Combo Guards, Point Forwards, and Stretch Bigs – “Oh my.”
Who knew positionless basketball just meant a hybrid reclassification? It’s the Coach Oprah Winfrey approach to bringing the ball up the floor – you can bring it up. And, you can bring it up!
Wait, not you; you need to outlet the ball real quick!
There’s always the one big the coaching staff eliminates right away from having too much fun.
So, does the point guard even exist anymore? The answer is yes, and I’d argue that their value has never been higher. Coming from a former floor general, I’m biased but I’ll try to break down why from a coaching perspective.
StePh CuRRy RuINEd EVeRyThInG
Do people still use this to illustrate sarcasm? Really, people should be pointing fingers at Draymond.
Steph Curry comes into the league and the average team is shooting 18.1 3pt FGA/game (according to Basketball Reference). Quickly the world finds out what the rest of the analytics team has been screaming for years, “3 > 2.” So fast-forward over a decade into the league and the average team shoots 34.2 3pt FGA/game with guys like the 7-foot Lopez Twins deciding the paint is too crowded, so why not spend the rest of their career in the corner pockets.
The point is offenses with previous era post presences have largely dissolved and expanded into perimeter positions. Subsequently this is where player development for the youth took to the trend and ran with it. Any and every prospective college basketball player with size broadcasts their perimeter shooting and ballhandling ability before interior scoring or rim protection. Therefore, transition offenses at the grassroots level have started to shift to point guard by committee.
But, Here’s The Problem
Giannis isn’t normal. Hell, like him or not – Draymond Green is not normal. The average plus-size athlete is not a combination of above-average ballhandling (with pace) plus above-average decision making. Therefore, everyone else risks utilizing the freight train approach to leading the breaks.
Which is where I’d argue some the best teams – pro or college – find competitive advantages via the point guard. Yes, there’s a half second spent to make an outlet pass, but the combination of speed, ballhandling navigation, and capacity to find or finish tends to net positive. Consider the following NBA teams with arguably the best point guards in the league and where they tend to fall in the standings:
- Steph Curry
Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving(Year 2 . . . Loading)- Jamal Murray
- SGA & Josh Giddey
- Jalen Brunson
- Ja Morant
- De’Aron Fox
Add who I’m missing in the comments. The ability to sprint – (to) space – (and) shoot from beyond the arc is the modern offense; and the point guards above understand their piece to the puzzle is being the 1st chip to trigger dominoes (not a pizza reference).
Early, Often, & Late Advantages
There’s something about an immediate push from a trustworthy point guard that puts the coaching staff at ease. First, it usually comes after a stop so that in itself already puts a coach in a good mood. Second, a guard that plays with a fine balance between risk and poise tends to have the advantage. That hopefully comes early, often, and late.
Steve Nash wasn’t the first, but during my generation as a spectator he was one of the best; all, arguably under a transcending style of play under Mike D’Antoni.
The 2x MVP took advantage of every transition defense, or when on the halfcourt, he would manipulate 2-man actions so well hunting the paint to draw enough defenders to find his lob or window to pass to spot-up shooters. Like I said, there are the few stretch-combo wing-forward types of players that have the capacity of leading the break plus finishing any possession, but true point guards still remain to be a viable competitive advantage.
From a developmental standpoint consider who initiates the breaks or which roles plays to personnel strengths the most. Then again, I’m biased and there are people like Victor Wembenyama – sheesh!
Coach's Climb 
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