What should I write? Should I write about the purity of the game? The pros and cons of different coaching styles? I could blaze the pages about controversial topics like AAU v. H.S., or how much pressure we put on our young athletes to perform all year round.I could take issue with the NCAA or my local high school administrators or coaching staff.
However, in an attempt to corral the thought processes that surge through my mind like a hurricane wind, I decided to slowdown, take a deep breath and focus on nuts and bolts, something fundamental, something that will raise awareness, if even by a few to the necessity of the simple things that are so vital to the game of basketball.
Ask any coach that has ever strode the sidelines and he will tell you that his point guard is his extension on the floor , his eyes and ears, his motor. Coaches quietly obsess about their point guard play. Few plays rarely are successful without going through the point guard first. You may have other great players on your team but unless they are put in positions to score, or given the ball they are less likely to do so.
Leader, offense initiator, decision maker,primary ball handler, these are among the chief responsibilities of the point guard. On many teams the point guard must be asked to score, guard the other teams point guard in endless pick and roll situations and shoulder the bulk of his/her team's minutes. They're mistakes are often magnified , they are criticized, analyzed and questioned.
I started watching point guards more and more and their craft and what made them what they are, it intrigued me. What makes the good ones good? What do some do that set them apart from the average ones? While they are an intricate part of the offensive scheme are they vital? As much emphasis is placed on offensive execution, how good defensively must a point guard be? I started studying and watching, and guess what? I was overwhelmed with all the information and debate. Some like scoring point guards, some like distributing point guards, some shoulder major minutes and others platoon with others. I almost sacked the subject in frustration.
I remember back to a conversation with St. Joseph University coach Phil Martelli, who coached Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson, I asked him what it was like to coach his great point guard, he responded..."It was easy, he did everything for me..." Coach Martelli placed his squad in the hands of his diminutive point guard.Completely. Other coaches are more hands on, they call every play from the bench and want to keep a close handle on their point guard play. This most likely is influenced by age, experience and overall comfort level of the player in question with the offense.
I decided I was going to table the issue, in favor of another when I happened to glance at the TV during an ESPN broadcast of a boys AAU basketball game in which the point guard was being discussed, ESPN director of basketball recruiting Paul Biancardi who has also been a hoops head coach at the D1 level. It was like confirmation... Here are his Keys to a Great Point Guard...
1. Eliminate emotional fogs ( must stay in the game mentally.)
2. Be a decision maker v. a risk taker (make good basketball plays, know when to take risks,)
3. Play one pass ahead (floor vision and understanding of the game in front of you.)
4. Don't be shot happy. (Be selective)
5. Know Time and Score (Situational Smarts)
I thought those points summed up well the point guard position and showed the many different strengths and weaknesses of many point guards, so i messaged up my good friend who is a varsity girls basketball coach in the area and asked him his thoughts on the position because I wanted to compare and contrast different coaches and see how differently they thought, he felt that they must be good decision makers, with a good floor vision and that within his system they must be able to get us into what we want offensively, whether it be against pressure or just a matter of making the right pass off of the dribble. We also discussed the effect a good point guard has on the defensive end, we determined that their impact on defense is largely influenced by the talent around her. Can someone else guard the other teams best player? Can you hide a less defensive point guard within your defensive setup, whether it be in a zone or inside your man to man?
So after reading about the position and conversing with other coaches, friends and basketball players, i decided to add their thoughts to this blog and add my personal thoughts. So here goes...
Jameer Nelson
1.I feel like the point guard must have the ability to anticipate. They must see the way the play is developing and make the right read and/or pass.
2.The point guard must have "smarts" They must know who has the hot hand, who may need some direction and what is working or not working on the floor,and why or why not it is or isn't working. They must know how to get everyone involved,
3. The point guard must be able to penetrate. They must know how to mix things up with their own offense by varying speeds and staying in attack mode. They must find a balance in making plays off the attack with the shot and the dish. Penetration attracts the d, which opens up the offensive skills of others.
4. The point guard must finish plays (getting a good shot for themselves or others.)
5. The point guard must read defenses and find the weaknesses.
6. The point guard must be able to adjust and/or make adjustments on the fly.
7. The last, but I feel most vital quality a point guard must have is TRUST. The point guard must trust the process, they must trust their coach, teammates and the game. I have watched great point guard play my entire life, I love the position. I have watched Bob Cousy on film, Magic Johnson, who revolutionized the position with his length and offensive abilty, John Stockton, who could dish it with the best. Ive seen players like Dee Brown who liked to score from the point, Deron Williams his running mate, who could play point or move over to the shooting guard. Ive seen Cynthia Cooper, and all different men and women who have made the position what it is.The point guard position is an often unappreciated job, but it takes a special breed to do it. It takes passion, wisdom and athleticism and a hard nose with lots of mental toughness... So next time you are watching point guard play remember all it takes to be a point guard.
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