Hawks guard Jeff Teague spoke to the media Friday morning, a day after being named to his first NBA All-Star team. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Q. Now that it's official, how do you feel about being an All-Star for the first time?
A. It feels great. It's a huge honor. I'm glad some of my teammates are going to be part of it too. I'm happy for the whole Hawks organization. It's a big celebration for us from where we are coming from. It's exciting.
Q. Did you imagine this at some point when you started your career?
A. Yeah. I worked hard and just wanted to be the best player that I could be. I'm still growing as a player now and want to continue. It's more important about our season and how we are playing now. We have a big game tonight.
Q. When you woke up today, what felt different knowing that you are an All-Star?
A. Nothing, just my teammates congratulating me. That was the only thing. Everything else was same old, same old.
Q. How mad is Kyle (Korver) because all of you guys wanted to go?
A. He's not mad. He is happy for us. That is just the kind of guy he is. He puts the team before himself every time. Most of our group is like that. I'm happy that Paul (Millsap) and Al (Horford) and I were able to make it and that Coach (Mike Budenholzer) is coaching.
Q. When you first learned of your selection, how much did you think back to your rookie year when you didn't play much?
A. Me and my brother and I were talking about it, how it was a struggle just to get on the court. When I got two points a couple of games we were ecstatic, talking about how 'You were doing your thing tonight' and how things have changed. It's all a testament to Coach Bud for giving me an opportunity and letting me be me.
Q. Where were you when you got the news?
A. I was actually sitting on the coach. I was about to go to the movies but I forgot Scandal was about to come on. So I had to stay at home and watch Scandal. … I was that's cool but I was excited about Scandal. Seriously, that's my show.
Q. You take any more from the fact that three of you going is more a statement about what the team is doing and not what you as individuals are doing?
A. It's all a team. It's a collective effort. Guys have been playing great. Our record speaks for it. Getting into the All-Star Game was big but we are more concerned about getting into the season and make something special happen.
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