Hawks may have finally found their point guard: Jeff Teague
Jeff Teague has been solid as the Hawks' emergency starter at point guard this series since replacing the injured Kirk Hinrich.
After an inspiring win over Chicago on Sunday night, the Hawks are all even in their second-round playoff series against the top-seeded Bulls going into Game 5 in Chicago. But regardless of how the rest of this series plays out, there’s one important positive that is being overshadowed when it comes their future: They may have found a legitimate starting point guard in Jeff Teague.
Teague couldn’t get off the bench for Mike Woodson. He couldn’t get off the bench for Larry Drew either, which prompted the Hawks to deal for Kirk Hinrich when they sent away Mike Bibby. When Hinrich was injured at the end of the Orlando series and scratched for the second round, few expected Teague would be a competent replacement.
But through four games in this series, Teague probably has been the Hawks’ best and most consistent player. He has used his speed and is gaining more confidence in running the offense and guarding the NBA’s MVP, Derrick Rose.
“I have to give Jeff Teague a lot of credit,” Joe Johnson said after Sunday’s 100-88 win. “He has really stepped up and played big in this series. He had a few big defensive plays where he got steals and came down the court and he maybe could’ve taken the shot. But he pulled out and ran the offense. That’s big for a second-year guard. He’s been unbelievable.”
Hinrich, who could be available for the Eastern Conference finals if the Hawks go on to upset the Bulls, said his replacement is “playing great. He’s taken advantage of his opportunity. He’s been solid, good defender.”
Surprised?
“As long as he would just go out and play and not worry about the scenario or anything like that, I thought he would be just fine,” he said. “Obviously he has the ability and he’s fast and he can finish at the rim.”
After all of the franchise’s miscalculations at point guard, it could be that the search is finally over.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Hawks, Josh Smith bounce back in major way over Bulls
Earlier: LIVE BLOG: Collins starts but will Hawks show up?
Earlier: Hawks’ constant Sybil act reaffirms changes are needed
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169 comments Add your comment
Swingman912
May 9th, 2011
10:36 pm
My fellow bloggers, wat will Teague’s nickname be? Ironically, his initials are JET, and his speed reflects such, but aren’t there too many of those already? I’m goin wit JT 0!
SecondSage
May 9th, 2011
10:41 pm
Teague the Point Guard, WE TOLD YOU THAT A YEAR AGO!!!!!
bigg daddy nard
May 9th, 2011
11:02 pm
I’ve said all along give Teague a chance and see how good he can be finally. Now next year if he puts on 5 to 10lbs of muscle and develope a mid range jumper WACTH OUT NBA!!!!!!!!!!
djthescorpian
May 10th, 2011
2:14 am
ET-I think you’re right. The Hawks have a history of blow major trades and passing up on great talent. I hope the Hawks stayed up to watch the Memphis/Thunder game cause now they see how serious teams are when trying to survive. You literally have to be willing to give your life! Give all you got-and be smart-that’s all any coach would want. I still think the Hawks need to blow up their roster and start next season with younger players. If you look at the ages of some of the role players minus a couple of starters, then the Hawks are already past their prime. Josh may be around, but can be traded with value, because he’s only 25. Teague is young, J. Crawford is getting old. In the NBA, if you’re early to mid-thirties, then you’d better start looking toward the rebuilding future..We’ll take Bynum or Gasol, but not Odom. There are other teams that may have some nice pieces that we want.
Columbus
May 10th, 2011
2:55 am
The coaches had to realize how good he was. How could they not? Drew is not stupid. Maybe he did not feel the confidence in him coming from the staff or maybe was not confident himself. it had to be something that was missing. Something he was not showing in practices….Unless they just thought that a 2nd year guard was too young to run the team. It had to be something right? I mean there is no way he played like this in practice and still did not get decent minutes during the season? Maybe he just needed to know that he was needed and that this was his time and he needed the pressure. I dont know but it had to be something right? No way he played like this in practice and was still riding the pine. Had to be something….right?
odogg32
May 10th, 2011
3:05 am
Those idiots wasted 2 years not playing him. Part of the reason was because Joe Johnson wanted Bibby to start and get all of the minutes. Bibby would pass Joe the ball.
max money
May 10th, 2011
7:21 am
because they are having to carry the team in the playoffs, JJ and Josh will be wanting a huge raise in the offseason if they come back.
Truth
May 10th, 2011
7:21 am
Max money,
you must not follow the Hawks.
Danno
May 10th, 2011
7:31 am
Josh for a Center. I hate to say it.I hate to send a home town kid packing. Sure, he’s had some incredible games for ATL and he has a full highlight reel but I think he’s about as good as he’s going to get (or as good as he’s willing to get). Throw in Marvin as a bonus. Keep Hinrich and JC to come off the bench.
Mark
May 10th, 2011
8:04 am
The sad part is that we wouldn’t have even known what Teague could do if Hinrich had not have gotten hurt. Pathetic Drew! Yet Marvin has gotten chance after chance after chance. Marvin had 0 pt, 0 reb, 0 assist, but he got BLOCKED 4 times
The Horror....the horror...
May 10th, 2011
8:14 am
Wonder why Teague hasnt played more. Was awesome @ Wake…..Guess coaches didnt like him so much.
Double Zero Eight
May 10th, 2011
8:18 am
LD will have no choice except to start Teague next year.
LD will be back as a result of the Hawks playoff success.
ICECOLD
May 10th, 2011
8:59 am
The same people that’s dissing the Marvin and Hilton Armstrong for bynun thing, is not paying attention to what I said.. I said those two cash and a first round pick .. and any way .. I bet yall would he like, acie law and speedy claxton for jamal Crawford… that’s stupid.. your stupid..
All I’m saying is that they need to try something.. all we need is any starting big man that can defend other bigs, and rebound!! We have to try to do something
Just know anything can happen !!!
gt
May 10th, 2011
9:06 am
NBA has gotten like college in respect of point guards. They are becoming more important than the center and you have to have one that can play defense and drive to the basket and see the kick out. Teague has made Josh Smith a better player because he brings the play to the paint instead of the perimeter. He is also still listening to the coach, he wants playing time and has sat on the bench. Not only is he fast but he can twist his body and double pump as well as anyone in the league. This kid is special as long as he plays humble.
HJ
May 10th, 2011
9:22 am
For those that say Teague’s defense has been suspect this series, recognize that chicago’s entire offense is to set screens and picks for Derrick Rose to free him up. Teague’s been fighting through, over and under multiple picks almost every possession. If Rose torched anyone in any game, it was because the help defense wasn’t there or they didn’t switch quickly enough or come out far enough to allow Teague to get back to Rose. Teague’s defense has been solid, with few lapses.
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May 10th, 2011
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[...] – Hawks may have finally found their point guard: Jeff Teague [...]
GrandmaWilliams
May 10th, 2011
12:44 pm
Teague is AWESOME alreday. In this series with Chicago, Teague has OUTPLAYED Derrick Rose, and should be the Hawks starting point guard next year. If Teague doesnt start for now on, LARRY DREW SHOULD BE LINED UP IN FRONT OF A 15-GUN FIRING SQUAD and should be promptly fired. I dont mean a personnel move, i’m talking about bullets from a gun.
adam
May 10th, 2011
3:36 pm
@ Silver Surfer
Yes, clearly larry is a genius for putting in the biggest guy we have to guard players more powerful than the satus quo. And his descision to wait until the later in the season to roll out his master plan was… oh, wait.
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May 10th, 2011
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