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Midseason NBA Player Rankings: Steph Curry vs. James Harden

By Bryce Olin

Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shows emotion against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jeff Teague

17.2 PPG, 7.3 APG, 2.7 RPG, 22.7 PER

Best player on the East’s best team?

Arguably, yes!

Kyle Korver, Al Horford, and Paul Millsap might have something to say about that, but I think that they’d all agree that the Atlanta Hawks go as Teague goes.

Statistically speaking, Teague isn’t one of the league’s great point guards. However, if you watch him play, you realize how good Teague is, both, offensively and defensively.

On offense, Teague has the ball on a string, as he carves up opposing defenses. On defense, Teague is quick and can stay in front of his opponents with what seems like relative ease. I mean, he’s no ball-hawking player like Tony Allen, but he’s definitely not 2013 James Harden.

Teague and his steady play at point guard is the key to the Hawks 14-game winning streak and the second-best record in the league. Teague orchestrates the offense, and then he gets the ball out of his hand quickly to start the Hawks pass-happy, motion offense. There’s not many point guards who can play in the Hawks system and leave their ego at the door.

Over the Hawks last five games, Teague’s shooting number aren’t great. He’s shooting less than 42 percent from the field and only averaging 15.8 PPG. Teague’s still whipping the ball around, though, and he’s also averaging 8.8 assists per game over the same stretch.

Solid!

Next: LaMarcus Aldridge

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