9. Jeff Teague
Jeff Teague, and the Atlanta Hawks for that matter, entered the 2014-15 season off the radar. The team was still in the middle of a mini rebuild, starting with the exodus of Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
The Hawks started the season at a scorching pace, fueled by the excellent play of the oft-overlooked Teague, and ended the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Teague was a key component to the Hawks’ well-oiled machine, recording 15.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 34% from three-point range. The 26-year-old displayed a devastating combination of speed, passing ability, and shooting that allowed the Hawks to be dubbed “Spurs East” in reference (and reverence) to their high-octane brand of basketball.
Unfortunately for Teague and the Hawks, the team tapered off towards the end of the regular season, and limped through the playoffs against inferior competition, before being blitzed in a sweep against the Cavaliers. Like Conley in Memphis, Teague is largely valued through the success of his team, since both players are beholden to very unique and defined schemes. While Teague definitely belongs on this list of top point guards, in order to rise any higher he will need to take his game to new heights and push the Hawks further than previous seasons.
Next: Mike Conley
