The Atlanta Hawks have been playing very well this season, but it’s always wise to keep the future in mind.
It’s no secret that the play of Mike Bibby has dropped off considerably. The 12-year veteran is averaging 9.2 points and 4.5 assists per game this season — both career-lows. With Joe Johnson in the final year of his contract and Bibby slated to make close to $12 million over the next two years, it might be wise to send the former Arizona guard packing sometime before his deal runs out.
Enter Jeff Teague. The Hawks’ first round pick from Wake Forest has proved he can play when he gets minutes and has drawn praise from those within the organization. Here’s what head coach Mike Woodson had to say about Teague:
“I feel good about Teague and what he brings to the table. Eventually Teague will run this team, I think. But I don’t have to throw him to the wolves like I did those other guys.”
I understand not wanting to throw him to the wolves, but Teague never plays. He didn’t step foot on the court in 6 of the Hawks’ 41 games, and received 10 minutes or fewer in 20 of the other 35 games. Start giving him some time so you can take a look a hard look at what you’ve got. The experience he could gain this year would undoubtedly help his progression and put him in a good position to take over for Bibby sooner rather than later.
It seems like in the NBA if you aren’t a top three draft pick, you barely play your rookie year. NBA teams don’t really throw their rookies right in. Maybe that’s because there are only 5 guys on the court and there isn’t a high demand of players. I don’t know, but you rarely here of rookies names unless they’re a top selection.
That man can scoot…scoot, scoot..
That is very true Eric, There still so many vets still in the game and on every team, they want them to be behind them and watch them to transition to the next level game and speed of it