On Jeff Teague's Role--Now and in the Future

via nimg.sulekha.com

So this is my first Fanpost--erroneous information but interesting nonetheless. I've been a Hawks fan since I was a wee lad, but only really got into the team two seasons ago.

 Now, I've seen a lot of hate spewed at Woody for not playing Jeff Teague more often--and no doubt, he's a good player. He displays flashes of brilliance, especially on defense, and he'll be capable of running the offense after a few years. Those come-from-behind blocks. Those jump shots. And from what I've read, he's a dilligent worker too. Make no mistake, Jeff Teague is a good player--but he's a better bench player.

On the flip side, you have the Bibster: aging, but knowledgable of the game. He fought against Kobe in his glory days and nearly won, too. At this point in his career--however successful--he's a prime candidate to teach Jeff everything he knows. And why is that bad? I'm not asking Bibby to surrender his starting role (that would be absurd), but to prepare Jeff for the future. Bibby was and still is a brilliant point guard--but the torch must be passed at some point. From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant; from Magic Johnson to Zaza Pachulia (I kid, I kid)--and now from Bibby to Teague.

Jeff is ten years Bibby's junior. In other words, he has a rare opportunity most rookies and sophomores never have: to learn from an experienced, reknowned player. That is his role for now: to learn. A first hand example? Darren Collison and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.

After Chris Paul was injured, Collison took over--no one expected him to explode the way he did. But after a few weeks, people began to wonder, "is there a point guard crisis in New Orleans?" Don't get me wrong, Collison did most of the work, but you always saw Chris--before a game or during timeouts--whisper or point out something. That's the role Bibby should play: the facilitator; the offensive lubricator; the teacher.

Or I'm just crazy, and the Hawks should start the rookie.

But--I know I'm not crazy, because I'll take experience over youth every game. 

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Go Hawks!