Jeff Teague on How Coach Budenholzer Ruined His Scoring Ability

Jeff Teague's Basketball Philosophy

• 🏀 Jeff Teague identifies as a "real basketball player" rather than a one-on-one player, focusing his practice on skills applicable to actual game situations.
• 💡 He stopped practicing moves he wouldn't use in games after his third or fourth year, prioritizing efficiency and game-specific tactics.
• ✈️ Teague notes that playing overseas and adapting to different styles of play, like constant movement and cutting, initially felt like it "messed up" his one-on-one game.

Coach Budenholzer's Impact

• 🎯 Teague humorously claims that Coach Budenholzer "ruined" his scoring ability, specifically mentioning his past success as a "20 point scorer in college."
• 📉 He explains that Budenholzer's system, which emphasized passing and cutting, kept him in the NBA but limited his individual scoring opportunities.
• 🔄 When Teague moved to teams like Minnesota, which didn't run the same system, he struggled to adjust to their more individualistic play style.

Adjusting to New Teams

• 📊 Teague had a successful first year in Minnesota, averaging around 14-15 points and 8 assists as a fourth option.
• 📈 His first experience without a structured system was in Indiana, where he realized he could average 20 points by playing pick and roll.
• 💰 He reflects that he wasn't a "salesman" back then and could have potentially secured a longer tenure with Indiana if he had pushed for more scoring opportunities.

Teammate Dynamics and Strategy

• 🤝 Teague recalls Nate McMillan's instructions to ensure Paul George touched the ball frequently, emphasizing team cohesion and keeping everyone employed.
• 🌟 He acknowledges Paul George's exceptional talent during his time in the NBA.
• 🤔 The conversation touches on draft prospects, specifically Cooper Flagg, and whether he would be the number one pick in the current draft.

Player Performance and Team Strategy

• 🚀 The discussion shifts to player performance, with a question about SJ shooting his team out of leads to get 30 points.
• ✅ Teague defends SJ's shooting efficiency, stating that if he doesn't shoot, the team might lose.
• 🏆 The group also briefly discusses trade scenarios involving players like De'Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo.