Atlanta Hawks: Drew makes it clear that Teague needs to play with energy (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
Larry Drew didn’t like the way Jeff Teague was playing. So the Hawks coach let his point guard know about it.
During halftime of last week’s lopsided loss at the 76ers, Drew pulled Teague aside to hammer home the message that he needed more energy from the position. The following night, Teague set the tone early in a lopsided win over the Bulls. Next, Teague scored nine points in double overtime en route to a Hawks victory Wednesday over the Pistons that came after a blown 22-point fourth-quarter lead.
“When he’s not bringing the energy, it’s my job to let him know,” Drew said. “I told him he was not bringing energy. For whatever reason, it was not there and he needed to bring it. He didn’t have a good night that night but he came back the following night against Chicago and I thought he played much, much better.
“It all starts with him. … That point guard position is a very high energized position. I’ve made him aware of it and I’ll continue to make him aware of it. I need energy from that spot. When he brings it, he makes us an effective ball club.”
The Hawks (17-9) will need similar energy from Teague in Friday’s game at the Cavaliers (7-23). It was the Cavaliers who erased a nine-point fourth-quarter lead in a 113-111 victory over the Hawks on Nov. 30 at Philips Arena. The winning points came on Alonzo Gee’s put-back with four-tenths of a second remaining.
In snapping the Hawks’ six-game win streak, the Cavaliers played without point guard Kylie Irving, out with a broken finger. He’s back now. Irving figures to give the Hawks more fits with his ability to dribble penetrate, an issue for the Hawks in the first meeting even without the start guard.
“Easier said than done,” Teague said of the task of slowing Irving. “He’s really talented. He can make shots. He can do a lot with the basketball. Try to go out there, keep a lot of bodies in his face, make him see a wall of defenders in transition and try to go at him at the offensive end.”
Teague had five points and three assists in the loss to the 76ers. He came back with 11 points and eight assists against the Bulls and a double-double of 17 points and 11 assists against the Pistons.
“I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to come out with a lot of energy and push the basketball and playing a more up-tempo style,” Teague said of the past two games. “I think that gets everybody going.”
The Hawks insist they don’t view Friday’s game with a revenge factor. Although the Cavaliers snapped a win streak, the Hawks escaped with a couple of victories in the run. They included a last-second victory over the Wizards and a three-point win over the Bobcats.
“It’s just about getting a win,” center Al Horford said. “Obviously, we dodged some bullets here at home from some other teams. We kind of felt we were living on the edge a little bit and one was going to catch up with us. Cleveland got us that night. It’s about us going up there and getting a win.”
Practice update: Guard Devin Harris will miss his fifth straight game with a sore left foot as he did not travel with the Hawks to Cleveland. Harris was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Josh Smith remains eighth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players in NBA All-Star fan balloting released by the league Thursday. Smith has 111,260 votes. He is behind Joakim Noah (129,331) and ahead of Anderson Varejao (99,955).
LATEST NEWS
* Hawks 126, Pistons 119 (2OT)
* Williams remains in starting lineup
* Hawks have lost two of past three
* Williams ready for return to Philadelphia
* Morrow out, Stevenson questionable vs. Wizards
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236 comments Add your comment
Rod from College Park
December 27th, 2012
4:48 pm
“Know”- No
MsDee
December 27th, 2012
4:56 pm
The Hawks and Indiana Pacers are also dark horse contenders to sign Millsap if Josh Smith and David West are not re-signed. RealGM
High-sider
December 27th, 2012
5:01 pm
@doc
————————————————————————
doc
December 27th, 2012
1:33 pm
well as i have said before it is about to get ugly in brooklyn.
all the smiles are now gone.
————————————————————–
doc, you said it would “get ugly” in Brooklyn and it turns out (that) you’re right. So, is it “Precious” ugly (from the movie starring Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe), “Celie” ugly (from “The Color Purple” starring Whoopi Goldberg), Tyrone Hill ugly (before he got his “grill” fixed), “Too Short” ugly (Todd Shaw before he got his “grill” fixed), Oprah Winfrey (without the makeup) ugly. Shabba Ranks ugly or Flavor Flav ugly (in full Public Enemy regalia such as the “Big Clock” necklace, etc)?
BravesFan79
December 27th, 2012
5:11 pm
How about Will the Thrill Bynum! One of my favorite players on that 2004 GT Final 4 team, and one of the most undervalued (along with Jarred Jack ) players in the NBA.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 27th, 2012
5:14 pm
“When he’s not bringing the energy, it’s my job to let him know,” Drew said.
Ok coach Drew…when Josh is missing all his 20 plus footers, then…IT’S YOUR JOB TO TELL HIM TO STOP!
I truly believe Josh has some photos of Drew from a LA hotel in a safe deposit box somewhere!
Slimjr
December 27th, 2012
5:18 pm
KevinM
December 27th, 2012
4:32 pm
“Some may laugh, but we would be better served with Zaza in the game at the end as opposed to Al. Just on FT% alone”
I hear ya KevinM! You maybe onto something?
BravesFan79
December 27th, 2012
5:22 pm
Glad others are now seeing that Morrow should be getting more minutes because of his scoring ability. LD has def held his game back.
MattP
December 27th, 2012
5:27 pm
LD is an idiot. The only thing he says is Teague needs more energy, not Smith. Teague was the reason the Hawks beat the Pistons in overtime. Where was Smiths energy? Oh ya, sitting at the 3pt arc and shooting jumpers. He never calls out anyone else on the team, it is always Teague’s fault.
Slimjr
December 27th, 2012
5:27 pm
hfc95
December 27th, 2012
4:29 pm
“Im curious slim jr?
if you were a GM and you, for theoretical purposes were forced to sign Al Horford(lol I know you never would) what would you give him? Say a 3yr contract for??? what would you deem fair market value for him, again I know you dispise him but entertain us, what would you pay him and why?”
Whats the matter Allstar AL aint given you enough entertainment? I will not waste your time in theory’s about Al’s worth..But I will say this, if you think this guy can lead your team to an ECF, then I would say a bridge in Brooklyn maybe available for sale to you.. hahahahaha
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
5:32 pm
Lowery’s best season he averaged 14.3 ppg, 6.6 assists per game while shooting 40.9% from the floor.
He’s not much of an upgrade, if any, over Jeff Teague.
And he turns 27 in March. Teague is 24.
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
5:39 pm
Jeremy Lin – 11.9ppg 6.3 assists per game, PER 14.46
Jeff Teague – 13.1 ppg, 6.5 assists per game, PER 16.4
Both 24 years old.
Do some of you guys even know what we’ve got in JT?
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
5:42 pm
4th pick mike Conley – 13.6 ppg 6.3 assists per game
Jeff Teague, see above
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
5:47 pm
5th pick Raymond Felton – 15.8 ppg on 39.6% shooting. Teague at 44.2%.
Felton 6.3 assists per game, Teague 6.5 assists per game.
Teague higher PER.
Felton out 4-6 weeks.
When’s the last time JT missed much time? Iron man last year.
Teague is blossoming into the pass first PG some of you said he’d never become before your eyes.
What games do some of you people watch? Any?
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
5:57 pm
Teague is averaging more assists per game than:
Stephen Curry
Brandon Jennings
Kemba Walker
Gorman Dragic
Jason Kidd
Conley, Felton, Lin, Jack and a ton of other “name” guys like the 40 million dollar man george Hill, who people think is a good value, Darren collision and more.
Wake up and smell the coffee people. Teague is getting good at the assist thing. He’s always been a scorer. And he’s usually around top 10 in steals, low turnovers.
Teagues a solid nba player, getting better, and is better or just as good as some of the guys some of you put ahead of him.
Blackula
December 27th, 2012
6:02 pm
Yes, the 10 dollars in my bank account is better then the 6 or 7 in
my son’s account
daughters account
friends account
friends friend account
joe mama’s account.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:03 pm
Notthcyde LD always has to make up some crap about JT to cover his azz when he coaches stupid,too bad he doesn’t.hold anyone else accountable,he has to pick on JT & Ivan. Last year he cost us the Celtic playoffs,this team will still win a lot of games in spite of him
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:11 pm
Grandad you don’t make any sense. JTis supposed to be a leader when every teammate sees how LD shows it no respect.dont you think JT would be a lot more successful if LD wasn’t always jerking his chain.Give the man a break,
Nate ArchiBALL
December 27th, 2012
6:17 pm
Assist per turnover – Jeff Teague is #52 all players
#43 all guards = 2.43 a/t
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:22 pm
Larry picks on JT because he knows that if he picked on JJ ,JS or AL he would be fired.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:24 pm
LD is such a big AZZHOLE he picks on JT when he just won the game for the hawks,LD certainly didn’t win the game for us.
Just Joe
December 27th, 2012
6:34 pm
Teague – 13.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.7 tpg, 44% fgs, 38% from 3 (2.5 attempts per game)
Lowry – 15.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.6 tpg, 40% fgs, 34% from 3 (4.6 attempts per game)
Difference is that Lowry is a consistent rebounder and defender, plus he’s a proven 3-pt shooter attempting over 4.5 per game in each of the last 3 years. Not a major upgrade over Teague, but he brings more consistency, and he can go off for a 30+ pt game on occasion. Teague, hasn’t scored more than 20 pts all year.
doc
December 27th, 2012
6:36 pm
steve w earlier today said teague will be asking for the ssne as conley and lin though i think lin will be more the scorer in time than the three of them. yes all three have similar numbers.
high sider all that and more ugly, promise.
soooo glad we didnt go after avery. he wanted too much money anyway.
kevin avery after about 160 games is only at a winning percentage if .333 with the nets. again they are a bad team if stack is playing over 15 mpg which he is.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:45 pm
Just Joe JT doesn’t score over 20 points because LD doesn’t let him .LD starts & plays Williams the 4th quarter & then putsJT in with 1.5 min left & with our lead lost. Does anyone call that good coaching.
Just Joe
December 27th, 2012
6:55 pm
Teague averages over 31 minutes a game. In 26 games, he’s hit 20 points once. Not more than 20, just 20. That’s just being timid and deferring to your teammates. And at only 6 assists per game, please don’t try to sell me that he’s a “pass first” point guard.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
6:57 pm
Grandad I always got the impression from you that the coach should rule with an iron hand & his players should hold him in high esteem,I always felt that hr would have to earn that respect from his players. I sure don’t believe that LD has earned that respect.
keith
December 27th, 2012
6:57 pm
Rubin’s Cube
December 27th, 2012
5:56 pm
*Time to trade Al and Teague”
Ditto!!!!!!!!
Just Joe
December 27th, 2012
6:59 pm
My buzz word for Teague isn’t “energy”, it’s “aggressive”. Dude is too passive, soft spoken, timid, etc… Hawks had to hire a coach just to hopefully bring out his “inner dog”. I like the kid, but if he’s going to lead this team for the next 5 or 6 years, he needs to find that inner dog, and start being more aggressive.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
7:00 pm
Keith still the village idiot.
Grandad
December 27th, 2012
7:00 pm
Clyde
I have recently detailed Horford`s shortcomings [on the blog]
and according to some;,- evidently -,; I routinely list Josh`s
many, many, many, many, deficiencies as well. [especially B-ball IQ]
I like Jeff, but not as a pg.
He`s a tweener ….. or a [1.5].
I also think in many ways he is very much the same player as is Lou.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
7:02 pm
Just Joe Well than we need him to walk away as LD will never stop FK ing with him
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
7:06 pm
Grandad Again I feel you are wrong Williams just looks for his own shots where JT always looks for his teammates.The hawks play well when JT is playing I give him a lot of credit for our record being as goo d as it is.
tyger
December 27th, 2012
7:09 pm
Bad Josh cant finish, schedule unkind…
It was painful watching the Hawks’ last 5 min…
That used to be JJ’s time, his attribute…he could finish…
Hawks now spread love around, so far so good…
Yet, schedule has been kind…not much longer…
Lenny Wilkens says beat all below .500 teams…
Split with above .500 and see what happens in playoffs…
Hawks on pace, yet below .500 teams running out…
Trampled by Warriors, Thunder, Heat…
Struggled with Wizards, Pistons…
Forecast: Cloudy and overcast…
Good Josh, Bad Josh – never so illustrative…
Brilliant for 3Q, painful down the stretch…
My biggest issue with the JJ trade…
Who would rise to the occassion?
Lots of 3.5Q players…
NYK v LAL – Gasol didnt have great 3Q but…
Down stretch, he rose to occasion…
7fter that scores easily in the post…
Exactly where we struggle…
Hawks at cross-roads?
Spend $14-$15M for decency?
Or $19M and a chance at a chip?
Ardilla
December 27th, 2012
7:15 pm
Smoove has got to go. I love his play, but can’t stand how stubborn he is. He almost lost the game for us last night with his pouting and mental mistakes. Hope we don’t re-sign him; better get something of value before the deadline.
Also can’t wait until we get a real coach who knows how to use his bench.
rainman
December 27th, 2012
7:16 pm
Tyger so the heat didnt stuggle with the wizards? They struggled with the bobcats the other night also. An i recall us beating the thunder one game this season so not sure if thats called being trampled. Us struggling with the pistons is nothing new, we struggled with them in the past because of their size. You are another fool, very similar to keith who thinks pau gasol will help us get better to contend for a title.
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
7:17 pm
JJ – that’s only a 16 game sample on a terrible team ( it was when he was starting) for Lowry, because he’s been injured.
Put Teague on a terrible team, and he may average more ppg also.
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
7:23 pm
Lowry is a better rebounder than Teague. Better at anything else? Debateable. JT averages more assists, has better shooting %’s, stays much healthier (to this point).
Doc, I don’t think I said Teague wanted as much as Lin and Conley. But he’s in their League as a player, I know that.
SteveW
December 27th, 2012
7:24 pm
JJ – And i don’t think JT is so great. But he’s not bad either
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
7:25 pm
Tyger is Keith or not then they are a match made wherever.
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
7:27 pm
Many people here are stupid thinking JT is not real good.
Just Joe
December 27th, 2012
7:30 pm
Steve…not a bad player at all. I just have my doubts about him taking that next step. Hope I’m wrong for the sake of my Hawks.
Grandad
December 27th, 2012
7:41 pm
From a Coaches POV
Having observed for many moons I`ve arrived at the following
conclusions at this point in time.
1st, we have an exceptional team.
Our team is most likely to win a Championship
but not out of the realm of possibility.
2nd, were I coaching, this would be my approach:
I have always liked a two guard system and have had success.
The 86 Celtics were *(opinion) the Geatest Team Ever;
The [original] Dream Team notwithstanding.
The 86 Celts had DJ and Ainge yet neither or both were the pg.
In other words they could / would interchange fluidly.
-NOW-
With Teaguer & Lou that could work when they are on the ct together.
However, my starting line-up would be:
[1] Teaguer / Lou – my starter would be the better defender
[2] KKorv
[3] Josh
[4] Al
[5] Zaza
Ivan would be my primary back-up Big
DSteve would be my def stopper off the bench
Morrow would be a regular as would JJenkins
As for improving the team for the future;
I trust DFerry !
-HOWEVER-
As a fan, I`ve looked at potential trade partners and FAs.
Nothing makes much sense as far as a trade.
We would only be trading our headaches, heartburn, and frustration
-for-
someone else`s antiques or garage clutter.
The really good young players have recently been signed
or, they are *untouchable. *[prime]
The Very Best Hope is DFerry will convince CPaul
to come Back to the South.
I`m talking about a real SuperDuperStar / GameChanger ! CP3.
In the meanwhile;
I`m not the Coach, LD is doing a respectable job.
Although, I still believe he Will-Not be back Next Season.
DFerry gets his man.
The Future is bright – and yes – there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
ATMAN
December 27th, 2012
7:50 pm
Well, said Grandad.
Grandad
December 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Our team is most likely to win a Championship
SHOULD HAVE READ::
Our Team is Most Likely *[Not] Going to Win a Championship !
Typo & Grammatical / Double Dippin`
JustSayinB
December 27th, 2012
8:05 pm
Nets management fired Avery Johnson. I look at how the Nets are playing; they looked worst than the Hawks did last year and the year before. Oh, that right-they got “iso Joe”. The Hawks did good to rid themselves of “trotter” Marvin and slow iso-Joe. Joe Johnson is on display for all the world to see-that he is the most grossly overpaid player and the Hawks were impressively dumb for making that trade in the first place. When Steve Nash and Joe Johnson was in Pheonix-it was Nash who was the real ballah that made Joe looked good. Why the Hawks didn’t see that back then-amazes me. They also had Armarie Stoudamire. I don’t like what the Nets did to Avery, but he had to take the fall for the underachieving Brooklyn Nets.
ATMAN
December 27th, 2012
8:06 pm
I filled in the “not”, figured that’s what you meant
keith
December 27th, 2012
8:08 pm
“MYOPIC MIDGET MONKEY BRAINS”
Anyone with “reasonable INTELLIGENCE” who watched that Basketball Game last night would have to surmise that the Atlanta Hawks will be a more complete team once we “Jettison” Jeff Teague and Al “Soft” Horford Outta here!!!!! They are holding this team back!!!!!
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
8:08 pm
Grandad I’m not really sure what you are really saying, all very generalized.
Mitchell
December 27th, 2012
8:11 pm
yall are blind if you cant realize teague is one of the main reasons our team is as good as it is. he keeps the offense going, looks to pass, penetrates, and creates. plain and simple. you are idiots who are saying he should be replaced. Hes a top 15 pg in the league and can only get better. Once he learns how to shoot off the dribble and gains some confidence in his shot he will be an all-star. Athletically, he is one notch below westbrook/rose and belongs in the same category as bledsoe/irving. The team collapses when hes out of the game, and his durability spoils yall as yall neglect to realize how bad our team would be without him.
Slimjr
December 27th, 2012
8:11 pm
1995-96: Greatest Ever? Bulls Win 72 Games..
Lost only 10 games? Wow! This maybe the greatest NBA team ever?
Rusty
December 27th, 2012
8:11 pm
Keith we all know exactly what your saying & it is real,real stupid.