Point guard

Point guard (PG), also called the “one guard” or “lead guard“, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. Point guards are often the smallest players on the court (with a notable exception being Magic Johnson). A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any basketball position: essentially, the point guard is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right players at the right time. Above all, the point guard must totally understand and accept his coach's game plan. This means knowing when and how to instigate a fastbreak and when and how to initiate the more deliberate sets. [1] For this reason, the position is often compared to a quarterback in football.

[edit] Position characteristics

First and foremost, the point guard must be able to handle the ball well and distribute it to teammates. Speed and quickness are other desired attributes of a point guard; the more speed a point guard has, the more likely they will be able to create separation and space off the dribble, which allows him room to work. Point guards should also be vocal floor leaders, and should discuss rule interpretations with officials. A point guard must always know the time on both the shot clock and the game clock, the score, the number of time outs for both teams, and whom to foul late in the game. If a point guard has more size (height, muscle) compared to the prototypical point guard, it is considered a plus, but size is only secondary to knowledge of the game and skill. Point guards usually exert a leadership role on the floor similar to that of a quarterback in American football.

A true point guard's job is to create scoring opportunities for his team. The role includes passing and running the offense: setting up plays on the court, getting the ball to the teammate that he feels is in the best position to score, and dictating the tempo of the game.

After an opponent scores, it is typically the point guard who brings the ball down court to begin an offensive play. For this reason, passing skills, ball handling, and court vision are pivotal. Point guards are often evaluated more on their assist totals than on their scoring. Still, a first-rate point guard should also have a reasonably effective jump shot.

[edit] Styles of play

Many times, the point guard is referred to by announcers as a "coach on the floor" or a "floor general". In the past, this was particularly true, as several point guards such as Lenny Wilkens served their team as a player-coach. This is not as common anymore, as most coaches choose to call out the plays they wish to have run before each possession, but some point guards are still given a great deal of leeway in the offense -- such as Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns. Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni allows Nash to freelance often when leading the Suns' high-octane offense, even letting Nash call his own plays at times. But point guards who are not given this much freedom still must act as extensions of their coach on the floor, and must display good leadership skills.

The styles with which point guards do their job vary widely from player to player. Quickness is often cited as a necessity for the position, but this is not necessarily true. While players like Nash, Rafer Alston, Allen Iverson, and Tony Parker thrive on quickness, many other point guards, like Mike Bibby and Kirk Hinrich, rely on savvy to lead their team. Likewise, many effective point guards help their team by being fantastic shooters (examples include Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, Jason Terry, Derek Fisher, and Damon Jones). The most important thing for a point guard is to be able to pass and dribble the ball frequently without committing turnovers, and to keep the team under control at all times.

[edit] Notable point guards

There are many high profile point guards currently playing in the NBA including Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, Sue Bird (of the WNBA), Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Brevin Knight, Kirk Hinrich and Gilbert Arenas.

Great point guards of the past include Bob Cousy, Lenny Wilkens, Walt Frazier, Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson (who was an unusual point guard, standing at 6'9"/2.06 m), Isiah Thomas, and John Stockton. Another great guard of the past, Oscar Robertson, combined the skills of a point guard with those of a small forward, becoming one of the first point forwards which eventually became popularized by Scottie Pippen.