Nate Taylor

nate.taylor@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Jeff Teague could not pinpoint the exact reason for his underwhelming start with the Indiana Pacers.

Maybe it's being surrounded by new teammates. Maybe it’s because he’s not mastered the Pacers’ up-tempo offense. Or maybe he’s putting too much pressure on himself to play well for his hometown team. Teague considered each option Saturday inside the visitors’ locker room at the United Center after the Pacers’ blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls.

The only thing Teague could pinpoint with certainty was that his first three games with the Pacers have been a major disappointment. Teague criticized himself for his poor defensive effort in the Pacers’ season opener. He was dismissive of a difficult shooting performance in the loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Then there was Saturday, when Teague considered how all the changes for him this season could have some consequences, at least early, for him.

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“It’s way different than any team I’ve played on in the past,” Teague said after spending the previous seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. “We’ve got a lot of talent, but it’s just different. It just is. Everything is different, the concepts; everything is totally different. I’m just trying to get used to it.”

Teague’s statistics have been staggering in comparison to how much production was expected of him after team President Larry Bird acquired him in a June trade. Through three games, Teague has shot an abysmal 20 percent from the floor. He missed all seven of shot attempts in Saturday’s loss and has clanked all seven of his 3-pointers this season.

“I think we’re all getting tough shots right now,” Teague said. “We don’t get any easy shots. A couple of easy shots I have gotten have gone in and out. We've just got to work on being able to get some easier looks for everybody.”

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On defense, Teague has been largely responsible for defending opposing starting point guards – Deron Williams, Jeremy Lin and Rajon Rondo – who have combined for 52 points and 29 assists.

“I think we’re putting a lot of pressure on our defense because of our offense,” Teague said. “When you get some easy baskets, it helps your defense a little bit and puts a little bit more pressure on offense on their end. Right now, our offense is not helping us. We’re putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to stop people and that isn’t easier, either.”

McMillan wouldn’t single out Teague when he criticized his team for their consecutive losses. He instead put the onus on all of the Pacers to play better on offense to make their defense stronger.

“As a group, we’ve got to work better together to get and create better shots for each other,” McMillan said. “That’s setting screens, making hard cuts and getting your movement and passing the ball to open guys when they are free.”

Several veterans after Saturday’s game voiced the same message when Teague’s struggles were mentioned: A three-game slump is no time to start panicking.

“He’s been an All-Star,” Paul George said of Teague. “He’ll fight through it. He’ll get an understanding of how our offense is and what shots he’ll get. He’ll be better. We’re not worried about that.”

George, however, felt the Pacers may not have helped Teague to the best of their abilities given the team knew he would need an adjustment period. George went on to list the many responsibilities that have been placed on Teague – bringing the ball up the court, initiating the Pacers’ free-flowing offense, pressuring opposing defenses by beating them off the dribble, staying aggressive in the open court and delivering the ball to new teammates without turning the ball over.

George, in an effort to improve the Pacers’ execution, said he has discussed with McMillan the possibility of having more structure when it comes to the team’s halfcourt offense.

“We can play fast,” he said. “We have a lot of intelligent guys. But I think if he gives us a system, and lets us find our way through it moreso than just doing it on the fly, I think we’ll be a little better off.”

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Al Jefferson, a veteran who also joined the Pacers in the offseason, said Teague’s play was the least of his concerns. Jefferson said the biggest issue was the Pacers not competing with the proper intensity and discipline on defense in the past two games.

“Right now we’re not doing that as a team,” Jefferson said. He added of Teague: “I think he’s going to be OK.”

With everything being new – coach, teammates and system – Teague is relying on the idea that he should play more to his career statistics once the newness of everything wears off.

“Once we all get on the same page and catch a good grove, we’ll all be better,” he said. “I don’t think we know where each other likes our shots and where we’re comfortable at yet. That’s just going to take some time to figure it out.”

Teague paused. He then summarized his three-game performance in four words.

“It’s definitely been tough,” he said.

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

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