Prediction: Paul George Will Win MVP Next Year
By Sai Mohan
Jeff Teague > George Hill
Indiana will miss George Hill’s defense. But Jeff Teague is a significant upgrade.
Just think about this: The Pacers haven’t had an aggressive point guard, with the ability to score in bunches, since Vern Fleming and Micheal Williams in the early 1990s. Mark Jackson was an astute facilitator but he never averaged more than seven field goal attempts during his time in Indiana.
Last season, Teague drove and attacked the rim 11.1 times per game. That ranked fifth in the league among all guards. Teague’s aggression was the foundation upon which Atlanta’s offense was built.
Hill, during the same timeframe, drove to the rim only 3.7 times per game. He ranked No.100 among all guards in the league. Unlike Hill, Teague has the ability to penetrate defenses with ease.
How much will Teague’s aggression help George?
IndyStar writer Gregg Doyel reckons Teague and George could make a potent 1-2 punch.
"“Paul George has never had a point guard like this. He’s not dependent on someone else to get him shots — he can get a decent shot whenever he wants one — but he sure will enjoy having easy shots handed to him each game. And Teague does that.”"
During their 60-win season in 2014-15, the Atlanta Hawks were third in the league in Efficient Field Goal Percentage and second in percentage of shots assisted upon (ball movement). Most of that was because of Mike Budenholzer’s coaching and Teague’s on-court leadership.
In Teague, Monta Ellis and Rodney Stuckey, George has an experienced backcourt to rely upon.
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