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
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
9:09 am
Vava…”Teague’s game is to handle the rock and attack attack attack.”
That’s all I want. Don’t try to make the young man in to Steve Nash. Teague should be averaging 4-6 free throw attempts per game (like Parker…like Lowry). Be aggressive, young man.
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
9:11 am
@TOTO
———————————————————-
TOTO
December 28th, 2012
8:50 am
Good Hawks! This is to Slimjr, High-sider and Rod from College Park. You’re referring to LD as Lame Duck well I refer to you three as “LD” – Local Dummies
———————————————————
“So Wat Cha Sayin’”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4HJ-xvmSyo
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
9:20 am
doc,
I “read” you loud and clear. I’ve been “molded and shaped” by my experiences and I (sometimes) see everything through a “prism of race.” I wasn’t trying to disrespect you in any way.
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
9:26 am
doc,
I posted the (”YouTube”) videos (partially) in jest.
MsDee
December 28th, 2012
9:29 am
Many on here saying that the Nets were wrong in firing Avery Johnson. I have to disagree. I dont really think he was fired based ONLY on the record. I think he was fired because he lost control of his players. I mean, u have some who like Avery then u have some who felt like he wasnt calling the right plays at the right time (DWill). Instead of Avery sitting down after games or practices to see what works best with the players on his team, he just stayed consistent with what was obviously not working which got himself fired!! On NBATV, Jon Berry said both Joe and DWILL were avg well below their career numbers in FG%. THAT’S ON THE COACH!! And on top of that, THE PLAYERS HAVE NOW LOST RESPECT FOR YA. But I will say this, Brooklyn’s organization along with the pressure of JayZ boosting this team up b4 a single game was even played, definitely placed unnecessary pressure on Avery Johnson then need be. That could have happen to ANY COACH!! Case-in-point, Mike Brown of the Lakers. TOO MUCH PRESSURE B4 A SINGLE GAME WAS PLAYED!!
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
9:29 am
Ken, everything you’re saying about Teague’s personality, or his need to be supported by his coaching staff, just reinforces my concerns. Dude’s 24 yrs old now. This is his 4th year in the league. He’s a league-avg PG right now (yes, unfortunately that still makes him the best we’ve had since Mookie), and we have to make a decision on his future this summer.
Question: Based on what you’ve seen so far this year (10-20 pts per game, 5-10 assists, 1-2 steals, 1-2 rebounds, 2-3 turnovers), if New Orleans offers Teague a 4-yr $40M+ contract on day 1 of free agency, are you matching?
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 28th, 2012
9:31 am
MVT!
Without Jeff, the Hawks lose to the Pistons! Where is the accolade for that? Why blame Jeff for recent losses when the whole team is NOT rebounding the ball and, the Coach’s player rotations suck to high heavens?
Leave Jeff alone! And, STOP calling him out in the local rag-tag newspaper, fool!
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 28th, 2012
9:39 am
Gone Bye - Bye!
Mr Napoleon is gone bye-bye. Before Avery was hired, many of us on this blog opined about the micro-managers that wear on peoples nerves.
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 28th, 2012
9:44 am
Nerve Wreckers!
Doug Collins
Larry Brown
Avery Johnson (the voice)
Stan Van Gundy
Thomas Thibbadeau
These type high intensity personalities have a very short shelf life and, can only be digested in small bites/doses. Imho
Rusty
December 28th, 2012
10:05 am
drmaryb. You 100% right on with every thing you said about JT .he is perfect for this team,gets out & runs,doesn’t turn the ball over much,only one who penetrates,very unselfish always looking for his teamates and playe great defense which would be even better if he wasn’t always playing help defense.
Rusty
December 28th, 2012
10:07 am
I would definetely pay him 40m for 5 years especially if LD is gone.
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
10:12 am
Rusty, not $8M a year ($40M/5), we’re talking over $10M a year ($40M+/4)? Isn’t that what Curry, Lawson, and Holiday got? (Can’t remember & too lazy to look it up)
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
10:14 am
Since Avery Johnson has been fired (as the Nets head coach), my (next) question is: What is NBA TV going to do with (all) those current (and [perhaps] future) episodes of “The Association: Brooklyn Nets”? Is it (now) “apropos” for someone to (”step up” and) say (that) “the show must go on”?
http://www.nba.com/the-association/brooklyn-nets/
vava74
December 28th, 2012
10:15 am
Just Joe,
I like Teague a lot, but under the current CBA, 10 million per is too much for Teague.
6 to 7 million is more than enough to cover his current production.
vava74
December 28th, 2012
10:27 am
And any decision about Teague should come AFTER the push for the targeted free agents.
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
10:27 am
FIRE DERON WILLIAMS!
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
10:36 am
I wonder if some of you guys are as thin-skinned and soft as you act when someone says anything critical of your favorite player. Do you cry in your pillow when your boss suggests that you need to do better? It seems highly unlikely that LD’s comments came AFTER the Pistons game… think of the timing people. Re-read the posts, the games mentioned were from last week.
Most head coaches are more likely to forgive physical mistakes rather than mental ones. Mike Bibby simply did not have the agility to defend quick PGs, but as long as he made the righ mental decisions (i.e., attempted to funnel his man into a help defender), he mostly went without criticiam. You can’t coach a player to be more physically able than he is. But things like effort, fighting through a screen, constantly pushing the tempo… all of those are MENTAL things. And a head coach should NEVER accept anything less than exceptional mental performance.
Seriously, is LD supposed to tell Horford to grow 2 inches? Is he supposed to tell Zaza to catch the ball better? Is he supposed to tell Korver to be stronger when he is playing post defense? Those are all physical limitations. You can’t fix those through coaching or ‘calling out a player for being too short, having bad hands or not being physically strong.
Speaking of Bibby, imagine if Bibby had allowed a back-up PG to go for 30+ against him. I kind of doubt we’d see the same out-pouring of support as found on this blog.
vava74
December 28th, 2012
10:46 am
AJ,
I think you make valid points, but in the past, Horford was substantially more forceful in the post.
I think that breaking TJ Ford’s neck made him substantially less stern on D.
Defense, even in the post, is not only length and reach.
It’s also wanting to do everything, including hard fouls, to make your adversary wonder if they go full force may end up with them knocked down and hurting.
doc
December 28th, 2012
10:48 am
high sider you used the exact words i came close to using that of only viewing life through “one prism”. means you see fewer exciting colors:
also in my work now i suggest folks work to reframe thoughts and to see how many different len’s they can use before making a conclusion.
we will continue this uh, discussion more probably and again with respect.
Duluth Joe
December 28th, 2012
10:55 am
A salary of 7-8M per year is fair for Teague.
George Hill makes 8M per year.
Lin averages to 8M (approximately) per year.
Teague is equal level player to both George Hill and Lin.
Lawson and Holliday make around 11-12M per year.
Lawson last year and Holliday this year have performed better than Teague.
Duluth Joe
December 28th, 2012
11:05 am
“Mr Napoleon is gone bye-bye. Before Avery was hired, many of us on this blog opined about the micro-managers that wear on peoples nerves.”
DrMaryb may be correct. There were rumors about Avery’s style back in his Dallas days. I wonder if his style may have grown tiresome with Nets veterans. Though certainly Nets seem to have unreal expectations of a team coming together quickly.
This is another reason why Larry Drew has elements of a good coach in NBA. His style works well with veteran players. Even when he has issues (disciplinary) with Ivan, T-Mac, Josh Powell in the past, or when he has benched Josh, we hear very little about what happened. Ability to work with veteran NBA players is something Avery may not have mastered.
LouWill83
December 28th, 2012
11:08 am
Bought the NBA league pass Hawks Pass yesterday and have been watching 4th quarters of all Games for the season. Jeff Teague has been huge late in games in so many ways with his dribble penetration so LD better back off and start giving the young one more confidence to run the show
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
11:09 am
vava, I only saw the last few minutes of the 4th quarter and thw 2 OTs. When Horford made a move to defend Bynum, the Pistons hit Drummond on alley-oops. When he stayed with Drummond, Bynum was able to get to the rim. In previous years, fans would have pointed to the ability of the opposing PG to get drible-penetration into the lane. But during the Pistons game, all fingers were pointing at Horford because he was unable to defend both the PG AND the athletic center (at the same time). I agree with all who said that Horford did a poor job of defending both Bynum AND Drumond. Of course, I would suggest that 9 of 10 centers wouldn’t be able to defend both of those guys and that maybe, just maybe, keeping the PG out of the lane wasn’t Horford’s responsibility.
To your other point, yes, Horford doesn’t bang as much as he used to but he is a much better player than when he was 2-3 years ago. This season has only confirmed what I have said ad nauseum, if Josh, Al (or Joe Johnson) are your best players, then your ceiling is the 2nd round. Watching Josh and Al get more touches has not changed my opinion.
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
11:10 am
To: vava74, Duh and all (other) Jamal Crawford haters
Happy Holidays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvUa8csd_DE
MsDee
December 28th, 2012
11:11 am
Drew puts so much pressure on Horford with his 2 foul rule that Horford just plays alittle too careful when it comes to fouling players hard in the lane, esp when the PG’s are allowing them to just run free in the lane. Horford still has his man to look out for underneath the basket.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
11:19 am
” I am not a Horford hater, I call it like I see it. On every team, I’ve ever played on the center is always the last line of defense. Regardless of what the guards do, you as a center must protect the rim. Teams never attack Josh at the rim, they always go at Horford. I wonder why? Allowing point guards to go right at you with no resistance is not good defense on any level.”
It tires to watch this dude watch a layup line form in the painted area..Doe this guy ever foul out? Does he ever ever take a charge? Hmmmm
The purple haze is thick[His fan club]…
Hey TS, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
11:20 am
Does^^^^^
MsDee
December 28th, 2012
11:21 am
SlimJr,
“It tires to watch this dude watch a layup line form in the painted area..Doe this guy ever foul out?”
Does LeBron ever foul out????Hummmmm, well of course not if u can make 1 foul ever 2 years..
vava74
December 28th, 2012
11:24 am
High-sider,
I am not a Jamal hater, I simply don’t live inside his jock like you do, looking at his underachieving career with Babie’s rosy glasses that turn everything sooo wonderful.
Jamal this year is on fire, top 5 material in the season and it will be huge injustice if he is not invited to the All-Star game by the coaches.
However, as I said before, this year’s Jamal only accentuates my feelings of the Jamal in the past given that he finally started to behave like a pro 12 years into his career.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Yes its thickkkkkkk
LouWill83
December 28th, 2012
11:33 am
can someone please tell me where can I find following stat:
Rank of playert FT Attempt per game
thx
Duluth Joe
December 28th, 2012
11:37 am
Vava74, speaking to Jamal’s time in Atlanta, as that is only period when I followed him closely, I wouldn’t call him an under-achiever. If anything, he was a difference maker, and one that both fans and teammates praised, and was officially recognized by him winning sixth man of the year award.
Sometimes, how you perform based on your record, is a direct function of the team(s) (weak teams) you play on.
vava74
December 28th, 2012
11:42 am
AJ,
Not commenting on the Pistons’ game, which I did not watch more than the condense version of the NBA league pass and from which I will not draw conclusions.
My feelings towards Al’s diminished physicality relate to a period of more or less 2 years. IMO, this has affected how opponent see the Hawks’ painted area.
MsDee has a point as well since LD is completely orthodox about his 2 foul rule which almost invariably ends up with the player that reaches that point sitting on the bench for crucial periods and that certainly changes how they approach D.
I rather have my best men working during a consistent period and build a lead that allows to sit them further down the road than preserving them at the cost of being less competitive during what many times is a crucial moment in the game.
Also, did Al ever foul out?
LouWill83
December 28th, 2012
11:45 am
Teacher: Hi Students, your assignment for the day is attached below. You have 2 minutes to answer. Begin.
Question: What do the Hawks Management have to do to make this team a contender?
Top Answer: They need to get a list of the top 7 FT Attempts players per game. Once that list is retrieved, they need to put those 7 names in a box and have Bob Rathbun randomly pick one name from it. Then they need to throw all the cash they have on that player, dont worry they will make back that investment in no time once philips will sell out evrey night and from jersey sales.
Teacher: Wow student, you should be proud of that answer. 98 Percentile. Good Job. Lets have s..x
vava74
December 28th, 2012
11:47 am
Duluth Joe
December 28th, 2012
11:37 am
Jamal had a very good first season and an average second season, partly due to LD playing him at the PG slot.
However, it’s always underachieving since his offensive talent is over the moon and he could have been much better than he has been until now.
Jamal’s shot selection (prior to this year) has been consistently worse than Josh’s however people seem to be more into Josh’s than into Jamal because even the horrible shots that Jamal take “look nice” whilst Josh’s airballs are nasty to look at.
However, the end result the same. Jamal has always played like a show-boater, almost autistic, not particularly interested in his team-mates or with an eschewed perception of what he could or not do to help his team win games.
And on defense, I have never seen such a disinterested player.
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
11:49 am
Lou…so that’s Dwight, Harden, Durant, Kobe, Love, Melo, and Westbrook. I understand now.