<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It must be nice to be Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy. At point guard, perhaps the most important position on the court, he's got two walking mismatches: a wily veteran (Sam Cassell) with an automatic midrange jumper, and a burgeoning youngster (Shaun Livingston) with potential seeping from his ears. He can start either or play them together, and has done so already this young season. Such options at point guard are a coach's dream. Plenty of coaches are experiencing that dream in the NBA these days. It seems the trend has become to invest in a back-up point guard. Charlotte held on to coveted point guard Brevin Knight though Raymond Felton had a stellar rookie campaign. Utah picked up veteran point guard Derek Fisher's somewhat-hefty contract to support budding star Deron Williams. New York has two proven playmakers at point guard in Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis. Washington spent a pretty penny to bring in Antonio Daniels a couple offseasons ago to back up All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas. The days of point guards logging 45 minutes and dictating the entire game -- as did the Magic Johnsons and John Stocktons, as do the Allen Iversons and Chauncey Billupses -- are on the way out. It appears teams now prefer having a starting-capable point guard getting significant minutes off the bench. Even the teams with top-notch starting point guards are looking for a quality No. 2. The Phoenix Suns, who have two-time MVP Steve Nash running their show, went out and spent $21 million on Marcus Banks, who started for Minnesota last season. The New Jersey Nets drafted point guard Marcus Williams out of Connecticut to back up Hall of Fame-bound point guard Jason Kidd. Despite having Jason Terry and youngster Devin Harris in tow, both standout players in their postseason run to the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks gave up two prospects to get Anthony Johnson -- the consummate back-up point guard from the Indiana Pacers. There are a few reasons back-up point guards have become so integral. Primarily, the do-it-all, star point guards are such a rarity now. The ones that are around -- such as Nash and Kidd -- are getting older and more prone to injury. Instead of waiting for the franchise point guard around which to build a team, it's more feasible to find a pair of point guards who compliment each other and work them as a tandem. Another reason back-ups are so valuable is the flexibility they give coaches. Having a quality point guard coming off the bench, especially if he contrasts the starter, allows for various styles of play. Just as important, a team can also avoid a drastic drop-off from the first string to the second. How nice must it be to sit in New Orleans/Oklahoma City coach Byron Scott's seat? He's got a dynamic young point guard in Chris Paul, who many consider the next great one, and an accomplished reserve point guard in Bobby Jackson, who can continue the team's uptempo style while Paul rests. But perhaps the biggest reason good back-ups are in demand is to preserve the starter, especially for the postseason. As great as Nash is, he was hobbled in the postseason and that hurt Phoenix's chances. There's little question as to whether him averaging a career-high 35.4 minutes per game took its toll. "It's such a demanding position," said Portland's director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard, who last season had four point guards -- Sebastian Telfair, Jarrett Jack, Juan Dixon and Steve Blake -- on his roster. "You have to give these guys a break. You can't play 48 minutes in his league. A back-up point guard is a highly desirable asset."</div> Source
Definitely agree. Back up point guards are like gold. I would have to say that the point guard is the most important position in the league. Anyone agree / disagree???
<div class="quote_poster">fatballer_10 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Definitely agree. Back up point guards are like gold. I would have to say that the point guard is the most important position in the league. Anyone agree / disagree???</div> Point Guards make all the plays and they play a big role in their starting lineup, but I wouldn't say they are the most important position in the league, I would say that all positions are equally important.
<div class="quote_poster">fatballer_10 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Definitely agree. Back up point guards are like gold. I would have to say that the point guard is the most important position in the league. Anyone agree / disagree???</div> I think he means that if he was to choose the best player on the team it would be the point guard, if thats true than I agree with you. A really good point guard can help some not so good players play better which is critical to winning games and developing a potent offense.
Basically your offense is based around your point guard and he is valuable to your team, but not the most important player on the team though.
<div class="quote_poster">fatballer_10 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Definitely agree. Back up point guards are like gold. I would have to say that the point guard is the most important position in the league. Anyone agree / disagree???</div> Disagree, and I'm a huge PG advocate and its the position I play. Most important position on the floor is PF/C, if you have a great PF/C they can shoot high % shots, play defense, rebound, get to the line, create for others, block shots, etc. They just have more effect on the game than a perimeter player who is generally confined to scoring, perimeter defense, and maybe creating for others.
<div class="quote_poster">fatballer_10 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Definitely agree. Back up point guards are like gold. I would have to say that the point guard is the most important position in the league. Anyone agree / disagree???</div> 1rst or 2nd Center/Power Forward is probably most important because he controls interior defense, rebounding, inside scoring, etc. The best teams in the NBA have a guy that can get on that glass, pass it some, create a shot close in, block shots, and score high% pts. Even Nowitzki/Garnett can block shots, rebound like a center or pure power forward even though they play offense like small forwards. Point guard is probably second most important along with shooting guard because they comprise the team's outside attack, playmaking/passing, ballhandling, and higher % outside scoring than any other position. If you get Kobe/Shaq or Dwade/Shaq or Sheed/Billups/Hamilton with a deep bench or Duncan/Parker/Ginnobilli that's a lot of ways one can break a team down anywhere on the floor. So one anchor in the backcourt, and another anchor in the paint wins championships or gets a team into the playoffs. It's definitely one reason why the Clippers did so well recently. Cassell + Mobley added to Brand/Kaman. Suddenly Maggette's numbers look overrated when you think about the Clippers' teamwork, sharing the ball inside and out, and guys playing like their intended position. They had Maggette trying to play a backcourt position when he's really more like a small forward. But anyway, a pure point guard that knows when to give up the rock and can think two steps ahead and make good shots, and avoid turnovers is in high demand because so many are undersized 6'2 shooting guards that don't pass much or need to work on ballhandling, court awareness or playcalling. The pointguard is like the quarter back of a football team. He is the extension of the coach sitting on the sideline.
The Most important position in the NBA is a Combo player. Guys like Kobe Wade and LBJ have the skill sets to play PG, SG, and SF. Garnett can play all 5 positions. Nash and Iverson can play the 1 and 2. They give you extra versatility and depth. Guys like that are the reason 75% of the offense is ran through them.
All positions are equally important. I mean the PG runs the offense but the other players need to execute the plays. PF/Cs play the interior defense but the wings and point have to protect the perimeter. All the different positions need to work together. PGs are maybe more valuable than an every day SF, but a SF is also needed.
damn. all these team have great pg rotations and the lakers starting pg is freakin smush parker! jeeez
