Two weeks ago Hawks point guard Jeff Teague was on the periphery of any discussions about what the team plans to do with its backcourt.
That was before Teague unexpectedly blossomed in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Bulls. Now Teague might be key to Hawks plans to get better because their financial constraints mean improvements likely must happen internally.
It largely depends on whether Teague’s emergence is the start of good things to come or merely a highlight in his so-far disappointing two years in Atlanta.
“I look at it as no turning back,” Teague said. “You showed people, and now you’ve got to continue. You can’t give them a little taste and then pull back and everybody [is] questioning, ‘What happened to that guy in the playoffs?’”
Teague’s confidence grew as he held his own against MVP Derrick Rose. Coach Larry Drew was reluctant to give Teague a regular role during the season, citing inconsistency, so Teague remained a part-time player despite possessing skills the Hawks needed.
An injury to Kirk Hinrich thrust Teague into the lineup against Chicago, and he responded extraordinarily well. The performance had Drew sounding convinced that Teague, who turns 23 next month, can finally play a major role for the Hawks. “I’m hoping he’s arrived,” Drew said.
If so, it would provide the Hawks some backcourt options next season. Teague, Hinrich and shooting guard Joe Johnson are the three guards under contract.
Hinrich, 30, is bigger and more experienced than Teague, but lacks his speed and lateral quickness. Hinrich was playing well when he suffered a hamstring injury in the final game of the first round.
After arriving in a trade with Washington in February, Hinrich eventually became a key defender and shotmaker, but if Teague starts at point guard next season, it could move Hinrich to the bench.
Another possibility is that Teague could join Hinrich in the starting backcourt. Hinrich has played at shooting guard extensively during his career.
That would give the Hawks a strong defensive backcourt. Johnson would move to small forward, where his defensive weaknesses — staying in front of quick guards and fighting through screens — would be mitigated.
In that scenario the Hawks would need another guard to play a large role. Sixth man Jamal Crawford can become a free agent this summer, and it’s unlikely the Hawks can or would sign him to an extension before then.
Crawford played most of the minutes this season as the reserve point guard behind Mike Bibby and then Hinrich. He won the Sixth Man Award in his first season with the Hawks, but his production and efficiency both declined this season.
Crawford sought a contract extension last summer, but was rebuffed. He said he’s open to returning to Atlanta.
“I’ve definitely liked the experience,” he said. “But if I get to the point of July, it’s basically been a year that we’ve been talking [about a contract], and at that point I would pretty much have to weigh my options.”
If Crawford leaves, Teague’s growth might soften the blow.
Teague was superlative against Chicago under difficult circumstances. In addition to dogging Rose on defense, Teague scored efficiently and made good decisions with the ball. It was the kind of performance that Teague showed only occasionally during the season. Drew said Teague wasn’t steady enough to sway him to play him more minutes at Bibby’s expense.
But Teague had some of his best games during the regular season when, because of circumstances, he knew he was going to play. That was the case in every game against Chicago.
“I would say that’s the difference,” Teague said during the Bulls series. “During the season I didn’t know if I was going to play one game and if I was going to sit the next. Now, knowing that I’m going to get an opportunity to go in every game, I just try to focus and give a good effort.”
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