The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks , a team that surprised many with their dominance in the Eastern Conference, showcased the power of teamwork. With Jeff Teague orchestrating plays and the formidable duo of Paul Millsap and Al Horford guarding the paint, the Hawks soared to the best record in the East, compiling 60 wins.
As crucial as the performances of the aforementioned players were, Teague emphasized that one player, Kyle Korver, was the game-changer. The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter from Creighton, with his league-best 49 percent shooting from beyond the arc, forced defenses to rethink their strategy. His prowess created more space for ball movement, and the Hawks capitalized on it.
Korver's three-point proficiency earned him a spot in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at the Madison Square Garden. The league named the "Machine Gun" as Dwyane Wade's replacement after the latter couldn't play due to a hamstring injury. Korver's selection was met with praise and skepticism, with some corners questioning why a player with those numbers made the squad when others with loftier figures couldn't.
No question in Teague's mind
Teague did not bat an eyelash in reiterating how worthy Kyle was of the nod. After all, the native of Lakewood, California, averaged 12.1 points on 48 percent shooting, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. However, Jeff explained that mere numbers couldn't measure Korver's value to the Hawks.
"I ain't going to lie; Kyle was the main focal point on our team. He made all of our jobs so much easier," the 2021 NBA champ said on the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show."
With Kyle prowling on the outside, the opposing team's defenders couldn't afford to leave their assignments, which often meant Jeff, with his blazing speed, could easily drive down the lane for an easy layup.
"I got to go to my right hand anytime I wanted because Kyle was still sitting in that corner. You couldn't leave him, so I was walking to the basket. I'm not going to say he shouldn't have been an All-Star, but his numbers and stuff like that, I mean, whatever. But we know how much he meant to our team," the Wake Forest product added.
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The MVP of that Hawks squad
With Kyle's threat from beyond the arc, the Hawks thrived that season. In addition to Korver, Teague, Millsap, and Horford made it to the All-Star Game, which tied an NBA record for most players from a single team.
"He was definitely the MVP of our team because he did all the little stuff, and he made defenses change. When Kyle was on the floor, you had to account for him. He was almost like the go-to player for us," Jeff shared. "So, I don't know. People say a lot of times he shouldn't have made it, but I was happy he made it. He was one of my favorite teammates."
Korver ended all arguments regarding his selection to the 2015 ASG when he scored 21 points—the second-most on the team behind LeBron James—on 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. He also helped lead the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals before LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers swept them.
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