Hawks Trade For One Point Guard and Draft Another at No. 19

John Boller by Contributor Written on June 25, 2009
BOSTON - MAY 17:  Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics passes the ball as Marcin Gortat #13 of the Orlando Magic defends Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Mike Bibby days are numbered in Atlanta.

This is the case after the Hawks dealt veteran Speedy Claxton and their 11th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Acie Law, to the Golden State Warriors for Jamal Crawford earlier today.

Five hours later, Atlanta selected Jeff Teague as the 19th pick in the 2009 Draft.

Teague spent two years as the point guard at the University of Wake Forest where he caught national exposure by averaging 30 points a game during the Demon Deacons’ four-game stretch that sky-rocketed the team to the No. 1 ranking.

Both Teague and Wake Forest hit a wall in March; this caused Teague to ponder whether he should return to school or not.

At 6’2” and 180 pounds, Teague draws comparison with former Hawk point guard, Jason Terry. Just like Terry, he is an explosive off-the-ball player who finds ways to score when there appear to be none. He can shoot from the perimeter, but going to the basket is his forte. His ability to create on the move leads to more trips at the foul line, where he shot .812 in his final season at Wake Forest.

A return to the second round for the Atlanta Hawks already looks harder than this past season and we have not even started the preseason.

The two teams that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals have already made their moves.

Shaq is returning to the East, where he will see if he can get LeBron James a championship just like he did with Dwayne Wade.

Meanwhile, Shaquille’s former team and home of current nemesis, Orlando Magic, have given up a good-looking young talent in Courtney Lee, for some Vinsanity (Vince Carter).

Also, the Boston Celtics are tired of being ignored, and have suggested possibilities of trading away Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.

Allen, I can understand.

After all, it was not him in the playoffs getting a triple-double every other night. But, Rondo, why him? All I know is that I fell in love with Rondo after watching him in the playoffs.

I think the Hawks should be ringing Danny Ainge’s cell phone.

I would even consider having Allen on the team if we could get Rondo. That way, the Hawks would get a solid perimeter shooter, something they need, and plus someone else besides Joe Johnson, who can create their own shot in Rondo.

Bibby is on his way out and I think that Josh Smith should join him.

Smith is never going to establish his perimeter shot. He is a terrific athlete, but he is not a good enough basketball player. It would be better for the Hawks to move him while his value is still there. But, his stock is fading fast.

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written on June 25, 2009 Opinion

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