Is Jeff Teague on a Hot Streak, or Has He Reached the Next Level?

Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague has been playing efficient basketball lately, but his recent hot streak is being met with varied reactions.

Like any player, Teague may be on a short-term tear, finding the bottom of the net and dishing to open teammates before hitting a slump. Then again, the fifth-year guard could very well be proving he is turning the corner in the NBA.

Due to Josh Smith's departure during the 2013 offseason, Teague has been forced into a larger offensive role, so his numbers are certainly elevated because of that factor.

But does the box score improvement accurately represent Teague's performance? Or are his inflated numbers a product of heightened responsibilities?

Shooting Efficiency

Currently, Teague is averaging about 2.5 points per game more than his career-best season, hovering around 17 per outing. On Nov. 15 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Teague set a personal-high, eclipsing the 30-mark for the first time in his career and netting 33 points.

He is connecting on the same amount of shots from the field (about 5.5), but Teague is missing slightly more often. Despite the box score improvement, his shooting percentage has dropped nearly 50 points while attempting more than 13.5 shots per game.

A clear reason is that as Teague strays from the basket, his shooting percentage noticeably plummets.

Worst of all, however, Teague is approaching the Mendoza Line of three-point shooting—or lower than 20 percent from behind the arc. As of Nov. 28, Teague is making just 21.6 percent when launching the threes.

To be blunt, that is awful.

Teague is not alone in this, since one notable player who experienced a similar difficulty is San Antonio Spurs’ point guard and three-time NBA champion Tony Parker.

During the 2004-05 season, Parker hoisted 2.0 long-distance attempts per game and was connecting on just 48.2 percent from the field overall. The next season, the then-reigning NBA Finals MVP cut down on his three-pointers, took 0.5 per contest and his shooting percentage improved to 54.8 percent.

Both players love the pick-and-roll offense, and Parker is rather efficient near the rim. When Teague—like Parker did—realizes he needs to forgo attempting trifectas and slash to the basket, he will become a more dangerous offensive weapon.

Although Teague is not a next-level shooter, every player considered elite is not necessarily called that due to his respective ability to make a basket—but it definitely helps.

Ball Control and Passing

Over the past three seasons, Teague has played no less than 32.9 minutes each night and no more than 33.1 per outing.

Consistent, one could say and also be completely correct.

During 2011-12, Teague dished 4.9 assists and turned the ball over 2.0 times per game, before those stats increased to 7.2 assists and 2.9 turnovers per contest the following year.

This season, he safely ranks among the league's top distributors, being one of only seven NBA players tallying more than eight assists per game. Teague is well on his way to setting a career-high in that category—likely aided by Smith's ball-stopping issue no longer being on the Hawks.

When Teague gains control, he knows where his teammates are and is unafraid to make high-risk, high-reward passes.

Unfortunately, in a stat that every player wants to decrease, Teague's number has continued to rise, and it can be attributed to his risky behavior, too.

He sits in the Top 20 of the turnover list, losing the ball 3.4 times—also ranking 12th among starting point guards in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Committing turnovers does not necessarily mean someone is a bad player, though, considering LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and others cede possession more often than Teague. So, the Hawks point guard, who is called upon to create plays, will mishandle the ball on a few possessions.

Ultimately, Teague is not a premier ball-handler, but Atlanta fans do not hold their collective breath whenever he holds the rock, either.

Defensive Ability

Teague is an annoyance on defense—in a good way for the Hawks.

For better or worse, he is constantly looking for a way to swipe the ball from his man. Of course, sometimes Teague snags it, and sometimes he misses it.

Seen in the accompanying video, two important traits of Teague are showcased.

First, he completely forgets about the trailing defender and loses the ball, exhibiting a mental breakdown or lack of awareness. However, Teague does not get deflated about the turnover, sprints back, catches Kemba Walker and blocks his shot.

Refusing to concede easy buckets is rather endearing to teammates, coaches and fans, alike, and Teague repeatedly locks down his man.

Additionally, his quick hands and capacity for seeing the next pass before it happens consistently equates to at least one steal every game. As seen in a previous video, Teague jumps in front of lazy passes and turns the steal into points.

Essentially, Teague's stout defense is arguably his best attribute.

Conclusion

Teague hasn't reached the next level, and he still has not clearly surpassed the likes of mid-level guards Mike Conley Jr. or Ty Lawson.

The 25-year-old just entered his prime, so Teague can certainly become a next-level player in the near future.

He is a point-man bordering on becoming an above-average player, but Teague must improve his shot selection and ball-handling skills while continuing to rack up assists and play tough defense.

With that being said, if Teague's recent streak is any indication, that day is getting closer every game.

But it just hasn't happened quite yet.

Note: Stats are accurate as of Thursday, Nov. 28.

Follow Bleacher Report NBA Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR