by Sports Xchange

Sure, Jeff Teague is no Chris Paul. But just in case he's on that path, the Hawks snagged him in the draft over other coveted players rated just as highly on most draft boards as the 6-1, 178-pound Teague.

And if Teague's pro career comes anywhere close to Paul's, so far, the Hawks will have landed the steal of this draft.

The benefit for Teague and the Hawks is that he won't be pressed into immediate service with Crawford and potentially Bibby around to assume the starting duties.

"I think when you're picking 19 it's tough for a player to come in and get into the rotation right away," said Hawks general manager Rick Sund said. "He's a pretty good talent so if anybody can it may be Jeff. He has a great handle and he can really shoot it. And I like guys that can shoot it."

--Teague said he's already familiar with the Hawks, having used them regularly on NBA Live.

"I play the video game a lot and that's who I roll with, the Atlanta Hawks," Teague said. "Joe Johnson, that's my guy. Every time I give him the ball he scores. Josh Smith is an exciting player. And Al Horford inside.

"When the Hawks said my name it was a great feeling. I feel like it's a great opportunity for me. I just have to come in, work hard and show that I can run the team."

Teague is just 6-1 and 178 pounds, so he knows there is work to do.

"I have to get stronger," he said. "I know that. This is a big offseason. But I feel like my game is suited for the NBA. I'm not the biggest guy in the world. But I do feel like I can come in and contribute to the Atlanta Hawks."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "When we ended the season I made it clear to ownership and (Hawks general manager) Rick (Sund), 'you win 47 games, it would be nice to get everybody back and see where we go next season.' But the way we ended the season it was hard to evaluate our team. So to bring all of those guys back and give it another shot means a lot to me, because with a healthy team we would challenge Cleveland with the way played this season." -- Hawks coach Mike Woodson on the team's roster-retention plan going into free agency.