8p9s Roundtable: A Very Different Indiana Pacers
By Ben Gibson
Is Jeff Teague better than George Hill?
Furr: Overall, no. Hill is a better shooter, defender, and rebounder. Teague is a better ball handler and passer. It is probably close, but I prefer Hill’s all-around game and marksmanship in a vacuum. For this Pacers team, Jeff Teague might be the better fit, though.
Barth: As a point guard with good court vision and an overall scorer? Yes. As a defender and versatile guard? No. It was time to explore a world where the Pacers had a distributor though and see if he can get PG and company some easier shots. The offense was mud-like during the Vogel era and a change was definitely necessary. I’ll miss George Hill because Utah got a really strong player under the radar, but I’m excited for Jeff Teague and adding a new dimension to the offense. Everybody wins.
Eggers: They’re both great players in this league. They both fit different roles and excel in different facets of the game. I’d say Jeff Teague is a better point guard for what the Pacers are trying to do. I’d say Teague is better offensively. I’d say he’s worse defensively. Who’s better, purely as a question of a player against a player? Looking at it from a completely objective standpoint, I’ll give Teague the advantage because he had the All-Star year. Keep in mind, however, the Jazz could’ve traded their pick straight up for Teague, but they didn’t. Also, Hill was Gregg Popovich’s favorite player. So who knows?
Medworth: They’re different. I’m not ready to say Jeff Teague is better. George Hill is a fantastic combo guard who plays great defense. Jeff Teague is a true point guard but his defense isn’t as good. I can’t say Jeff Teague is better at this time.
Neal: Yes, but with a caveat. For the style the team wants to play, Teague is better. I appreciate what Hill brought to the team the last four years — even as most fans bash him on his way out of town — but he’s not best suited to run the style of offense that the team wants going into next season. Teague makes a living getting into the paint and collapsing defenses. Hill didn’t do that as consistently, which makes the trade for Teague palatable enough for me.
Next: Can the Pacers Still Play Defense Well?