Atlanta Hawks Vs. Detroit Pistons: Game Day Audio

by Kris Willis on Mar 21, 2011 1:59 PM EDT

Those looking for answers about Jeff Teague may want to skip directly to the post game audio. It may not be what a lot Peachtree Hoops readers want to hear but Drew pretty much laid out the point guard situation going forward. To sum it up, Atlanta brought Kirk Hinrich here to be the point guard. Jamal Crawford is still in the sixth man of the year role no matter his play and is going to be rewarded with starters minutes. What that means is that the Hawks will essentially go with a three guard rotation with Teague getting minutes sporadically. I thought this audio came out well and there is some good stuff here to discuss.

Larry Drew Pre-Game Pistons:

Starting Lineup
Bench Production with Marvin Starting
Zaza Pachulia
Jeff Teague
Match Ups and Starting Lineup going forward
Tracy McGrady
What needs to be fixed?
How to avoid being labeled as soft?

Larry Drew Post-Game Pistons

3rd quarter
Zaza Pachulia contributions of late
Jeff Teague's absence
Hinrich is the Point Guard
Sticking to the Program
Taking the ball to the basket
More on Jeff Teague
Trying to get Jamal Crawford back on track
Rotations
Points in the paint
Joe Johnson more decisive

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Comments

I do agree that if Kirk is going to be the PG, he needs to play him there

Chemistry issues aren’t going to be fixed by moving him to SG whenever LD feels like it. Also, if there is resistance to adding him to the team, it’s only going to be made worse with a PG controversy going on. I’m still bummed for JT that the decision seems to be sit or start. I know coaches tend to shorten lineups heading into playoffs, but if we’ve got guys beat up a little and not producing anyway, seems like a good time to find the kid some consistent minutes. JJ doesn’t need to play 40+ every game and can grab a few at SF. I guess I see the problem more as a commitment to getting JC 30+ minutes rather than a PG controversy. I’m sure some people would still complain, but I’d prefer 16-18 consistent minutes for JT over this PT – DNP yo yo.

I don’t agree with his looking at matchups to set the starting lineup or decide who plays in the regular rotation.

by wjb1492 on Mar 21, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

You are exactly right

It isn’t a question of Jeff Teague Vs. Kirk Hinrich for playing time. It should be Jeff Teague Vs. Jamal Crawford for the back up point guard position. Let Jamal back up Joe and let Joe get some time at SF which they are already doing. If Jamal is having a game where he can’t miss then maybe let him play some point for a stretch in a high pick and roll set where he is on the attack.

I believe Drew was very careful with his words because he knows the perception will eventually turn to Teague Vs. Jamal.

@KrisPTHoops

by Kris Willis on Mar 21, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

careful with words

to not just say what he plans to do which is not play Teague. So, his words are really – I can’t come out and say it, but that’s what I plan to do and I want to give the illusion that I’ve been in his corner and can take credit if another Portland-esque performance occurs. But the truth is simply – I don’t believe in the guy. Period.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Mar 21, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably true

Which also kind of indicates they’re going to look to re-sign him, no? Makes no sense to worry about Jamal’s feelings or fan perception of the battle if Jamal’s not coming back.

Ideally, for the Hawks and not as a Kirk fan, if I were in charge I’d be looking to play JT at backup PG now to make sure he can consistently do the job, and if he can look to pick up another piece (center, kids, or picks) by trading Kirk’s expiring sometime next year and handing the team over.

by wjb1492 on Mar 21, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Explaining Jeff Teague's absence

He talks about match-ups, and how he was afraid of Detroit’s ability to create and exploit match-ups. Mind boggling, since he let Jamal Crawford play the PG role for basically 12 minutes, following a game in which he was repeatedly exploited against the Heat.

Even later, it gets more mystifying. The question is about “Okay, so you don’t think Teague matches up with Detroit?” The response is basically, he didn’t want Teague in at the start because Detroit had previously used McGrady and Daye in the backcourt starting against the Knicks, so he decided to use Marvin instead of Teague. Okay, it makes a bit of sense that he wanted Marvin in the starting line-up, but it doesn’t at all answer the question of why Teague didn’t play at all. I mean, surely, if he can’t match-up against McGrady, he’s able to guard someone like Stuckey, perhaps, in the 33 minutes he’s on the floor? Or at least Ben Gordon during his 24 minutes? But he didn’t even get on the floor when the Pistons had Will Bynum in.

And yes, I suppose getting Jamal “back on track” is a laudable goal, but it seems weird that it utterly conflicts with Jeff Teague getting on the floor for even 10 minutes, after being left out of the competitive portion of the previous game. I think “getting guys on track” should play a backseat to “getting guys we might need in the playoffs ready to contribute.”

by Bronn on Mar 21, 2011 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Great points

by ATLpaul on Mar 21, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

He clearly answered the question

Teague didn’t start because of the match ups, he didn’t play because he elected to leave Jamal on the court for longer in an effort to get him out of his slump.

You might not agree with the answers but they are there.

@KrisPTHoops

by Kris Willis on Mar 21, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t say he was evading, I said it was confusing. I don’t think anyone is really complaining that Drew didn’t go with his Hinrich/Teague backcourt to start. I’m personally not a fan. I just don’t see why Teague should be competing with Marvin Williams for minutes, but that seems to be how it’s developed.

The explanation that he’s giving more minutes to Jamal again doesn’t really explain how the rotation shrank down to essentially 7 players, with Damien squeezing in for just a quick segment. It required JJ playing 42 minutes, even though we’ve been hearing about how he isn’t 100%. Yes, sometimes necessary to play your starting guards for a lot of minutes, but it really stinks that it’s necessary against the Pistons.

And as I said, it just seems weird that he has to keep Teague off the floor entirely in order to help get Jamal back on track. I think Jamal would be better served if his role were established-that is, not asking him to be a ball-handler, mostly because it plays out pretty poorly for us, and just using him as a pure scorer/shooter.

by Bronn on Mar 22, 2011 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I'm saying he's lying

He doesn’t trust Teague. I didn’t believe what Woodson said about Law and Teague and I don’t believe what Drew is saying about Teague. Not his fawning over him vs. Portland and not his trying to tell us why he said what he said about Jamal.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Mar 22, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll address later..

but none of that is even plausible regarding Jeff Teague….the honest truth is – he doesn’t like Teague, doesn’t believe in Teague, and that rings true REPEATEDLY if you read between the lines. The Detroit Pistons are an imploding lottery team. If Teague can’t get on the floor vs. them, no matter WHAT the matchups are, then he’s not good enough to play in the NBA, period. And we know that’s not true, so let’s just keep it real. Teague’s time in Atlanta is over if Larry Drew comes back (heaven forbid) next year. let’s just stop harboring hope that Teague is going to play barring an injury to a guard (and even then, I’m not convinced). For every matchup problem that those guys would present, wouldn’t Teague present a similar problem in the reverse?

Like I said, just like with Woody, I’ve readily gotten to the point that you watch what they do and ignore what they say. I mean if he can’t see Jamal getting roasted on the defensive end at PG, then he’s a worse coach than I imagined.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Mar 21, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

how can you simply say the "honest truth" is "he doesn't like Teague"

How sure about that? Are you willing to go on record and quote LD? You might want to put an IMO behind such statements.

Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother.....Landlocked

by dstdeelite on Mar 21, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Honest truth..

I really should have not said honest truth because that’s redundant, but I stand by it. Actions speak louder than words. I don’t mean he doesn’t like him as a person, but as a player – it’s easy to see. Neither Kirk or Mike Bibby are the Hawks point guard that will take us anywhere in the playoffs, so the only reason you don’t play him is if you don’t believe in him. Period. Not interested in the IMO b/c that’s obvious, but I feel strongly about it. It’s not what they say – it’s what they do.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Mar 22, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Even Phil Jackson....

used Tyronn Lue against Allen Iverson in the 2001 finals to slow him down. Derek Fisher couldn’t do anything with AI.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Mar 21, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

BTW

Larry Drew can really put a player to sleep with that voice!! Yeah, Jeff teague will get playing time with the flip of the coin. One day he’ll start and the next he won’t play at all. With this treatment LD is saying Jeff Teague is just as bad as Jason Collins

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Mar 21, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions