Pacers player review: Jeff Teague got a bad rap

Our player review series continues with point-guard and Indianapolis native Jeff Teague, a true point guard for the Indiana Pacers.

After years of Indiana Pacers fans wishing for a true point guard, the basketball fairy delivered in a big way with the addition of Jeff Teague last summer.

Larry Bird traded George Hill and gave Teague the leading role last summer. This was the definitive signal that the “blue collar, gold swagger,” era was dead.

Teague took on the responsibilities of point-god, leading the charge for a new up-tempo style of play while also creating shots for Paul George. But did the Indianapolis native deliver?

Significant Digits

7.8 assists per game

Jeff Teague is a case study of a good but not great point guard. Nearly all of his numbers this season are better  than his 2014-15 All-Star season, but they didn’t earn the same notoriety thanks to bigger names such as Kyrie Irving, John Wall, etc. NBA point guards are supposed to create shots for their teammates, so assists per game is a guard’s best friend. Teague averaged 7.8 apg this year, up from 7.0 apg in 2014-15. The icing on the cake is that Teague turned the ball over only 2.6 times per game.

53 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs

Good news: “Ice Teague” remembered how to shoot in the playoffs! He made 53 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Teague was a mediocre 3-point shooter during the regular season, hitting 36 percent of his shots. One minor caveat to Teague’s lights out 3-point percentage is he only attempted 3.1 attempts per game in the regular season and 4.3 in the playoffs. It is worth a shot for Teague to put up a few more 3-point attempts per game when he’s hot. But that’s a product of Nate McMillan’s offensive game planning. For now, hope that playoff Jeff Teague continues his hot shooting next season (if he’s still in town).

Jeff Teague’s Season Summed up in One Archer GIF

If you followed the Indiana Pacers, you needed a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Archer? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.

Playoff Jeff Teague responding to pundits proclaiming George Hill is a better player for an entire season.

Sweatin’ Bullets

Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.

• Jeff Teague may not be the point guard the Pacers are looking for.
• George Hill was more important to the roster than Larry Bird realized.
• Teague’s quote unquote “subpar” season was due to an early injury no one reported.
• Lance Stephenson‘s arrival may signal Jeff Teague’s departure from the franchise.

One Key Question

Will Jeff Teague be Indiana’s starting point guard next season?

The Situation: Teague is an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He has the ability to sign with any team in the league and the Pacers have no opportunity to match a contract from another team.

Best-case Scenario: Teague re-signs with the Pacers at a mid-level pay rate. Indiana takes the extra money to sign a big name free agent to convince Paul George to sign an extension.

Worst-case Scenario: Paul George is traded, Teague walks free of charge, and Indiana plummets into rebuild mode.

Prediction: Teague will sign a four-year contract in the $20 million per year range with the Pacers and regrets it immediately when Paul George is traded or leaves in free agency.