Teague showcasing talents on national stage

[Jamaaliver]

AJC Writers seem to believe Jeff Teague is making quite a name for himself.

Jeff Teague is turning into an All-Star-caliber point guard in front of a lot of eyes.
On a national stage and under the bright lights and pressure of the NBA playoffs, Teague is turning in one impressive performance after another.

Coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's a great time of year, and lots of guys rise to the occasion. We are fortunate that Jeff is doing that."
Teague has made the playoffs in each of his five seasons after being drafted out of Wake Forest in 2009. In 29 previous playoff games, including 18 starts, Teague averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 assists. He has become an increasingly greater part of the Hawks' offense. This season he has taken on a substantial role in Budenholzer's system.

The defensive-minded Budenholzer also credited Teague's play as a defender as a major reason he has elevated his game.
"We see a lot of progress defensively, a lot of activity defensively," Budenholzer said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/25/4 ... rylink=cpy

4. THE TEAGUE FACTOR: The Pacers have no answer for Teague, who leads the Hawks in playoff scoring at 21.3 points per game. He took over in Games 1 (28 points) and Game 3 (22 points, 10 assists) when it mattered most....There was a question before these playoffs whether he was the Hawks’ point guard of the future. There shouldn’t be that question now.

http://jeffschultz.blog.ajc.com/2014/04/25/5-thoughts-on-hawks-teague-and-hey-wheres-hibbert/

Thoughts?
Predictions?

[Jamaaliver]

JT0 has indeed been very impressive in the series. RIP and ATLHawksfan21 have sung his praises for a while now, and he appears to be playing on another level.

He deserves all the credit in the world for what he's accomplished the last few weeks....

But I'm doubling down. Ten games with above average production can't undo what I've seen the last 3 years as a starter. His stock has never been higher, and I have doubts he can come back and produce at this level over a full season. He's been inconsistent for years, but clearly is a good fit for this system.

I'd float his name in trade talks this summer just to see what we could get for him. (Kyrie? Westbrook? Derozan?)

This is not really a reflection on Teague, just me cashing in a trade chip while it's most valuable. Great contract, vet PG, great playoff showing. He, combined with other assets, could finally net us a real superstar for this franchise. And at this point, I think that's what the franchise needs most.

Two years ago Josh Smith was putting up the best production of his career. I advocated trading him, Hawks fans refused. We waited too long and saw his stock drop precipitously over the next year. I don't want that to happen again.

[Rip2137]

10 games? Really?

Jeff Teague had 1 bad month this season. You aren't taking 10 games, you are ignoring 60+ games of allstar level production.

There is literally no reaon to trade Jeff Teague. Playing twice as much for minimally more production from guys like Westbrook, or Kyrie(there is no way in hell Derozan is available) is plain silly.

Teague is 17 and 5. Is trading for a guy that's 20 - 8 with HORRID defense and has gotten in a fist fight with a teammate(Irving) or a guy that averages 3 more points a game(westbrook).

8 million for Teague > 14.5 million for Westbrook.

You have a young PG coming off his best year with a very good contract and is showing confidence to lead the team...you want to float his name out in trade rumors?

[azuresou1]

I think you're crazy if you don't trade Jeff Teague for Westbrook

[theatlfan]

But I'm doubling down. Ten games with above average production can't undo what I've seen the last 3 years as a starter. His stock has never been higher, and I have doubts he can come back and produce at this level over a full season. He's been inconsistent for years, but clearly is a good fit for this system.

Agreed. The only issue is whether or not that everyone else is thinking along the same lines as we are in that we're trying to selling high so maybe they wouldn't offer as much. Still, if Jrue Holiday can reel in 2 lotto pick, then I'd have to think that Teague can land a decent return. The question is how much return do we need to make it worth it to us to deal. Personally, I'd have to start any talks off the Holiday deal aforementioned. The dream scenario would be a deal akin to the Howard deal in which we trade Teague to a 3rd team and collect a superstar. I know you like Kyrie, so I'll put this out: Teague to SAC; Kyrie to us; CLE lands 7, 15, and Jason Terry (exp). Just a thought...

Jeff Teague had 1 bad month this season. You aren't taking 10 games, you are ignoring 60+ games of allstar level production.

I can't think that I'd put Teague numbers in the AS category for any month this year - so forth 60 games. His better months were in two in 16/8 range at the beginning of the season and while I think his D has actually underrated this year, I'd think most would balk at calling him average in that area. Sure, there are AS who don't play D, but 16/8 wouldn't be a very good month on O for any of them. Don't get me wrong: I like Teague. I think he's a good starter and could be a decent 3rd option on a championship club. But if by dealing Teague I can come out with a stronger roster overall, then I'm at least listening...

[simon24]

JT0 has indeed been very impressive in the series. RIP and ATLHawksfan21 have sung his praises for a while now, and he appears to be playing on another level.

He deserves all the credit in the world for what he's accomplished the last few weeks....

But I'm doubling down. Ten games with above average production can't undo what I've seen the last 3 years as a starter. His stock has never been higher, and I have doubts he can come back and produce at this level over a full season. He's been inconsistent for years, but clearly is a good fit for this system.

I'd float his name in trade talks this summer just to see what we could get for him. (Kyrie? Westbrook? Derozan?)

This is not really a reflection on Teague, just me cashing in a trade chip while it's most valuable. Great contract, vet PG, great playoff showing. He, combined with other assets, could finally net us a real superstar for this franchise. And at this point, I think that's what the franchise needs most.

Two years ago Josh Smith was putting up the best production of his career. I advocated trading him, Hawks fans refused. We waited too long and saw his stock drop precipitously over the next year. I don't want that to happen again.

I agree, however, he's still inconsistent. He had a great game 1 and 3. However we see how he played in game 2 and 4. From the way he acted in game 4 with the Jordan shrug, he should have went for the game tying three in game 4 instead of Antic.

People expect this from Teague. Don't forget the Hawks won two games against Indy in the playoffs last year. Now if he can play aggressive two more games and lead the Hawks to their biggest playoff series win in franchise history, so be it, he deserves the praise but until then, I couldn't see him leaving ATL anytime soon.

[Rip2137]

So Jeff Teague, the 6th highest scoring point guard and 10th in assist, you want to trade to get guys that make twice as much money with slightly better production.

That's not how to run a team well. You want to eat up cap space so you can say "well, hey, we did get 4 more points per game!?!"

The only reason you guys think Jeff Teague is SO terribly inconsistent is that you must not watch other players on other teams. EVERY night some guy plays great then not so great the next night. Then string together some great performances, then hit a lull where they aren't that great. That's is basketball.

Its not that I am calling Jeff Teague untradeable, I am saying dangling him out as trade bait is ridiculous. He is a "you call us, we won't be calling you" type of guy. Unless some ridiculously talented player that is about to be a free agent is available, then maybe you structure a package around him. Or if you want to just sell some more tickets and jerseys at the cost of cap space then right ahead. But I think its a little shortsighted to say "hey, he played well...he probably is going to suck later so trade him". That's not how winning franchises think and its a shame that mentality still exist here.

[Rip2137]

I think you're crazy if you don't trade Jeff Teague for Westbrook

If Teague was making more than 10 or Westbrook making less than 11, then yes.

But 7 million dollars for minimally more production? That's not a great deal. You can add GOOD depth on the team, or even another starter for that money and have Teague AND that guy for what you would be paying Westbrook. I am not talking talent here, I am talking salary cap and smart team management.

[ATL Boy]

Westbrook was playing hurt for a large part of the year. When fully healthy, Russell is a proven 10 player in this league, especially if he was running a team instead of playing Robin to Kevin Durant's batman.

[Jamaaliver]

You have a young PG coming off his best year with a very good contract and is showing confidence to lead the team...you want to float his name out in trade rumors?

YES!!!!

That's not how to run a team well...I am saying dangling him out as trade bait is ridiculous. That's not how winning franchises think and its a shame that mentality still exist here.

i'm just not satisfied with being a losing team that goes out in the first round of the playoffs. I don't see Jeff as a player capable of carrying us to the next level. thank goodness for us, you're not the GM and Ferry is actually willing to make sacrifices to improve the team:

The Hawks want another major piece...the Hawks are likely to let everyone around the league know they have lots of assets and are willing to use them in the trade market if the opportunity presents itself.

They know they need at least one more even if Horford makes a fast and full recovery from the two unfortunate shoulder separations he's endured these past two seasons.

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/2267/summer-scoop-hawks-flight-plan

Sitting back and hoping someone comes to us with a great deal...is how mediocre teams stay mediocre.

[Jamaaliver]

Westbrook was playing hurt for a large part of the year. When fully healthy, Russell is a proven 10 player in this league, especially if he was running a team instead of playing Robin to Kevin Durant's batman.

Yeah, Russ Westbrook stepped up and had a superstar type of game with his team's season on the line. Teague, though solid, netted his season averages. He's a solid player who is simply not good enough to carry a team by himself.

[Yungsta404]

Westbrook averages in the 1st round

25/9/8 FG% 38

Teague averages in the 1st round

19/5/3 FG% 39

I would say that is better than being "minimally more productive"

[ATLHawksfan21]

I would take Westbrook and his much larger salary over Teague in a heartbeat. I can't say the same for Kyrie Irving though.

[Geaux_Hawks]

I like Teague at a much friendlier salary than RW at his current cost. For as talented as RW is, he can easily shoot you out of a game and make dumb decisions. You can live with Teague giving you solid, above average play with a mistake here and there over RW playing like an MVP one game and looking like a complete (Please Use More Appropriate Word) the next.

RW gets by with having Durant as the alpha. Teague has nothing close to that. With Teague, we can allocate more money to other positions also.

[azuresou1]

I can understand why you'd prefer Teague at his salary over Westbrook at max, but Westbrook can carry games for you singlehandedly. Teague can't.

[SBM]

Teague can carry games on his own and his done such. Teague is simply not as good as Westbrook though. On the other hand, the Teague hate is ignorant coming from Hawks fans. One minute people are claiming Dennis will be better from the beginning which was this year. Next minute they are salivating over Kyrie who didn't score a single point against us in a game. Next minute they are wishing for Westbrook and willing to throw not just Teague but Horford to OKC for him.

I will say it for the last time valuable contributors such as Teague, Sap, Horford, are not the Hawks problem. People like Korver,DMC, and even Brand are not the Hawks problem. The problem is we don't have enough pieces and that is Danny's fault

[Jamaaliver]

I think you're crazy if you don't trade Jeff Teague for Westbrook

If Teague was making more than 10 or Westbrook making less than 11, then yes.

But 7 million dollars for minimally more production? That's not a great deal.

Man, I hate the way Russ Westbrook plays. But he's been AMAZING this post-season. A dominant force. He's avg 26 ppg 8 rpg and 8 apg for the playoffs including three triple-doubles. In the 2nd round he's avg 30 ppg and 8 apg on 52% shooting thus far. That's production on par with Lebron, Durant, Steph Curry.

THAT's what the difference in salary gets you from a superstar. Dominance in the biggest games of the season.

[azuresou1]

Agreed. Westbrook is a Top 10 guy in the NBA. Teague MIGHT crack Top 50.

[SBM]

Once again the Teague hate is silly. I just saw Chris Paul foul a 3 point shooter, turn the ball over in the backcourt, and turn the ball over on the last play without getting a shot. Never saw Teague be that bad under pressure or make that many mistakes within a short period of time costing his team the game.

[ATLHawksfan21]

I think you're crazy if you don't trade Jeff Teague for Westbrook

If Teague was making more than 10 or Westbrook making less than 11, then yes.

But 7 million dollars for minimally more production? That's not a great deal.

Man, I hate the way Russ Westbrook plays. But he's been AMAZING this post-season. A dominant force. He's avg 26 ppg 8 rpg and 8 apg for the playoffs including three triple-doubles. In the 2nd round he's avg 30 ppg and 8 apg on 52% shooting thus far. That's production on par with Lebron, Durant, Steph Curry.

THAT's what the difference in salary gets you from a superstar. Dominance in the biggest games of the season.

and that's with hardly no spacing on his team. Look at the starting lineup. Him and Durant are the only consistent scorers. Ibaka is a good scorer when he is on, but he is cold 50% of the time.

Surround Westbrook with shooters and he would be deadly. I also blame a lot of Westbrook's faults on Coach Brooks. They run the same play on offense every time down. It's iso Westbrook or iso Durant every time and Durant is too lazy to get open half of the time so Westbrook is forced in to taking a bail out shot. You put him in to our system with tons of movement and elite outside shooters and he would terrorize the Eastern conference.