Atlanta Hawks: Can Harris-Teague in Atlanta work like Harris-Terry in Dallas?
Good together? (Photo by Getty Images)
Devin Harris is asked how he will fit on a team that already has Jeff Teague and lets out a chuckle before the question is even finished.
Apparently, he’s heard this one a few times before.
“They’ve been talking a lot about playing us together,” Harris said. “That’s something I’m accustomed to doing. I played with Jason Terry in Dallas with a small backcourt. We played a similar type way, getting up and down the floor. I think it can work out the same way [with Teague]. Obviously he’s one of the few remaining guys on the team that knows the system and knows it well. I think if we play together it can be a good tandem.”
The Hawks can only hope Teague-Harris works out the same way as Harris-Terry. In 2006-07, their one full year starting together, both Harris and Terry had strong seasons as Dallas won 67 games and scored 111.3 points per 100 possessions (second in the league).
According to Basketball-Reference, in 2006-07 Dallas used nine lineups in which Harris and Terry shared the backcourt for at least 20 minutes. The Mavericks were +380 with those lineups.
(Those nine lineups, by the way, played at a plodding pace of 88.4. That probably has a lot to do with Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard gobbling up a big chunk of the possessions.)
Harris had the most efficient scoring season of his career in 2006-07 with a true shooting percentage of 57.4. He averaged 14.6 points per 36 minutes with a usage percentage of 19.1.
Terry’s 58.7 true shooting percentage in 2006-07 is the second-best mark of his career. He averaged 17.1 points per 36 minutes with a usage percentage of 21.3.
Harris said he and Terry had no issues about who handled the ball.
“Whoever gets it pretty much goes and runs the break and the other guy sprints,” Harris said. “We didn’t worry too much about who brought the ball up. If it was halfcourt sets, usually I brought the ball up he’s the better shooter of us two.”
Evaluating defenders depends heavily on a team context, but Harris and Terry worked as a defensive tandem for the Mavs in 2006-07.
Harris was a defensive ace back then and the numbers show it. The Mavs allowed 8.6 points fewer points per 100 possessions with Harris on the floor and his opponent PER was 13.3.
Dallas allowed 1.9 points more per possession with Terry on the court in 2006-07. His opponent PER was 14.5 as the shooting guard, presumably because he cross-matched with Harris actually guarding twos, and 16.9 as the point guard.
The best available evidence suggests the small backcourt of Harris and Terry worked quite well for the Mavericks in 2006-07. That doesn’t mean Harris-Teague will work for the Hawks, of course, and there are reasons to be skeptical that those two will enjoy the same comfortable fit.
For one, Harris and Terry complemented each other–Harris was the relentless attacker, Terry was the sharpshooter–whereas Harris and Teague both want to get to the basket off the dribble.
In 2006-07, Harris tried 5.17 shot attempts at the rim per 36 minutes (51 percent of his attempts) and made 61 percent. By contrast, 32 percent of Terry’s field-goal attempts (343) that year were long 2s with a shooting percentage of 49, and 35 percent of Terry’s shots were 3-pointers with a true shooting percentage of 65.7.
Also, Harris isn’t the same player as he was during his Dallas days. He doesn’t go to the rim as often. His percentage of shot attempts at the rim each season since 2006-07: 42, 39, 34, 36, and 25. There’s also been a declining trend in Harris’ shooting percentage at the rim, from pretty good to poor (though he continues to be a foul magnet).
There are a couple exceptions to Harris’ dwindling numbers. He shot a career-high 37.4 percent on 3-pointers last season while attempting them at a higher rate than ever (206 in 1,689 minutes) and he shot 65 percent at the rim. Both numbers are outliers season for his career but, in regards to the 3-point shooting, it’s worth noting that Harris was more of a spot-up shooter last season.
A career-high 87 percent of Harris’ 3-pointers in 2011-12 were assisted. In addition, spot-ups were Harris’ most frequent play type in the halfcourt last season, according to Synergy Sports Technology, and his 1.09 points per possession ranked 45th in the league.
So maybe Harris can get those same spot-up opportunities this season and make them at a high clip and Teague also can have another good year spotting up for 3-pointers. And it’s possible Teague and Harris can set each other up for drives to the basket, with space created by the shooters the Hawks can put on the wing. Certainly Josh Smith and Al Horford in the post can feed either guard for spot-ups or, if defenders close hard, show-and-gos.
Or perhaps Teague and Harris can make all of that not matter so much because they push a breakneck pace (with big men who can keep up) and are disruptive enough on defense to mask their relative lack of size.
“Obviously with the shooting [Danny Ferry's] added that’s going to open up the paint for me, which is something I like to do is get in the paint and cause havoc,” Harris said. “Defensively, [we will be] getting after it and changing defenses. It’s going to be a fun way to play. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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264 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
August 9th, 2012
3:22 pm
Pedro, I agree.
Astro Joe
August 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
Trading Iggy and getting back Bynum feels like a steal to me (from Philly’s viewpoint), especially with Evan Turner sitting there ready to show & prove. Trading Gasol & bynum for D12 & Harrington doesn’t make sense to me… Denver trades Affaflo & Harrinton for Iggy (who has 2 years left on his deal)… spending around $30M on Iggy, Chandler & Gallinari doesn’t seem logical to me. Anyway, starnge trade discussion (IMO).
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
JT’s Hoops Blog
August 9th, 2012
12:50 pm
Seeing Harris and Teague together would be nice because both are quick guards that can push the ball and run the floor; however, I do not see this team making the playoffs.
We were a 4 seed last year without Horford. This year we will have Horford and a much stronger bench. JJ and his 18ppg is the only subtraction. Marvin doesn’t count. I see us as a 5 or 6 seed.
hawksfancents95
August 9th, 2012
3:45 pm
Id trade AL for Iggy right now. next summer sign josh,iggy and try for harden(cp3 will re-sign in LAC and dwight will be traded before devin harris is able to be moved)
w/iggy and harden
Teague
Harden
Iguadola
Smith
ZaZa
Memphis doesnt need AL as they got zach randolph and Indy doesnt need AL because they got david west, maybe if indy doesnt have a good season they trade granger but i doubt it. iggy seems logical.
Whatever
August 9th, 2012
4:15 pm
Wow, I was actually depending on some true insight from a beat writer who covers the team. All I got was some copy-pasted stats from http://www.BasketballReference.com and a few rehashed quotes.
Buddy Grizzard
August 9th, 2012
4:35 pm
Good stuff MC! And you haven’t even got to Lou yet. Can’t wait for this season to start. We won’t have any idea how good this team can be until we see them play together.
Buddy Grizzard
August 9th, 2012
4:41 pm
“Doesn’t make a ton of sense from the Nuggets’ perspective, in my opinion. Two of their four best players would be small forwards if this happened.”
Doesn’t make much sense from Orlando’s perspective as far as I can tell.
Jo Jo
August 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
MC good post that leads to a lot of speculation. I see other news outlets are reporting Arthur Triche was dismissed after 20+ years of PR for the Hawks. Don’t see it here, what’s up?
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
Danny Ferry is not playing. He’s filling out LD staff for him. I guess LD is the coach by title.
”
Michael Cunningham @ajchawks 3h
#Hawks assistants K. Gattison and T. Hill will not return. ATL seeking 1 more coach in addition to pending hire K. Atkinson.
View details · “
pg
August 9th, 2012
5:32 pm
I don’t understand why some of you think Teague is so great? He is okay but he couldn’t start for any of the other 4 playoff team and may not be the best of Teague brothers. I’m not worried about who will start and I hope Ferry isn’t either. I want to see who is the most effective on the court rather then worry about how somebody who is highly paid feels. Don’t rule out Louis Williams in this. I hope like some of you think that this is Teague’s breakout year but lets let him do it first before we anoint him as one of the League’s top PG’s!
Rev in Tampa
August 9th, 2012
5:35 pm
Jo Jo,
MC is reported the Triche dismissal yesterday on Twitter. Today on Twitter he said that coaches Gattison and Hill were also dismissed. I assume MC is writing a larger story about the dismissals and will post it later.
Jo Jo
August 9th, 2012
5:39 pm
Thanks Rev.
tyger
August 9th, 2012
5:45 pm
This roster is fluid, pending Superboy…
Hawks maintaining flexibility until then…
Acquiring cap space/assets that make sense…
Only Lou, Horford, Jenkins signed beyond ‘12-’13…
Harris a keeper, but what price? He’ll want more…
Lou, Morrow, Jenkins – small scorers w handles, range…
Teague gets enough rope to hang himself…
The Terry-Harris model inapplicable b/c Teague cant shoot…
Both rely heavily on speed, which is a declining commodity…
Harris’ mid-range spot-up game…prerequisite for NBA…
Teague does not demand defensive respect…see Boston
Teams will just lay in wait at the hoop…swat!
LD knows what he has in Teague – fast, lil hustle guy…
Rick Sund, his promoter, is gone. Ferry has no allegiance…
Acquired 4 combo guards w/o blinking once…
Harris, Morrow, Lou, Jenkins will command respect…
Open the floor for Smoove, Horford, Pachulia…
And shoot 100% less airballs in crunch time…
Rev in Tampa
August 9th, 2012
6:04 pm
Regarding the Dwight Howard blockbuster deal…
I won’t believe it until it happens. We’ve heard these rumors before and are likely to hear them again. I don’t like a lot of the the national NBA reporters (I dislike Hollinger less than the rest) so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt, but its my opinion that Wojnarowski is reporting crap just to keep himself relevant while all the attention is focused on the Olympics.
Earlier this summer any rumors that Atlanta might miss out on the Dwightstakes would have ruined my day, but now I’m just disinterested.
NekiUno
August 9th, 2012
6:19 pm
I just thinking that Dwight’s Camp stir up the pot again, so teams like the Rockets/Hawks and other will try to get more.
I think that at the end of the day, Dwight didnt want to come here and Orlando wasnt going to trade him here as well. I think right now, the Hawks is so much better off than Magic, its crazy.
anphill2
August 9th, 2012
6:27 pm
The Dwight deal isn’t legit. No way your getting a John Paxson and a 34 Y.O. making 40M over 2 years. Better have 6 #1 Draft picks behind it, and a butterfly yo-yo..
pointguardslim
August 9th, 2012
6:37 pm
Mr. Strickland you’re being obtuse if you are suggesting that Horford or Josh will ever replicate Dirk Nowitzki of 2006.
——–
Ken Strickland – NAJEH DAVENPOOP-So, you’re saying that we could become a championship caliber team without Dwight, but only if we sign a LeBron and DWade caliber player at those positions. Tell me, did the Mavericks have a DWade or LeBron caliber SG and/or SF when they defeated the Heat, with Lebron and DWade, to win their NBA title?
I certainly hope our players and coaching staff don’t enter the season with the idea that nothing can be accomplished unless we acquire DHoward, or a player, or players, of DWade and/or Lebron’s caliber.
pointguardslim
August 9th, 2012
6:47 pm
Also Ken the way you wrote your last post…
“So, you’re saying that we could become a championship caliber team without Dwight, but only if we sign a LeBron and DWade caliber player at those positions.”
“I certainly hope our players and coaching staff don’t enter the season with the idea that nothing can be accomplished unless we acquire DHoward, or a player, or players, of DWade and/or Lebron’s caliber.
Do you actually think this team is championship caliber right now? More power to you. We’re the smallest team in the league and we’ll be lucky to make it to the 2nd round.
Ferry himself deflected comments about making the playoffs.
” As for the short-term, will the Hawks be a playoff team again next season? “I believe,” Ferry said, “that we’ll be competitive.”"- Ferry opportunistic in rebuilding Hawks
Hawks are rebuilding, we might make the playoffs. But the Hawks organization is not expecting to breakthrough the 2nd round or make the NBA Finals or win the title. As Sad as that is.
Supreme Grand Poobah
August 9th, 2012
6:56 pm
Since Harris is a better point guard than Teague, shouldn’t Teague be the one we trade?
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 9th, 2012
7:32 pm
Harris may be better Poobah but he has problems with injuries.
Astro Joe
August 9th, 2012
7:44 pm
The Atkinson hire is part of the recruitment of Dwight. During a Knicks game, Howard made two consecutive free throws and Atkinson smiled at him. Ever since then, Howard has been a big fan. Expect Ferry to add Dwight’s HS coach to LD’s bench next.
Astro Joe
August 9th, 2012
7:53 pm
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Source close to Pau Gasol: Spaniard is not in the proposed 4-team deal that would bring DHoward to Lakers.
JaeEvolution
August 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
Try to get Brewer from Denver for Petro.
Nuggets are completely overloaded at SF position, and while they don’t really need a C you can never have too many big men and with Chandler coming back healthy he will take all of Brewers minutes. It also doesn’t hurt them in the long term as Petro is expiring after the season as well.
Pair Al with his old Florida buddy 6′9 long arms, energy defender and an athlete.
KevinM
August 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
I won’t say keeping Al and Josh is a bad thing, but I will say it is a move that probably isn’t strong enough to make us a contender. If the Magic want Horford or Josh, I would give them either one.
So Dwight can’t work with another big man? I don’t believe it. He hasn’t had a quality big man to work with. I would like to see him paired with Al or Josh and show he is capable of accepting help on the inside.
Putting 4 guys who shoot 3s won’t be the answer for D12. He has been to the Finals and probably should have gone at least one other time. But he has to have quality guys around him like any other superstar.
I see Josh and Teague or Al and Teague as a plus and either combo would be beneficial.
If you can get the best big man in the game, you go for it. You don’t let him play elsewhere. It’s that simple.
I take him and his issues in Atlanta any day over what I have seen in this organization since the days of Moses and Reggie. The city was electric when they played here. The Hawks were a tough ticket and would be again if D12 played here.
I was on the Shaq bandwagon to come here, and I applaud any effort Danny Ferry puts in bringing in D12. A big man is hard to come by and a superstar big man is even harder to come by.
Go get him Danny! You have an excellent forward thinking approach instead of the incompetence we’ve watched the past 4 years.
KevinM
August 9th, 2012
8:46 pm
Gasol and Afflalo to the Magic…I’m not buying what the Lakers are selling….ever!
You let LA squirm around in their luxury tax. You never give them anything.
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
9:28 pm
Metta World Peace and Josh McRoberts to Atlanta for Al Horford.
This would be a great trade for the Atlanta Hawks.(Provide M. W. P. does not elbow anyone in the throat again)
This trade works on ESPN trade machine. It’s a win for both organizations.
He's a 44 year Hawk fan ya'll know
August 9th, 2012
9:45 pm
“This may come as a shock to you and all of the other DHoward fanatics, but he hasn’t led the Magic to the promise land after 8yrs of trying. And there have been 8 champions crowned in those 8yrs without Dwight on their team.” -know-it-all-
“He has, however, led them to the NBA Finals. You know, that place the Atlanta Hawks have NEVER BEEN IN THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE.” -Najeh-
Guess know it all don’t know it all?
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
9:46 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=9×6smfy
Outstanding trade GM. Get rid of Al’s contract to bring in a more complete player…
He's a 44 year Hawk fan ya'll know
August 9th, 2012
9:50 pm
Submit Comments: After comments put forth by know it all, Why bother.
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
9:53 pm
PG-Teague/Lou Williams
SG-Harris/Jenkins/Morrow
SF-Peace/Stevenson/Korver
PF-Josh/Ivan/Jordan Williams
C-Zsa Zsa/Petro/Benson
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:09 pm
Do I have this right?
LA Lakers recieve: Dwight Howard (C) and Al Harrington (F)
Orlando Magic recieve: Pau Gasol (F) and Arron Afflalo (G)
Denver Nuggets recieve: Andre Iguodala (G/F)
Philadelphia 76ers recieve: Andrew Bynum (C)
–
Orlando looks like a loser
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:15 pm
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
Source close to talks tells ESPN that trade call with league office has been scheduled for Friday morning to process four-team Dwight deal
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:18 pm
Take it for what its worth
Deal is reportedly done.
Lakers receives Dwight.
Orlando receives Affalo, Harkelss, Vucevic, Harrington, picks.
Philly receives Bynum and Richardson
Denver receives Iggy
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
10:26 pm
I still don’t understand why teams continue to send their superstar players to the Lakers and Celtics and they end up with the short end of the stick. I can’t recall any team that traded with one of the those teams and then won a title with the players or picks they acquired. Lakers may end up with Nash and Howard to go along with Pau and Kobe… SMDH
Bruce HawkEye The III
August 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Lou should start at two before Harris!!!! No brainer!!!!
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
BREAKING NEWS DWIGHT TO THE LAKERS! FINALLY!
Big Al
August 9th, 2012
10:34 pm
Worked out ok for Miami (Shaq)…
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:35 pm
Lou Williams should start at the 2 guard spot.
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
10:36 pm
bjerry Lakers hit a home run!
Hawks? Well there’s always next year and the next and so on………………………………………….
2056
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
Lakers V. Heat Finals 2012-2013.
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:38 pm
If this deal goes down we know the Lakers was already a good team but more importantly as far as the eastern conference goes, the Sixers will be a lot better with Bynum and Richardson. ALso one other point I would like to make is I really dont know how the Lakers do it. They have bullied teams for their best players for years. No team has done what the Lakers have done. Even the Celtics went through a period of futility. I dont get how they do it. How do the other teams bend over backwards for the Lakers.
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:39 pm
Lakers will win 70 games next season, EASY. OKC will not beat this team.
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
10:41 pm
Melt throws a pick at the 10yd line..
Yea flame thrower is a good one..Anybody believe this buster is going to a Superbowl should quit smoking “weed” yesterday…..Sheesh…
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:42 pm
We cannot cry over what the Lakers are doing. I wish them well. The IDIOT Hawks gave them Pau Gasol for Shareef Abdur Rahim.(GREAT MOVE HAWKS)
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
10:43 pm
Big Al,
You are correct. The Heat did won the Champioship with Shaq…
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
Nash, Kobe, Artest, Pau and Howard is almost like an All Star team….
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
Its a wrap, Lakers in 6…
Can the Hawks get to a dam ECF in our lifetime?????????????????????????????????
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:49 pm
OKC still better. If Kobe and Nash were at least 3 years younger, Id be shook. But…theyre not. Westbrook gonna torch Nash and Ibaka owns Gasol. Kobe cant take over games like he used to. Dwights back is stil a huge question mark. LA has lots of question marks.
OKC HAS to be willing to pay the luxury tax and sign Harden and Ibaka now. That’s the only way they can compete with LAL for the next 3+ years
One thing with La is that they have a lot of age and Kobe’s game has slowed down a lot and injury and health will be a concern with them.. East as far as conference is going to be very interesting. As I see it now, this move probably elevates Philly between a 4-6 seed. Will be a very competitive east this coming season
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
10:51 pm
” The IDIOT Hawks gave them Pau Gasol for Shareef Abdur Rahim.(GREAT MOVE HAWKS)”
The Legend, the self described “Basketball Expert” himself no other than the Great Billy Knight!
Yea right…….
Big Al
August 9th, 2012
10:51 pm
Somehow I dont see the Magic winning anytime soon though. You’re point is still well taken, Melvin.