us know
January 23rd, 2012
6:03 pm
Someone is talking to himself again.
beejayrufino
January 23rd, 2012
6:03 pm
I will hate coach Drew if he bench Teague again!
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:05 pm
Rod from College Park just check back 3 or 4 stories ago, where MC stated that according to the numbers, Josh is one of the very best in the NBA at finishing. Some times we see what we want to see and not what really happening. Kinda like seeing Al’s career 12 ppg as 18-21ppg super stud material.
The numbers speak for themselves.
K mart is a good player be hes no center, Hes not a cure for what ails us.
EmirS.
January 23rd, 2012
6:07 pm
“Because like Josh, his jumper is broke, but he likes to shoot it. Who’s going to tell him not to shoot, Joe Johnson?” -Rod
Well noted.
I never watched many Denver games, however the few that I did I liked his presence on the floor. I didn’t see him take many shots. I saw him battling alot in the paint though.
Tell me this, if someone other then Josh [Lets say Kenyon Martin] was taking ill-advised shots, would it be to farfetched to say Josh might get into his grill about it?
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:07 pm
Some of us know aka sautee if you think its so, why dont you compare IP address or email? Then we will know the truth.
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
6:08 pm
Rod from College Park
January 23rd, 2012
6:02 pm
co-sign
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:09 pm
Sloan is the obvious cut candidate.
Good to know that Teague will still be the starter, because if he was about to be benched for Kirk, I think I would probably go toilet paper LD’s house.
Big Ump
January 23rd, 2012
6:09 pm
Astro Joe
You hit the nail on the head with your last post.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:10 pm
“Do you think because Teague got a raw deal in the past, he should get a pass any poor performances now?”
To an extent, yes.
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
6:11 pm
Guys, have you noticed that although we don’t have a championship level ball club…
…we do have a championship level blog troll??
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:14 pm
“The Hawks aren’t enamored with the available free-agent centers and their trade options are limited.”
Their trade options are not limited if they are willing to move Kirk. If they trade Kirk into the Lakers’ trade exception, they can do a three way trade with another team that gets them pretty much any big man they want.
ntrigue
January 23rd, 2012
6:14 pm
I said 2 weeks ago we need to get k-mart!
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:15 pm
Vava Rod, I have to agree with you too. that .488% Josh is shooting is just pissing me off.
JOSH 49% FROM THE FIELD IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE !! DONT YOU EVER SHOOT 50% AROUND HERE!
Hows that guys? Think that ought to piss him off?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:16 pm
“Yes, that is EXACTLY what many seem to believe. And they also probably think that any improvement in Teague’s game happens irrespective of what LD or his staff do with/for Teague.”
The idea that Teague improves independent of his coaches is much more plausible than the idea that burying him on the bench for the first two years of his career was a sound player development strategy.
ntrigue
January 23rd, 2012
6:16 pm
He gave us major consideration when he left NJ! Hopefully we can acquire him!
Some of us know
January 23rd, 2012
6:16 pm
LOL @ Joe mama. Feeling guilty,there bucko?
No one called your name, but damn if you didn’t answer.
No, I couldn’t be Sautee. I could never be that sanctimonious about others being wrong. I’m wrong too often myself. But I’m not wrong about someone talking to himself, whoever it is that I mean.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:16 pm
I wouldn’t mind K-Mart, but for those who like Ivan, hopefully you realize that K-Mart is for the most part going to eat into Ivan’s minutes, since he is not a center.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:19 pm
“To whatever level Dwight would “like” to play in Atlanta, I think it get’s trumped by his “dislike” for the ASG and how this franchise is run. That’s why you wont see Atlanta on Dwight’s list.”
And likewise I think his friendship with Josh gets trumped by the lack of confidence in the DASG as well.
Trojan
January 23rd, 2012
6:24 pm
Dwight Howard is a great talent but he is a major pain to the Orlando Magic.
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:24 pm
Hey you guys may have missed this but I think Al is on the All injury prone reserve list right now. Hes only taken 119 shots on the year and most of those were pick and roll dunks under the basket.
I know he tore his ankle out of socket one year, and now hes tore a shoulder out of joint. I sure hope we trade him while there’s something left. Its hard to trade guys once its clear they are injury prone and a health hazard.
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
6:26 pm
…and now “someone” will come and agree
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:28 pm
“To whatever level Dwight would “like” to play in Atlanta, I think it get’s trumped by his “dislike” for the ASG and how this franchise is run. That’s why you wont see Atlanta on Dwight’s list.”
And likewise I think his friendship with Josh gets trumped by the lack of confidence in the DASG as well.”
Thats painful to hear. I dont know if its true however, seeing that the ASG is the one pursing Howard. I wish you are wrong but I must admit it sounds painfully true.
Trojan = some of us know = sautee
northcyde
January 23rd, 2012
6:29 pm
The reason why people don’t believe Drew, is because Drew either lies on purpose, or doesn’t truly believe what he is saying.
Look what he said about Ivan Johnson and finding some minutes for him. To Drew’s credit, he has somewhat lived up to what he said.
But on the flip side, Ivan has twice played less than 5 minutes in a game since his unofficial debut vs Miami. He played 4 minutes in the Philly game, a game in which a guy like him may have provided much needed energy to get us back on track. But Drew was too busy giving minutes to Jason Collins.
Kirk Hinrich is NOT this team’s future. Personally, I’m only playing Kirk significant minutes ( 17+ minutes ) if he’s playing well. No way am I obligating minutes to him on a nightly basis.
Here’s how you know that you can’t take Drew serious about these comments. I would bet $20 that Hinrich is the PG closing out games. And if he is, Teague is not his guy.
Don’t be surprised one bit if Teague gets “Marvined” by Drew. Yeah, he’ll be the starter, but he won’t log over 25 minutes.
jlewis
January 23rd, 2012
6:29 pm
I have a question since we are discussing acquisitions. Would you still trade JJ for Carmelo? lol. Some “perceived” superstars arent really stars at all.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:31 pm
“Don’t be surprised one bit if Teague gets “Marvined” by Drew. Yeah, he’ll be the starter, but he won’t log over 25 minutes.”
If this happens, Sund needs to force LD’s hand by trading Kirk.
There are a lot of reasons why trading Kirk is the right move for this team.
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:37 pm
Teague is playing as best he can after all the work that Woodson and Drew have put in with him over the years, Drew worked with teague under woodson and with out woodson so he knows teagues capabilities.
I do like Teague.and I think Hinrich Should have to earn his way back, but should be given the opportunity to do so. Same with Al if he is still here. He should have to earn his way back.Thats how the game is played.
bigdave
January 23rd, 2012
6:38 pm
“The reason why people don’t believe Drew, is because Drew either lies on purpose, or doesn’t truly believe what he is saying.”
this trend dates back to last year. he learned from the best..
EmirS.
January 23rd, 2012
6:43 pm
“Hey you guys may have missed this but I think Al is on the All injury prone reserve list right now…………… I sure hope we trade him while there’s something left. Its hard to trade guys once its clear they are injury prone and a health hazard.” Joe Mama
I don’t know if you we’re being sarcastic, but if you were disregard this post and let it act as a fun little fact.
Since his rookie year and upto last year Al Horford has missed somewhere between 15 to 20 games. Thats 4 seasons, 324 games, 1296 periods/quarters, 15,000 + minutes. Now ofcourse he has not played every minute of every quarter of every game. But I thought it’d be pretty cool if I did it like that. He’s averaging 34 MPG for his career while playing 300+ games in 4 seasons.
Now I did my own little 5 minute research on these stats. How accurate I am, is up for debate. But “with that said” I’m pretty sure I’m somewhere in the ballpark. But yea he’s injury prone.
EmirS.
January 23rd, 2012
6:44 pm
^ Playoffs not included.
doc
January 23rd, 2012
6:45 pm
vava, back in the day when i trained surgical residents during big cases i tried to teach them it was best to not go poking skunks.
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:57 pm
I understand EmirS. you are right, Al did rip a socket out of joint and missed the balance of the playoffs and yea Al played in only 11 games this year before rupturing his shoulder. I guess best case is he will miss 50 or more games this year.
I’m glad you picked up on that because Al is too young to be self destructing like he does. My goodness. I think he might last longer if he plays heavily tape. That why we can move him before the injury prone tag sticks.
We can do like a lottery to help recover some of the money being lost with Al’s down time. You know…sell raffle tickets to who can guess how many games Al will miss this year… winner gets to sign Al’s checks.
All proceeds to the ASG’s favorite charity.
Thoughts?
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
6:58 pm
* Al ripped an ankle out of socket.
Joe Mama
January 23rd, 2012
7:00 pm
Tell em again doc!
Bigman needed
January 23rd, 2012
7:13 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
6:31 pm
“Don’t be surprised one bit if Teague gets “Marvined” by Drew. Yeah, he’ll be the starter, but he won’t log over 25 minutes.”
If this happens, Sund needs to force LD’s hand by trading Kirk.
There are a lot of reasons why trading Kirk is the right move for this team.
LinkReport this comment
I agree completely. Teague will be playing 40 mins in stretch and playoffs. There’s just not the run for someone like hinrich. It’s jeff’s team now. Teague needs to learn how to run this team and will log minutes. Last year he had to learn in the playoffs. The hinrich era is over. Hnrich has value. Trade him and move on.
Cleveland could have kept baron davis to teach irving but it was time to move on and it is for hawks
Ken Strickland
January 23rd, 2012
7:19 pm
Before the season, we heard all of the predictions from the ALWAYS GLASS HALF EMPTY fans as soon as teams like the Knicks signed FA TChandler. They also cited our brutal opening season schedule as a reason for doubting and bashing the team and predicting doom and gloom. Then, after we got through that 9gms in 12 days in far, far better shape than anyone expected, we heard all of the previous doom and gloom predictions resurface as soon as AHorford went down.
During that entire period, we constantly heard player bashing from the HATERS and IGNORANT MASSES, and/or suedo fans. And throughout all of their BS, the ATLANTA HAWKS 12-5 RECORD TIES THEM WITH DENVER FOR THE 3RD BEST RECORD IN THE ENTIRE NBA.
GO HAWKS, AND GO TO HELL HATERS AND BASHERS. lol.
Ken Strickland
January 23rd, 2012
7:26 pm
MOST OF YOU ARE IGNORANT AND CANT HAVE INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION. we constantly heard player bashing from the HATERS and IGNORANT MASSES, and/or suedo fans. And throughout all of their BS, the ATLANTA HAWKS 12-5 RECORD TIES THEM WITH DENVER FOR THE 3RD BEST RECORD IN THE ENTIRE NBA. and All of you AL HOFORD HATERS WHO DONT HAVE A LIFE, SPENDING YOUR DAYS HATING AL HORFORD
Play teague.
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES YOU IGNORANT AZZES HATERS. I DONT EVEN LIKE TO POST HERE BECAUSE YALL SO STUPID.
GO HAWKS, AND GO TO HELL HATERS AND BASHERS. lol.
Id like to hear your opinion.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
7:26 pm
” Would you still trade JJ for Carmelo?”
Yes
northcyde
January 23rd, 2012
7:27 pm
The Baron Davis – Kyrie Irving example is a good one. Baron didn’t play bad at all while he was in Cleveland, and a lot of Cleveland fans were even advocates of bringing him back.
At the beginning of the year, the Cavs even started Ramon Sessions at the point. But Byron Scott made the decision after a few games to start Kyrie.
I was a huge Teague critic in his first 2 seasons, because I didn’t like how the dude played with the reserves. He was not looking to score or run the team with the reserves. He was constantly deferring to Jamal.
With the starters, specifically alongside JJ, he looks like a much different player. And JJ gives Teague the leeway to run the team at times, even encouraging Teague to be aggressive.
With Teague playing well, the last thing I want is for the kid to be logging most of his minutes alongside Willie Green and Vladimir Radmanovic. Both have proven to be decent players, and definitely upgrades over Josh Powell and Mo Evans. But they’re not Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
Those are the two that Teague needs to play with.
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
7:34 pm
doc,
It was precisely that: a bit of harmless “skunk poking fun”… To see if he would still pull the “another persona agreeing” stunt or if he strategically went low key…
EmirS.
January 23rd, 2012
7:36 pm
Wow Ken who stole your morning Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I can understand the frustration. I LOVE those little cinnamon squares that are just blasting with flavor. I can really see the taste to, the commercials don’t lie! I’d be pretty pissed off to if someone ate mine…
Btw, i think some people go with the “glass half empty’ scenario because they feel they’ll jinx the team if they start getting too positive. Anyone else ever feel like that?
O'Brien
January 23rd, 2012
7:37 pm
I’m with AJ. I think Al and D12 is a better combination than Josh and D12.
Either way, it doesn’t matter, because D12 doesn’t want to come here. And I don’t blame him. If I was a star player, why would I want to be coached by LD, and play for the ASG, with Slow hand Rick Sund as my GM?
And does anyone have confidence that Kenyon would choose to play for the Hawks? He will have many suitors, and will probably go somewhere he can log more minutes to get another contract.
And he is really a PF. We dont need a PF. We need a center. Even if Sund isn’t enamored by the FA centers, isn’t it proactive to go get one from now, and stash him on the bench?
vavatroll
January 23rd, 2012
7:37 pm
What was his decision?
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
7:38 pm
I don’t know if it is just me but isn’t Teague’s passing starting to look crispier and even flashier in a good pg kind of way??
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
7:40 pm
Better than expected