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
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:51 pm
The Los Angelas Lakers are “now”the best team in the National Basketball Association(imo)
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
10:52 pm
brigadierjerry,
Remember Howard will be a free agent at the end of the season. There may be a possibility that he leaves the Lakers next season.
steven a smith
August 9th, 2012
10:54 pm
My “sources” tell me that the Lakers have assurances that Dwight Howard will extend with the LA Lakers.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 9th, 2012
10:54 pm
“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?”
Uh… they had a future Hall of Fame power forward who is one of the top five shooters of all time. Who do the Hawks have that is a future Hall of fame anything who is a top five anything of all time?
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:56 pm
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
ESPN source says Dwight definitely NOT doing extension with Lakers. Will test drive Lakerland for season and go to free agency in July 2013
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
10:58 pm
I can help but think that the Magic had the most desirable player in the deal which allow the other three team to improve more than them…. SMH…
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
10:58 pm
This Eastern Conference is improving everywhere…
Big Al is going to have to give em at least 20 and 10 every night. AllStar? Hmmmm
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:58 pm
Denver is the secret winner here..
PG: Lawson/Miller
SG: Iguodala/Brewer
SF: Gallo/Wilson
PF: Faried/Randolph
C: McGee/Mozgov
sleeper team..
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
Slimjr,
I think Billy Knight was the GM for Memphis when he traded Rahim to the Hawks for the draft rights to Gasol
Najeh Davenpoop
August 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
If I was the Magic, I’d rather keep Dwight and let him walk in the summer than do this deal. Don’t see how Afflalo, Vucevic, and some picks in the 20s do anything to improve them. Better off keeping Dwight and the gate receipts this year from having him on the team and dump the other salaries next summer after he walks.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 9th, 2012
11:02 pm
Great trade for the Lakers and Sixers, lateral move for the Nuggets, stupid move for the Magic.
Al Horford + 2 first rounders > the Afflalo/Vucevic package.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
Let’s be real, though — Dwight is going to re-sign with the Lakers. He’ll talk about testing free agency, but money talks, and the Lakers can offer more. This is why the Hawks should have pulled the trigger on trading for him even without an extension.
Ken Strickland
August 9th, 2012
11:10 pm
POINTGUARDISM-No, I don’t think the Hawks are a championship caliber with their current roster, and I’ve never said or implied as much. I did say we could become one without Dwight if we added a quality SG and SF. I don’t know how you figure our lack of superior height will prevent us from making it to or past the 2nd rd.
I know Miami Heat fans are glad their team’s lack of height didn’t get in the way of them winning this yrs NBA title. The average height of their 14 man roster was 6′ 5.89″ to our current rosters 6′ 5.59″. If you think the .030″ difference is any kind of difference maker as far as height goes, then MORE POWER TO YOU.
Rod from College Park
August 9th, 2012
11:11 pm
So we don’t get Howard, and Philly adds Bynum. Lose, lose for the Hawks. Teague and Horford plus picks is a better offer than Orlando recv’d. Guess they did not want to trade in the division, or they don’t value Horford as much as some do.
Magic GM
August 9th, 2012
11:16 pm
So guys instead of getting quality players of Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and Marshon Brooks, I decided to make the Lakers once again a dominant team and took on the all star talents of Aaron Aflalo and Al Harrington!
This was absolutely stupid of Orlando! This makes what the Hawks got in return for Joe look like a steal!
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
brigadierjerry
August 9th, 2012
10:56 pm
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
“ESPN source says Dwight definitely NOT doing extension with Lakers. Will test drive Lakerland for season and go to free agency in July 2013″
Good! Danny and his boys still have a shot at him next go round…
Bill
August 9th, 2012
11:23 pm
Why did the Dan Roundfield thread have to be shut down? To talk about the current Hawks? Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve gone from the penthouse to the outhouse.
kwooden
August 9th, 2012
11:23 pm
Rod, Orlando would have just been stupid to trade in the division, which is why I didn’t think we would get Dwight in a trade. (if though that is all I’ve hoped for since JJ’s been traded) Orlando is trying the really bad to really good model, by getting a lot of first round picks to add to their next seasons lottery pick. Ferry didn’t go all in and now will have a lot of cap space and few takers! I just hope that we can get a serviceable SF in here before training camp. I won’t be able take an entire season of bad defense and a lot 3’s.
GO HAWKS!!
soullrenaissance
August 9th, 2012
11:28 pm
Highway robbery or in LA’s case “freeway” robbery.
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
Orlando is screwed….
soullrenaissance
August 9th, 2012
11:32 pm
Slimjr – they must have wanted it that way! Dumb trade.
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
Did the Fal-cons get crushed by another “winner” Tonight again?
Preseason your azz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
The Magic fired Otis Smith and this is what the new GM does…. SMH
soullrenaissance
August 9th, 2012
11:35 pm
Yes, I am a little on the sourgrapes side. I know it was a long shot Orlando would trade him in the division but I was still holding out hope we could pull it off and snag his Bird-rights. Well, we have a long shot chance next off-season but I won’t hold my breath.
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
11:39 pm
Chris Broussard just said on ESPN that the Hawks was one of the teams who offer was better than what the Magic agreed to….
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:40 pm
“I think Billy Knight was the GM for Memphis when he traded Rahim to the Hawks for the draft rights to Gasol”
How did that turn out for him?
Well at least he got the Hawks job and continued the Hawks tradition of ZERO ECF appearances….He was consistent in that regard for sure…
Ravens 31
Fal-cons 17
Falcons ou
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:41 pm
Falcons scored 31-3! Just dam
Preseason your azzzzzzzzzzzzz
Slimjr
August 9th, 2012
11:43 pm
[out] scored ^^^^^^^^
Hawks Fan
August 9th, 2012
11:45 pm
Dwight Howard traded to the Lakers breaking news per ESPN.
soullrenaissance
August 9th, 2012
11:47 pm
Slimjr – Redman sux – man. Lighten up. If Ryan looked that bad with the starters then yeah, you’d have a point. Wait…Ryan did look that bad against New York in the first round last season – no offensive scores all game.
Melvin
August 9th, 2012
11:59 pm
Time for the Hawks to sign Greg Oden and Blatche. I doubt if Howard leaves LAL after this season.
Rod from College Park
August 10th, 2012
12:01 am
The Lakers, one of the best franchises in the NBA do everything they can to get Dwight Howard, including getting rid of the second best center in the league, but some of these idiot Hawks fans, (some of the same guys who thought Marvin Williams was a good basketball player) continue to make post about Dwight Howard’s attitude, and how is is we don’t need that in Atlanta. No wonder this is loserville. The Lakers don’t seem to be worried about his attitude. LOL
Melvin
August 10th, 2012
12:02 am
Orlando has officially become irrelevant again…
soullrenaissance
August 10th, 2012
12:14 am
Right on Rod from CP!!! That same mentality got rid of D. Justice, Deion, Sheffield and kept us from getting the likes of TO and Moss to play with Vick when they wanted to be here…Just come out and say you dont want no high-falootin, uppity thug atheletes stirring up the good N-words in this town…LA goes for top-flight talent. ATL wants wholesome guys who keep their mouths shut. There aint no choir boys out there, Eugene Robinson proved that. WE NEED STARS daggit.
Slimjr
August 10th, 2012
12:14 am
Soul, they did what?
Never seen a playoff offensive squad get shutout and by a 27th ranked defense no less?
He aint the one…
same ole crap coming up..
Stay tuned…
Melvin
August 10th, 2012
12:15 am
The Orlando Magic has officially become the Lakers minor league/farm team after sending them around franchise center….
Ra'mon
August 10th, 2012
12:17 am
There’s no way this deal was better than what Atlanta or what Houston was offering Orlando. Hennigan will be the new villain in Orlando. You have the best big man in the league. And all you get is Affalo, Harrington, a bench player, and 3 picks that will never be higher than #19?
soullrenaissance
August 10th, 2012
12:24 am
Yeah Slimjr – I had to check myself on that – I cannot defend this dude. Imagine if Vick played so poorly in the playoffs here! Imagine if Ryan beat Favre and Greenbay in the snowy Greenbay in the playoffs. He would be worshipped here forever – period. Ryan better show out this year or Blank may begin looking else where.
Slimjr
August 10th, 2012
12:29 am
Rod; its apparent that some [Atlanta Sports Fans] bar are set so low after following their respective team failures over the years…
They have become expert apologist and attack others who do not drink the Cool-Aid..
But it is their right to stay stuck “in the mud” for decades…
The scroll key works wonders…
Najeh Davenpoop
August 10th, 2012
12:39 am
“That same mentality got rid of D. Justice, Deion, Sheffield and kept us from getting the likes of TO and Moss to play with Vick when they wanted to be here…Just come out and say you dont want no high-falootin, uppity thug atheletes stirring up the good N-words in this town…LA goes for top-flight talent. ATL wants wholesome guys who keep their mouths shut. There aint no choir boys out there, Eugene Robinson proved that. WE NEED STARS daggit.”
I’m sure at some point, someone will respond to this by saying “well, the Magic have had Penny, Shaq, T-Mac, Dwight, and they haven’t won a title”. I’d still rather have had the Magic’s last 20 years than the Hawks’ last 20 years, by far, even with this joke of a Dwight trade. Damn right we need stars.
Slimjr
August 10th, 2012
12:44 am
soul: I heard Mr Blank was willing to trade Ryan and the kitchen sink to Denver for Payton..
Cause he knows this guy is a bust… 4-10 against the winners, 0-3 in the playoffs..
If they beat 3 or 4 winners this year, it will be historic….LOL!
[Joe Flaco],Ravens QB= 5 playoff wins and counting. Matt has how many? Hmmmmm
Mr Blank should ask Melt for a refund.. He paid almost twice as from much for his flame thrower…
Najeh Davenpoop
August 10th, 2012
12:44 am
Just how ludicrous does the Rick Sund-era “we like our core” sh-t look now? The Lakers have completed dismantling and rebuilding around a core that just won a title three years ago. No hesitation to trade their most prized young player. No hesitation to go $20 million plus over the new, punitive luxury tax. Meanwhile the Hawks pre-Ferry were content to stick with Joe, Josh, and Al spinning their wheels in the mud.
Slimjr
August 10th, 2012
12:48 am
delete[from] ^^^^^^^^
pointguardslim
August 10th, 2012
1:22 am
“No, I don’t think the Hawks are a championship caliber with their current roster, and I’ve never said or implied as much.”
Actually you implied that if we aren’t expecting to win a title its equal to not accomplishing anything.
“I did say we could become one without Dwight if we added a quality SG and SF.”
“I don’t know how you figure our lack of superior height will prevent us from making it to or past the 2nd rd.”
Well our goal is not the 2nd round anymore.
“I know Miami Heat fans are glad their team’s lack of height…”
And again we visit the Lebron James conundrum…
There 6′8 260 LB PG, SG,SF,PF. Not to mention Dwyane Wade.
The Heat don’t have a “quality SF or quality SG” They have Hall of Famers at SG and SF.
Do you have actual names that could make us champ caliber?
“quality SG or SF”. I know Harden is out there and is a quality SG. With IMPENDING Free Agency.
But I have a feeling you’re ready to start throwing out names at SF that teams won’t want to trade for and/or won’t make us contenders.
Ie Iguodala is quality, but he seems redundant and near incompatible with Josh Smith in the halfcourt.
Another quality guy is Gallinari, problem being how will you get him? You can’t.
Maybe the draft is what you mean? Hawks should draft a quality SF.
Sometimes statements like “we just need quality SF ” is pointless. Everyone “needs something” but few can get them and thats why so few teams win the title. Easier said than done
pointguardslim
August 10th, 2012
1:27 am
Get vet min Andray Blatche.
Ra'mon
August 10th, 2012
2:26 am
Guys, now that Dwight has been dealt, I’ll be surprised if the Hawks doesn’t make another trade before the season starts.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 10th, 2012
4:25 am
Blatche is a better option than Benson
Blatche is a better option than Petro
Blatche is a better option than Jordan Williams
brigadierjerry
August 10th, 2012
6:26 am
It will be interesting what the next Hawks moves are assuming Dwight signs elsewhere as well as Bynum.
Orlando is doing what OKC did in the past before getting better but the Nets package was much better or even Houston for that matter.
I hope Hawks do not try and trade Smith for Gasol.
Hawks will have to get secondary free agents if Dwight and Bynum sign elsewhere
MsDee
August 10th, 2012
8:43 am
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
ESPN source says Dwight definitely NOT doing extension with Lakers. Will test drive Lakerland for season and go to free agency in July 2013
For some strange reason, I STILL see Dwight choosing Atlanta over the Lakers or any other team IF he decides to become a free agent after next season. Yea, having teammates named Kobe, Nash, MWP, and Pau on your team sounds like peaches n cream BUT will those SAME names be effective 3-5 years from now?? THEY ARE AND WILL BE VERY VERY OLD AND PLAYING LIKE TMAC 3-5 YEARS FROM NOW. That is what Dwight will be looking at IF he stays there long term. Yea, The Lakers WILL have his Bird Rights’, well so did Cleveland who had LeBrons’ but he STILL close Miami cause guess what, HE KNEW HE COULD MAKE THAT MONEY UP WITH ENDORSEMENTS!! Dwight has the same opportunity as well. There are his current endorsements with Adidas and Sprite (I think), plus movie roles that Tyler Perry and others here in the ATL can offer him. And after reading some of those articles where it states we are the dark horse team who could land Dwight, I still see a strong possibility he comes to us. Our new found ‘core’ guys are and WILL be MUCH MUCH younger than the Lakers ‘core’ guys.
northcyde
August 10th, 2012
9:04 am
MsDee . . . it’s over. Don’t torment yourself like that.
The only reason why Dwight will not sign an extension with LA, is the same reason why JJ didn’t sign an extension with us back in 2009. When you go to free agency, you can get that extra 20+ million from the team that owns your Bird Rights. It would be stupid for either Dwight or Bynum to sign an extension right now, no matter how much these teams want them to sign one. You wait until the end of the season, then re-sign with the team you’re on.
LA > ATL in every way, shape, and form.
It’s over. Time to move on.