Coach Drew's limiting Teague's minutes vs. Spurs was counterproductive

[hawks21]

San Antonio is a fundamentally sound team, but the Spurs' fast guards has always been a problem for the Hawks. Jeff Teague needed to play more like 20 to 24 minutes and with the likes of George Hill, Tony Parker and Manu Ginaboli.

Kirk Hinrich doesn't have the foot speed of Teague and got into foul trouble while defending Parker. and Manu.

Hinrich is a better defender than Bibby, but I would like to see Teague more at PG and maybe move the 6'4 Hinrich at shooting guard for a few minutes.

However, a turning point was when Teague committed a turnover when Jamal Crawford didn't come to the ball and the Spurs push their lead to five. The game wasn't over, and it was a mistake, the first and only turnover for Teague. However, I believed Drew OVER-REACTED when called timeout and yanked Teague... and then it opened the door for the Spurs' guards to drive even more at Hinrich.

Drew has to accept HIS SUCCESS as coach is predicated on the development and impact of Jeff Teague..

The trade of Mike Bibby pretty much put Teague in a sink or swim situation.

Teague's speed and defense has to be on the floor at PG at least 20 to 24 minutes-- or more..

Against Orlando in the playoffs, who's going to defend Jameer Nelson--- Jamal or Jeff Teague..?

Edited April 6, 2011 by hawks21

[niremetal]

I agree that the use of Teague tonight was ineffective, but for a different reason - we needed him to have more minutes with the first unit rather than the second. I think he showed that he fits better with the first unit in the games he started, but we haven't seen him play many first unit minutes since then.

That being said, Teague wasn't effective against TP tonight in the few possessions he tried. He still doesn't move his feet consistently. It doesn't matter how much footspeed you have if you don't move your feet. And offensively, Teague is just a nonentity. On too many possessions, he just passes the ball to Jamal and gets out of the way, which basically makes him...well, a nonentity.

The refs called way too tight a game on reach-ins tonight. It was bizarre. A lot of fouls against Hinrich and Damien are calls you don't ordinarily see made.

[hawks21]

I agree that the use of Teague tonight was ineffective, but for a different reason - we needed him to have more minutes with the first unit rather than the second. I think he showed that he fits better with the first unit in the games he started, but we haven't seen him play many first unit minutes since then.

That being said, Teague wasn't effective against TP tonight in the few possessions he tried. He still doesn't move his feet consistently. It doesn't matter how much footspeed you have if you don't move your feet. And offensively, Teague is just a nonentity. On too many possessions, he just passes the ball to Jamal and gets out of the way, which basically makes him...well, a nonentity.

The refs called way too tight a game on reach-ins tonight. It was bizarre. A lot of fouls against Hinrich and Damien are calls you don't ordinarily see made.

Teague makes fundamental mistakes, but Drew and the staff has to keep 'coaching him up' and keep him in the game with regular minutes. Teague does have an impact defensively and early in the game he attacked the basket and got fouled.

I wish he was more of a Kemba Walker type of player, but Teague's skillset defensively has to be on the floor.

The Spurs didn't run away from the Hawks and didn't beat us by 30, but Teague's presence is more positive than negative despite his limitations and experience.

[HawksFan87]

Teague has to EARN his minutes ..

[TNHawk]

Teague has to EARN his minutes ..

But Jamal doesn't ...

[HawksFan87]

But Jamal doesn't ...

lol at you giving a negative rating for that comment !!

And yes Jamal has earned his minutes, him not playing affects us.

[RedDawg#8]

Everybody needs to earn their minutes, not just Teague. That line of thinking is exactly why we havent developed any good players since Al (if he even counts considering the only thing hes improved was a jumpshot). If our vets stink it up which they are prone to do often, they need to watch the game from the bench too. Teague isnt a rookie anymore, when he plays well he deserves to get on the court. Drew keeps saying he has confidence in him but he doesnt. He is afraid to let Teague play through mistakes, unlike letting Jamal get 30+ mins so he can get out of his slump, or constantly allowing Joe to iso in the 4th even if his shot isnt falling. Our starter dont have any pressure to produce because no matter how they play they know they will still get on the floor. Why dive for a loose ball or take a charge, there arent any consequences. Thats why even though he is struggling I like the fact that Hinrich has foueld out the past 2 games. It shows he is playing with effort. Whens the last time any of our regulars fouled out? And Teague is the same way, he is constantly playing with effort, he never takes a play off, same as Wilkins.

Point being: Teague does earn his minutes through effort alone. Id rather watch him hustle all day and miss some shots than watch our "talented" starters walk around looking lost like they are the Rookie.

[TNHawk]

lol at you giving a negative rating for that comment !!

And yes Jamal has earned his minutes, him not playing affects us.

Do you mean positively or negatively?