Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague looks forward to being ‘focal point’
Caught up with Jeff Teague at the Hawks’ youth basketball camp in Suwanee. As we were talking, some dude came up and expressed his dismay at the Hawks trading for Devin Harris and signing Louis Williams because he saw this as a threat to Teague’s playing time.
I smiled because the guy’s angst sounded familiar. It’s the same sentiment I hear all the time from my blog people, who tend to freak out whenever there’s a better-than-terrible guard on the roster who can play the point behind Teague.
Never mind that Teague ranked third on the team in minutes played per game last season and logged about 80 percent of the minutes at point guard, according to 82games.com. Forget that Teague remained the starter after Kirk Hinrich returned from injury last season. Set aside Danny Ferry’s statement that the Hawks “will be more of Jeff’s team than it has ever been.”
Like that dude who cornered Teague, my blog people think back to Teague’s history with Larry Drew and just know that he’s waiting to trap door Teague.
Teague does not have those same concerns.
“I was going to come in confident and ready to play,” he said. “I’m familiar with Coach Drew. I was ready. When the trade happened I saw it as an opportunity to step up and play even better. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Seriously, though, I don’t mean to dismiss my blog peoples’ concern over whether Teague will get more opportunities. You have good reasons to be a bit skeptical, not least of all the fact that Teague made another big jump in scoring efficiency last season but his usage actually decreased a bit.
Some of you blame Drew for that but, from my seat near Atlanta’s bench, I can tell you that Drew regularly barked “Go get it, Jeff!” when Josh Smith, Joe Johnson or Al Horford collected a rebound. Drew wanted the ball in Teague’s hands so the Hawks could play faster (at least until it became Joe’s show late in games).
Instead, Teague usually would stay on his side of the court and wait for the ball to come his way or make a halfhearted effort to convince his teammate to give up the rock. He’s got to demand the ball if it’s going to be his show.
“I’ve got to be more of a leader,” Teague said. “I looked to other guys last year like Joe and Marvin [Williams] and those guys. I feel like it’s my time to step up and be a leader along with Josh and Al and try to be that third guy.”
Perhaps 2012-13 will be the year when it all comes together for Teague. The organization gets behind him; Drew gives him more opportunities in the offense; Teague finally becomes more assertive, and the absence of Joe means there’s one less guy for Teague to defer to. At the very least, there should be more shots to go around.
Even Teague isn’t sure how the lineup is going to shake out, noting that the Hawks are “a lot smaller but a lot faster.”
He said he can envision Harris playing alongside him at two guard. The same goes for Louis Williams. Maybe it’s Josh at small forward with Zaza Pachulia at center (which would make for a small frontcourt off the bench unless Ferry adds another center). Or maybe it’s Kyle Korver at small forward with Harris or Anthony Morrow at shooting guard (but I still can’t shake the image of Teague shutting down Korver in the 2011 playoffs) .
Right now, the Hawks have an awfully small backcourt with three guys who like to work with the ball in their hand (though Harris did play off ball some in Utah). Teague said they can make it work.
“We all can score the basketball,” he said. “We don’t really have a big two right now. We have a lot of shooters but Joe was a big two. We are just going to have to do it all collectively with Joe and Al and [now] I feel like I can be an elite point guard.”
He’s got a long way to go to reach that level but he got better last season and there’s still room for growth.
Teague’s 3-point shooting was better until his percentages took a big dive over the final 25 games. It appeared Teague lost confidence in his 3-pointer when he started missing a few but he brushed it off.
“Everybody goes through a slump during the year,” he said. “Mine just happened to be at the end. Hopefully I can come back shooting even better and be more effective.”
Even when Teague was making 3-pointers, opponents defended him by going under screens. With that in mind, Teague said he’s focused on his mid-range J this summer, another aspect of his game that improved significantly last season.
Teague got to the basket frequently last season but didn’t finish strongly or draw a high rate of fouls when he got there.
“I can’t do anything about fouls,” he said, smiling. “Finishing on layups, that’s on me. I can go in there and dunk the basketball. I could just take it right to the rim but I shot floaters because I thought guys could come over and block it.”
Teague also will have to be sharper defensively on screen-rolls. He went through periods where he seemed to be nonchalant about fighting through screens.
That’s reflected by the 0.8 points per possession posted by opposing pick-and-roll ballhandlers, a number that ranked 117th in the league according to Synergy Sports Technology. Also notice that Teague’s opposing PER is a pedestrian 16.2 in spite of an effective field-goal percentage allowed of just 47.3–those 17.5 field goal attempts and 9.6 assists per 48 minutes stand out. A player with Teague’s physical skills can do better.
Teague said he only recently got a chance to meet with Ferry because of the GM’s busy schedule and Teague’s two-week trip to China for an NBA outreach program. Teague said Ferry’s a “smart guy” with a plan that includes Teague as a major piece.
“He told me he was looking forward to working with me and he really liked my game,” Teague said. “He didn’t know how the trade and stuff would go but he knew I was going to be a focal point.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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297 comments Add your comment
vava74
August 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
northcyde,
co-sign. if Teague doesn’t assert himself, he will be on the bench before Christmas.
MsDee
August 2nd, 2012
12:20 pm
northcyde,
I think Teague will be just fine! This will be his 2nd year starting for the Hawks, and he will continue to improve at this point. His assist WILL go up since he actually has shooters around him who actually makes baskets. Zaza, Josh and Joe would often leave him hanging w/o his assist to his name.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
AJ = I agree with your point – It is on LD if the players don’t give up the ball to JT, not on JT.
Of course Rondo’s moxy would be a good addition to JT’s aresenal.
Let’s face it: JT’s probably going to be a really good PG. Not elite, but really good – and good enough to win a Championship if surrounded by the proper pieces.
But JT’s a RFA after this season – and judging by how folks overpaid for Dragic, Lin, and some others this off season – I wonder what JT is going to get? 8 mill per season?
I was kind of hoping to keep him for 5 or 6 mill per.
But if we sign CP3, I could deal with losing Jeff.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
Ra’mon – Great post.
Closing out games – Final seconds – on offense a team of:
Teague
Harris
Lou
Josh
Al
Is a great 1 possession lineup to get a hoop.
Need a 3? Insert Morrow for one of the Bigs.
Need a stop?
ZaZa
Al
Josh
Stevenson
Teague
That team can get you a stop. Insert Ivan for ZaZa if you want.
Anybody heard how ZaZa’s rehab is coming? Last I heard, he couldn’t start running until July.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
We are going to have to morph into Phoenix, Denver, San Antonio this season – because the D will be lacking.
Josh can block/alter some shots. Most people don’t take into account altered shots – probably 3 altered shots for every 1 blocked. And most altered shots are missed. Never mind the other havoc having a shot blocker has on a team.
cp
August 2nd, 2012
12:53 pm
So saying you deferred to your teammates means you’re blaming them? Really? You cant be serious.
I think Teague will be fine this year but as someones else pointed out it might come down to Drew and his rotations Plenty of times he would sit a guy who started off hot and wait too long to bring them back in. He did this several times last year with Teague and with Marvin ( when he was having a good game) He even did this in the playoffs. LD has to get better with his rotations. And Devin Harris is a solid pg but his play has been on the decline for a few years now.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
But it is a fact that 3 of our top 5 players are under 6-3. That part is going to be interesting.
BG – And I just don’t think Lou is an ideal PG – great PER, but no pass first, or for that matter, second, third, or fourth mentality.
And Harris has always been accused of that also – score 1st, pass second. He’s almost 30, and just morphing into more of a true PG.
But that seems to be the game the NBA is becoming as well with their PG’s.
I’m still mad we traded the original JT – Jason Terry – he averaged over 7 assist a game, and we ditch him because he’s not a true PG. What idiots.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Drew doesn’t seem to Coach Josh – he maybe tries to manage him some. There’s a big difference. He did sit Josh a couple of times in the 2nd half this past season, like he was beginning to try to bring him in a little.
And the reason Teague was fatigued this past season, and didn’t fight thru screens, is his 1st full season was the compressed, killer schedule season.
I think he’ll do much better this season.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Lou is going to be a big key this season. Can’t wait to see if he starts or comes off the bench. I think he’ll have a big season either way. 26, in his hometown, going for 17 a nite wouldn’t surprise me from him.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
And this is the best top 12 players we’ve had in a long time.
KevinM
August 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
“Anybody heard how ZaZa’s rehab is coming? Last I heard, he couldn’t start running until July.”
So far, I’m getting a dial tone on the other end of this question, Steve.
I have asked for the last 2 months, with no update. I know he went to Harvard, that’s all we’ve heard about Zaza this offseason.
O'Brien
August 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Ken S,
This has been Dwight’s only serious injury since he has been in the league. But if you look at Bynum’s history, you will see that he has only played in 53% of Laker games since he came into the league. Dude is a huge injury risk. That is the only thing that concerns me about Bynum. Injuries.
Ra’mon,
Hawks will be electric, but that doesnt necessarily translate into wins. I think they will be competing for 6-8 in the East.
KevinM,
Why would the Hawks be aiming high this season? Our coach only has one year left, and we will have tons of cap space next offseason. This will be a step back year for the Hawks.
And i am ok with that. Sometimes, you have to take one step back, to take 2 steps forward.
Melvin
August 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
I guess Josh was right when he said he couldn’t publicly demand a trade without being fined.
Point/Counterpoint: A Rule Against Trade Demands?
By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors
EmailPrint3 Comments
In the NBA, players are not permitted to demand a trade in the press. It’s a fineable offense, but that hasn’t stopped upcoming free agents from holding their team hostage and dictating where they’re going to land by refusing to commit long-term to certain teams. Even though the information isn’t coming directly from the player, the message is sent by an agent or “source close to the player.”
Blodus
August 2nd, 2012
1:13 pm
Trade teague this year for a early/mid first rounder. You can get a pg like him late in the 1st round. He can’t make lay ups. He has no outside shot. Not good at distributing the ball. Just because he has one or two good games a month doesn’t make him good. He’s very inconsistent. He has been given the chance to prove himself and he hasn’t. I’m sure Ferry will let him play out this year and see what he does. But im pretty sure he’s gonna be gone after this year.
KevinM
August 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
KenS talking about D12 vs. Bynum earlier……..
D12 better than Bynum any day of the week. Bynum wants to be D12 and while they are both knuckleheads and both get deserving technical fouls, Bynum to me is the more hothead than D12.
I can see MWP rubbing off on Bynum.
Would I take either if I could get them? Of course, but I think D12 brings more to the team than Bynum. Bynum has had way more help than D12.
You have to have elite to win in this league and right now Danny doesn’t have elite. He needs to find it though and I’m ready for him to make it happen soon.
And dump our coach and quit wasting our time with his schemes. There’s easily better brains out there to get this team moving forward. All LD has done is stay the course. He was handed a 2nd round team and now he has a 1st round team.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
1:20 pm
VaVa – I do agree with your basic point about PER. But at the end of the day, given enough minutes it does seem to come close to shaking itself out many times.
But PER can get crazy sometimes. I’ll see two players, and the guy with the highest PER is not always the best player. So it’s not the end all stat.
Northcyde has some stats I like better – efficiency ratings etc. I know there’s holes in them also – but they seem much more accurate to me.
KevinM
August 2nd, 2012
1:22 pm
FWIW, last year’s league stats on Technical Fouls….
Josh is a top performer, like we all know already.
LD barely makes a whimper….
http://mediacentral.nba.com/media/mediacentral/TechStatus.pdf
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
Steve, LD needs to be consistent in his message, but I wouldn’t be quick to let Teague off the hook for not “demanding” the ball from teammates. A person who can only get respect when the boss steps in isn’t much of a leader.
I’d like to know why the teamates DON’T give Teague the ball. Are they being selfish? Do they think they are better at setting up teammates? Do they think Teague won’t make the right decision? If anyone is hoping this is a championship team, resolving the root cause is far more important than just twisting a player’s arm. If QB X refuses to pass to WR Y, doesn’t the football coach need to understand the problem more than he needs to simply demand that the QB pass the ball to that receiver?
AtlFlavor
August 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
Joes contract was so crucial on so many fronts. A fair deal to him and the city sets up The move that should have been made A YEAR ago Al and Marvin for Howard. Add in Cp3 next summer and the trophys would have been rolling in. But now this looks like they will need those trampolines the Sky Squad use to get some size on the court. Oh well, let’s try again in another 10 years.
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
Since D12 became the focal point of the offense (with his very, very limited half-court skills), Orlando has not made it out of the 1st round. That’s why he needs to go to a team like the Lakers or nets… he can focus on his strengths (rebounding, defense and runing the floor) and no one will worry about his points late in the 4th quarter of a close ball game.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2012
1:44 pm
” This indicates to me that PER has “some” level of accuracy and value, not that it is the be-all, end-all tool for comparing players. ”
And yet you are using PER as your sole reason to anoint a guy as a starter who has only started 38 games in his entire career.
Teague has started more games in his career than Lou Williams has. If anything, Lou has more to prove to win a starting job than Teague does.
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
Remember, that Jrue Holliday is a legit 6′4″… the guy who often was sharing the backcourt with Lou Williams last year.
Like I predicted last week, the theme of this coming season (if the roster doesn’t change much) will be “the Hawks are too small”.
Slimjr
August 2nd, 2012
2:13 pm
D12 should and will be the focus of Danny plans to build a championship here.. D12 is 3> the defensive player B-hothead is.
D12 is an Elite player and would take the Atlanta Hawks to an ECF and beyond in no time with Danny acquiring the players to surround him with..
D12 lost his stout perimeter defenders and shooters after that run to the finals in 07. That is why his teams have struggled to advance beyond the 1st round…
“Boxscores and in general stats in bbal are deceiving and strictly a reference. “Eye test” and “overall team success” are substantially more accurate assessments IMO.” -vava74-
Cosign..
[Eye test] says: Teague’s jumper needs much work! Fix it dude!
Mike is Back
August 2nd, 2012
2:55 pm
KevinM, I agree with your 9:04 post.
It’s great that Teague wants to be amongst the elite PGs…however, he don’t have to become an elite PG overnight…the talent is there…he needs stay on the grind…and continue to work hard in the offseason. Forget about the BIG Three crap…it’s just a name…whether it’s a starter or reserve role…BE ready to step up…no matter WHAT…I like Sweet Lou paired with DHarris or Teague.
Ken Strickland, as much as I like Teague…I think you gotta go with DH as the starter… unless he gets traded.
Ra'mon
August 2nd, 2012
2:59 pm
O’B, I think this team would beat last year’s team in a 5 game series. I think offensively, the Hawks will have a top 5 offensive back court tandem when you add Teague, Jenkins, Lou, and Devin. And if they’re smart enough to run a lot of high posts and pick & rolls it will only lead to better shots for the guards. I see baskets being easier to come by than they were last season. And I think we will see a couple of 40 points quarters.
I know there will be certain teams the Hawks can’t beat with this lineup. But its a great situation in what is gearing up for a overhaul next summer. The Hawks managed to be competitive while clearing cap space. The alternative is the Knicks.
Rusty
August 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
blodu. You still six
Court Vision | The Point Forward
August 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
[...] • Jeff Teague talks about his role on the new-look Hawks. [...]
Grandad
August 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
A wide range of thoughts sparked by a plethora of comments
concerning our beloved Hawks.
(1) Who says 3 of our top 5 are under 6-3 ?
assuming said commentariat who blawgeth such a statement,
meant – Teaguer, Lou, & Harris;
I take exception; in that, assuming Al, Josh & Teaguer are 1,2, 3;
that perhaps Zaza or Lou would become the 4th … then;
maybe … Korver, JJenkins, Morrow, would enter the dialogue.
(2) As I said yesterday;
Benson looked terrible in Summer League.
-not ready for prime time-
(3) SteveW – were you saying San Antone has been weak defensively?
[@ 12:51 pm]
-if so, I disagree-
(4) I`m with Ken S:
I prefer A.Bynum over D.Howard.
DH has changed as a human being from the youngster
who came into the League.
[presently a narcissist as opposed to a Team Player]
Also, one cannot site Bynums inj history any longer
as DH now has the back surgery with which to deal
and no one knows the long term repercussions
of DH`s surgery.
(5) Not defending LD:
*[he`s gonna do whatever Dealin` Danny says anyway]
-But-
LD had 3 guards 6-3 or less last yr:
Teaguer, Cap`n Kirk, Pargo + Willie Green (just sayin)
Jeff, Kirk, Pargo all supposed pg`s.
(6) 0`B – Bynum recurring knee inj.
Now DH has the back inj.
It`s not as if Bynum has had an assortment of ailments.
(7) Teaguer & Lou are the same player.
For those who say Lou is nor a pg !
He is just as much of one as is Jeff.
The only difference is how they have been utilized.
Both are combo gaurds; [e g; Jet Terry or Barbosa]
On the other hand;
Harris is a true pg that is capable of moving over and playing the [2].
(4)
donte080
August 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
re: Why do hawks take ball out of Teague’s hands?
There’s good reason for that. A PG has play under control. Jeff in the past has not displayed the leadership qualities needed from your PG during crunch time. I think he’ll get there, but he’s a work-in-progress.
donte080
August 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Lou Williams = Jamal Crawford…..you take the good along with the bad with him.
Devin Harris should be on the floor for us most of the time. He is still an elite PG in this league.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Grandad – What I was referring to in regards to San Antonio is they became an offensive juggernaut last season, finishing 2nd in the League in pts scored at 103.7 ppg.
They also finished 16th in Pts allowed at 96.7 per game or so.
So it was in much major media and discussion how Pops, playing to the talent he had available, turned San Antonio into the Phoenix Suns/Denver Nuggets, and won with a somewhat different style than in years past. They would outscore you this past season, rather than just winning with D, rebounding, and some solid offensive execution.
Top 5 Hawks in my book, in this order:
Josh
Al
Lou
Harris
Teague
With ZaZa 6th, probably Morrow 7th, Ivan 8th, and Korver 9th. I’m going to guess Jordan Jenkins is going to be 10th or higher – then Stevenson and Petro to round out the top 12.
Not bad.
And also – Harris has always had the label of a score 1st PG, not a facilitator. Reading the comments about him from a Jazz announcer this past season in an interview about Harris, who had followed his game since he came in the League – He said Harris this past season at age 28/29 really was coming into his own as a true PG.
And Teague is much more of a facilitator than Lou. Lou is looking to score. Teague, in his 1st season starting, really was trying to be a true PG much of the time.
That’s not to say Lou can’t be that guy – but that was not his role in Philly.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
And if anybody on here complained about Jamal playing PG, and is now advocating Lou play the Point, please stop. Your just making an idiot of yourself.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
Brandon Jennings PG – Monta Ellis SG
Jeff Teague/Devin Harris PG – Lou Williams SG
I say go small ball, start Lou, take your lumps defensively, and make it up offensively – especially in transition. We would be nearly unstoppable in transition.
Not alot of great options out there unfortunately – Your going to have to pick your poison with this team this season as currently constructed. Small/Lack of D for Offense. Or other not so great options.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
Kirk Hinrich listed usually at 6-4 – but on occasion 6-3.
Kirk, Green, Pargo not nearly in the same class of BB players as Devin Harris and Lou Williams. Not even close.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
Kirk Hinrich on DraftExpress – “Kirk Hinrich is a 31 year old 6 foot 4 inch 186lb G. Check out more at draftexpress for detailed stats, comparisons, and outlooks.”
But his official measurements are 6-2.75 w/o shoes – 6-3.75 with shoes.
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
Steve, is the question can you be a lottery team with two small guards and you are using Jennings & Ellis as proof of that or are you saying that two small guards can get a team into the playoffs (and we’re still looking for that example)?
O'Brien
August 2nd, 2012
4:23 pm
Ra’mon.
What do we do on defense though?
AJ,
When Josh keeps the ball on the break, it is only because he is trying to make something happen, because he wants to win so badly
O'Brien
August 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
Ra’mon.
What do we do on defense though?
AJ,
When Josh keeps the ball on the break, it is only because he is trying to make something happen, which is a result of him wanting to win so badly
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
Lou Williams is an electric BB player when he gets going. A game changer.
And there’s no way we shouldn’t be one of the most exciting teams in the NBA this season – Harris, Josh, Lou, Teague – are all capable of bringing excitement to a game for the Hawks.
I think we’re in for a treat in at least our style of play this season. Morrow being that uh-oh guy shooting the 3 – same with Jenkins and Korver.
A lot of positives for this team – I just don’t know if they equal W’s.
But if I’m going to lose in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs anyway, may as well get some action in the transaction. Better than losing boring.
But I’d as soon win boring…
Ra'mon
August 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
Guys, I wouldn’t be opposed to the Hawks bring back Mo Evans for vet minimum to play spot time at the wing. But I really believe the Hawks will make a trade in the training camp with a 2nd round pick or so to bring in a true SF. By the way, I may would start Jenkins over Williams. If Jenkins is serviceable in camp, than having Jenkins in the line up with Josh and Al would help to leave Williams available to go wild (along with Harris) against 2nd team units.
Also, I really don’t see why Stephenson can’t be depended on to give us at least what Marvin gave the Hawks as a starter. Stephenson is a decent spot up shooter beyond the arc. And he’s a hard nose defender who plays with emotions and isn’t scared to fight for his team.
G’Dad and O’Brien, would you offer Minnesota Al and 2 first round picks for Kevin Love? Keep in mind, they have similar contracts, and you would still have the same cap space next season to sign a top level player. Also Kevin Love will allow Josh to play the 3 on defense, and to post on offense, because Love is able to play on the perimeter offensively.
2013 – Teague – Harden – Josh – Love – Bynum/D12 ? That team beats Miami, Brooklyn, and Chicago, for years to come.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
4:37 pm
AJ – Nah, not saying that – just giving an example. The Bucks don’t have anybody like Al and Josh in the frontcourt to go with those guys.
And I also think Skiles has run his course there, but that’s just me.
But like I said – gotta pick your poison with this team as assembled.
I’d rather start Lou than Morrow at the 2. I start Morrow at the 3 if we play small. If not have Morrow come off the bench – he’s a good bench guy.
But I’m just looking at combinations to maximize our wins. Jenkins is an X Factor also – really don’t know what we’ve got in him on an NBA level yet.
SteveW
August 2nd, 2012
4:41 pm
I’m not against a ZaZa, Al, Josh Frontcourt however – and start Teague and Morrow in the backcourt, unless we think John Jenkins is better.
A 2nd unit of Harris, Lou, Korver, Ivan, and Petro – Well, I sure wish we had somebody other than Petro at the 5 spot
Ra'mon
August 2nd, 2012
4:41 pm
O’B, once again, certain teams you won’t be able to beat consistently. But against the lower ladder teams, you will run them out of the gym, so defense will be an after thought. Remember, the Hawks just lost Joe and Marvin (as well as Kirk who is overrated defensively). However, they got back Al, who will help in defense in the post. And Teague is still a good defender. A top 6 offense and a top 20 defense is good enough for a top 6 seed in the east. Remember, its not as much about the defense, as it is the defensive boards. You want to bait other teams into having a guard versus guard competition against our team. Remember, there are not that many good 2 guards in the league any more (that’s how Joe is still the 3rd best sg, despite regressing so much). Also, over 40 of your games will come against sub .500 teams. You win those games 75% of the time. And you split the games between winning teams 50% of the time. Remember for as good as Joe was, he was also where some lost possessions were found because nothing happened with the ball in his hands.
In my mind, we traded Joe for Al. And then we traded Marvin for Devin. And finally traded Kirk for Lou. To me Al, Devin, Lou is better than Joe, Marvin, and Kirk. And Jenkins is just as good as Pargo, and Korver is more needed than Green.
Buddy G
August 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
“Lou Williams is a hyper-aggressive guard who looks to score . . . period”
“BG – And I just don’t think Lou is an ideal PG – great PER, but no pass first, or for that matter, second, third, or fourth mentality.”
“Teague has started more games in his career than Lou Williams has. If anything, Lou has more to prove to win a starting job than Teague does.”
I think you guys are selling Lou Williams short. Who did he have to pass to on those 76ers teams? He was the leading scorer… they needed him to score. And yet I still think he is very obviously a better ball handler and passer than Teague. I think he is more of a playmaker than Teague. He’s never played with a scorer of the caliber of Josh, or on a team with so many knock down shooters. I predict that his assist totals are going to go up while he remains elite at protecting the ball. He will have one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the league this year. I’m willing to put money on it that he will have a better ratio than Teague at the end of this season.
hawksfancents95
August 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
Someone needs to keep track of our projected lineups, again this is mine.
PG-Teague/They cant do all these commercials saying Jeff is our future then turn around and start devin. Teague>Harris altho slightly
SG-Lou Williams/We are imitating MIL with jennings and ellis, lou will and teague is super quick and can get to the lane, i think GM DF guarenteed a starting spot to lou
SF-Josh Smith/This is an experiment year for GM DF to see who he wants to progress with and Josh always wanted to be a SF and it looks like it has fallen into his lap.
PF-AL Horford/Same reason as Josh’s, GM DF is feeling out what allstar AL is cracked up to be firsthand.
C-ZaZa/ If healthy he will start and battle downlow freeing up everyone else. Very servicable big man.
Devin Harris only has a year left and i suspect he will be part of a trade and thats why we cant start him over teague, even if hes not traded i dont think he’ll be a hawk after this year and thatd make no sense to start him over jeff and “hurt” jeffs feelings
Ivan-Its weird to think but he is actually our glue guy this year, he will play a lot of minutes and will play sf/pf/c. We NEED Ivan.
Kyle Korver-Will get a good bit of minutes at SF and maybe SG, i think Kyle is better NOW than Morrow or Jenkins. Kyle is bad at D but he plays good off ball D and can force players to do what coach Tibs.. i mean LD wants defensively.
Stevenson-As of now it looks like he will be on our team and should be part of the rotation on nights we play really good offensive wing guys.
Morrow/Jenkins- same catch and shoot no defensive player, interchangeable. i see either korver or morrow being shipped out leaving a few minutes for jenkins.
Petro or Benson- We need a 7footer to backup ZaZa and relieve some minutes.
Ive seen some radical starting lineups on here but maybe mine might be radical to you, so agree to disagree.
Rod from College Park
August 2nd, 2012
5:06 pm
“Lou Williams = Jamal Crawford…..you take the good along with the bad with him.”
Ding. It’s amazing how most of the Jamal Haters are so impressed with Lou Williams. They obviously have not seen Lou Williams play. Same guy. No defense. Elite offensive player that shoots a low percentage. Able to create his own shot. Undersized 2 guard that can play the point, but should not be depended on to play point guard.
Astro Joe
August 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Here’s my prediction for this year’s Hawks (again, assuming we only add a minimum-level type SF to the current roster composition).
Remember when the Hawks played Phoenix last year in Philips Arena? Jeff Teague had at least one super-nasty, vicious, highlight-level, YouTube mix-tape dunk on Steve Nash. Y’all remember that? And I think he also had another super-athletic, amazing play against Nash as well. Both plays, as I recall, came in the first 18 minutes of that game. It was entertaining, Hawks fans watching surely jumped out of their seats and there were smiles acorss Hawks nation. Teague looked like a 2012 Corvette and Nash looked like a 1980 Cutlass Supreme. Shortly thereafter, the old man (Steve Nash) helped to dismantle the Hawks and the lottery-bound Suns beat the good guys in a fairly steady, unexciting, methodical manner.
That, IMO, will be akin to this coming season. We’ll get some great highlights… fans of various players will have plenty of fuel to add to their fire. But ultimately the Hawks will prove to be entertaining losers.
For those who only care about playoff basketball, that prediction won’t likely bother you… losing sooner or later is still losing.
AG
August 2nd, 2012
5:17 pm
hawksfancents95 – I have posted starting Lou at SG. Depending on the matchup – play small ball with Morrow at the 3 or Ivan at the 4 – Josh at the three. Don’t like ZaZa starting unless we have too.
Benson was the second best Hawk on the Summer League team – behind Jenkins. I don’t agree with Grandad. Pape Sy did nothing though.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 2nd, 2012
5:55 pm
There seems to be this underlying assumption running through a lot of the posts on this blog that Teague is going to be the exact same player he was last year. Dude hasn’t even started 100 games in his career yet, playoffs included, and is still only 23. He likely is going to improve a lot regardless of the circumstances just by having a year under his belt. I don’t think that can necessarily be said about Williams or Harris, who at this point in their careers more or less are what they are. That has to be factored into any discussion regarding distribution of playing time in the back court.
pointguardslim
August 2nd, 2012
6:33 pm
@Buddy Grizzard or anyone else
When did LD encourage Josh to run the fast break? This is the 2nd time I’ve read that today