Jeff Teague's name is more likely to be associated with DNP than MVP.
Yet Hawks fans on Saturday night briefly serenaded Atlanta's second-year point guard with the chant normally reserved for the NBA's stars, not a player who has 10 "did not play" designations in 10 of 66 Hawks box scores this season.
"It's funny," Teague said. "I don't play much and they were saying that."
The fans were inspired by Teague's season-best performance during Atlanta's 91-82 victory at Philips Arena. Teague's highlights included a frenetic sequence of three steals and six points over the final 12 seconds of the first quarter.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan said Teague's burst was key to the Hawks ending their losing streak at four games.
“It gave them some energy and got them right back in the game," McMillan said.
The task now for Teague is to parlay his big game into a permanent spot in the rotation. He's had some strong outings this season only to return to the end of the bench because coach Larry Drew didn't think Teague stayed aggressive.
Atlanta needs Teague to be consistent because he's the team's only reserve point guard. Jamal Crawford, a natural shooting guard, has filled that role.
"We have to be that little birdie on his shoulder to constantly remind him how good he can be and how good it makes our team," Drew said. "It's about the energy, the speed, the quickness that he brought which impacted the game from start to finish."
Looking for a spark to end the losing streak, Drew started Teague alongside shooting guard Kirk Hinrich and shifted Joe Johnson to small forward. Now he said he might use the alignment more over the final 15 games of the regular season.
Teague finished the Blazers game with 24 points, five steals, three blocked shots and just one turnover in 44 minutes. Drew said he was more encouraged that Teague showed some emotion during the game.
"That's the first time I've seen that since he's been here," Drew said.
Drew hired assistant coach Nick Van Exel before the season in large part because he wanted the tenaciousness Van Exel showed as a player to rub off on Teague.
"Every time I get on the court I feel like I play with a little fire," Teague said. "I'm a laid-back person; I have a laid-back personality. But when I go on that court I think everybody plays with emotion and a chip on their shoulder."
Drew said he doesn't want Teague to defer to his more experienced teammates. When Teague joined the Hawks as a first-round pick in the 2009 draft, he was the only young player on a veteran team.
Those circumstances, along with Teague's personality, made it difficult for him to take charge as a point guard.
"I think I am vocal," Teague said. "I probably don't do it as often as [Drew] would like but I am getting better as the year goes along. I guess I started it now [and] I can't turn back."
Keep it up and impact more games like he did on Saturday, and there could be more MVP chants for Teague.
"One of my [assistant] coaches made the comment that was kind of like a [Rajon] Rondo game," Drew said, referring to Boston's All-Star point guard.
Powell mum on arrest
Hawks forward Josh Powell declined to comment on his arrest in a traffic incident before the Blazers game, citing the ongoing legal case. Atlanta police said Powell repeatedly refused to move his car that was blocking an ambulance near Philips Arena and charged him with failure to obey an authorized officer directing traffic, failure to yield to emergency equipment and obstruction.
Powell apologized to the team for the distraction. Drew said the arrest wouldn't affect Powell's status with the team.
Horford says he's ready
Hawks center Al Horford practiced on Monday and said he would play against the Bucks on Tuesday night. He sat out the Blazers game after suffering an ankle injury Friday night at Chicago.
Drew wasn't ready to say Horford will be in the lineup.
“He gives me the same thing every time I ask him: ‘I’m OK,’" Drew said. "He said that right before the Blazers game. We will just have to wait and see.”
Tickets still good
The Bucks game was originally scheduled for Jan. 11 but was postponed because of severe weather. The Hawks said tickets for the original date will be honored.
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