The Death of the Traditional NBA Point Guard

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)


Cover of the NBA Entertainment Video, Superstars

I can vividly remember back in 1990, my father buying a fresh new copy of the NBA Entertainment Video, Superstars. As a young kid back then, I had recently begun a courtship with the game of basketball. Each and every aspect about this sport was as fresh as a new pair of Air Jordan V's still in the box, laces untouched. So one could envision how watching career highlights of greats such as Magic, Bird, MJ, Akeem (before he changed it to Hakeem), Nique, Barkley and Dr. J, with popular music hits from the 1980s as a backdrop, was hoops heaven for a young man like myself.

As much as I was in awe of the greatness of the aforementioned stars, a little man from Detroit caught my attention more than the rest. Isiah Thomas' brilliance jumped off my television set and made a lasting impression.

The man that they affectionately called "Zeke" was unlike any point guard I had ever seen play the game at that point. Not only was he the general of the Detroit Pistons' offense, but he also had a fearlessness about himself, unafraid to attack the hoop amongst the trees. Consistently leading his team in scoring and assists, Thomas was a dual threat. He was truly an anomaly, ahead of his time. Until that point, I only associated point guards with being facilitators and playmakers for other teammates.

Fast forward to 2013, and the evolution of the point guard in the National Basketball Association has undoubtedly taken place. Players like Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and a host of others have redefined the role of the position today. They have no issue taking a majority of their team's shots, all while being expected to perform traditional point guard duties.  But in between Isiah and Westbrook & company, there certainly was a progression in the league from "pass first" to "let me get mine".

The question is, when did the mentality change?

The answer has multiple layers to it, but let me simply tackle the issue in three parts.

Part One: Primetime and Showtime

The 1980s were a time of change. Not only in life itself, but in sports; basketball particularly. The NBA exited the 1970s with a reputation so bad, they could've used intervention from Lindsay Lohan. Overwhelmed with a rampant drug problem and declining ratings, the Association needed a boost--and quick.

Enter Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. As if on cue, the two transcendent stars improved the image of the league overnight and made games become "Must See TV". Having Finals games on Taped Delay up until 1983, the NBA was fortunate enough to have Magic and Bird's teams meet the following year, just in time for their permanent move to live, prime time championship action. Legendary players on legendary teams in an epic series equaled a ratings skyrocket, which propelled the NBA to unforeseen popularity. 

More games were televised, as the NBA inked a deal with Turner Broadcasting in 1984, and David Stern became commissioner that same year. Stern's visionary thinking included showcasing the league's stars in All-Star events and exhibitions. The Slam Dunk Competition and Three Point Shootout gave players, who otherwise would not get any shine, an outlet to showcase their talents to the world and make a name for themselves.

This platform appealed to the younger generation of basketball players who now were enticed by the thought of having their name and face on television sets worldwide, all because they could dunk or shoot long range jumpers. This was no more evident than in 1986, when a diminutive Spud Webb won the Slam Dunk Competition. Standing at only 5 feet 7 inches "tall", Spud mesmerized the crowd in Dallas by taking down his more imposing competition, including teammate, Dominique Wilkins. His triumph alone motivated smaller players to improve their jumping abilities and reach for the rim instead of practice their bounce pass. More and more, as the eighties gave way to the nineties, point guards around the league were comfortable with becoming more offensive minded. Kevin Johnson, Mark Price, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf (also known as Chris Jackson) and even All-Time Assist Leader John Stockton became legitimate scoring threats.

However, as much as the little men of those times contributed to the revolution of the point guard position, one man ,who is almost as big as the game itself, deserves acknowledgement.

Part Two: Michael Jeffrey Jordan

No introduction needed, Michael Jordan was, and is, revered by basketball fans around the globe. His popularity, which was a byproduct of Magic and Bird, brought him to commercial success that arguably exceeds his on-court success. Jordan was never confused for a point guard (though he briefly experimented with it in Chicago), but his style of play influenced young kids to this day. His ability to score at will with a grace and flair had five year olds attempting trick shots on their Nerf hoop at home, trying to simulate the degree of difficulty. Though fundamentally sound, Jordan specialized in making an impossible shot look possible.

This, combined with MJ's marketability and advertising genius, made being an offensive juggernaut the thing to be in the early nineties. Passing and playmaking was no long en vougue as advertisers and companies were not beating down the doors of assist and steals leaders. Ballers wanted to "Be Like Mike" and less like Magic, though the latter contributes to the next theory. 

Part Three: The Role Reversal

Earvin "Magic" Johnson is perhaps the most unique basketball player the world has ever witnessed. At 6 feet 9, his game was unconventional and has not quite been equaled since. To have natural point guard skills at the size of a power forward, Johnson often dominated players at his position due to the height advantage alone. His ability to play the perimeter, along with Jordan's brilliance, and the influx of European basketball created a culture change in the NBA in the 90s.

All of a sudden, big players (even centers) became proficient at long range jump shots and ball handling. A far cry from the exclusively interior play of bigs from times gone by. With the taller players being long range shooting threats, they drew their defenders out further away from the hoop, allowing smaller guys to penetrate the lane undeterred.

In the late 90s and into the new millennium, it was not uncommon to see power forwards like Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace comfortably shooting from seventeen feet and beyond, while small guys like Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, and Steve Francis attack the rim with reckless abandon.

Iverson in particular, was the epitome of the anti-establishment of the NBA. His corn-rows, street credibility, and somewhat rebellious attitude towards traditional league standards helped create himself a cult-like following from young players, only surpassed by Jordan in his prime. "The Answer" had no issue calling his own number during Sixer games, even if his shots weren't falling or he was double and triple teamed. Each of Iverson's coaches over 14 seasons pleaded with him to become more of a facilitator and trust his comrades on the floor--to no avail.

But by the time Iverson laced his sneakers up for his final NBA contest in 2010, his impact on the game and the definition of point guard was truly felt. That year, John Wall was selected first in the draft by Washington. Many have compared his game to A.I.'s, as Wall has the tendency to look for his own shot first before allowing teammates to get into the game.

That seems to be the norm in today's NBA. Some would argue it's just a changing of the guard in a literal sense, while others would deduce it's a consequence of the "me first" nature of the professional athlete in the present.

In either case, the current day description of an NBA point guard entails more than what it did thirty years ago. Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook can throw down ferocious dunks with the best in the league, and Stephen Curry is considered to be the best shooter in the league.

Conventional point guard play has not totally left the association as veterans like Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and Rajon Rondo still make table setting for their teammates a top priority.

However, those men are in the minority as the others who have chosen to redefine the position of the point guard have assisted in changing the game of basketball and how teams are constructed in the NBA.

I guess you can say assisting is still in their DNA somewhere!

Will the "Spurs Way" translate in the Highlight Factory?

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)

New Coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and his mentor Gregg Poppovich

Atlanta, Georgia is a city unlike most in the United States. Its makeup consists of mostly transplants who have chosen comfortable southern living over the bitterly cold winters and hectic pace of the north. Truly an International City, the ATL is a melting pot for all races and nationalities. Dubbed "The Hollywood of the South", it is customary in this town to arrive fashionably late for events, dressed to the nines, with the intent on being seen and entertained.

So when the Hawks organization decided to call its home, Philips Arena, The Highlight Factory a few years ago, they planned to provide entertaining basketball that would cater to the sometimes superficial fanbase. And at times, they did not disappoint.

Josh Smith could be electrifying by dunking, blocking shots, and throwing an occasional (well-executed) behind-the-back pass. Joe Johnson, at times, looked like a top ten player with his silky-smooth game and dribbling expertise. And the team actually had moderate playoff success, though never advancing past the semifinals.

However, General Manager Danny Ferry is not in the business of "look good first, win second". He has been groomed and molded by a San Antonio Spurs organization, whose mandate is championships. So there should have been little surprise when he replaced head coach Larry Drew with a man who is cut from the same cloth.

Newly hired Mike Budenholzer, the long time Spurs assistant, finally has  his chance to showcase his head coaching credentials. He brings an impressive resume' and an encyclopedic knowledge of the game. Instead of waiting to become the heir to Gregg Poppovich, he was convinced by Ferry to come to Atlanta and change the culture of a franchise who, quite frankly, has lost its identity.

Budenholzer has the tremendous task of getting the most out of a team who has lost what little box office appeal it had with the departure of the aforementioned Smith to Detroit. He will employ a new offensive and defensive scheme, that takes pages from the Spurs' modus operandi. 

San Antonio has traditionally been an effective offensive team, who centered it's attack around future Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan. Point guard, Tony Parker was developed (thanks in much part to Budenholzer) to be the type of floor general who would feed Duncan in the low post and also break down the opposing defense with dribble drive penetration. Not the most exhilarating type of basketball, but successful nonetheless.

The question is, can the remaining pieces Atlanta has left over from the recent regime simulate what the Spurs have been able to do?

To answer that, one must look squarely at the Hawks' new centerpiece Al Horford and guard, Jeff Teague. Horford, since entering the league in 2007 has been a consummate professional and a model of consistency. While not being blessed with the height of Tim Duncan, he does possess some off the same skills. Most notably, a dangerous mid-range jumper that is about as efficient as they come in the NBA. He is most effective at the elbow with most of his looks coming via the pick and roll. That being the bread and butter of the proposed Budenholzer offense, Horford will be sure to get plenty of looks as the roll man or the pick and pop man. If he can raise his scoring and rebounding numbers remains to be seen.

Jeff Teague will be responsible for orchestrating the offense to a tee. His numbers have improved each of the last three seasons and his skill-set can be compared to that of Tony Parker. Parker was given tough love by Pop in San Antonio, even after establishing himself as a bona-fide star. It is believed that Budenholzer will have the same expectations for the incumbent starting guard, who is returning after a flirtation with Milwaukee and his former coach, Larry Drew, that resulted in him signing a 4 year $32 million offer sheet with the team. Atlanta matched and, after some damage control, Teague is on board with the program.

Should Teague struggle to grasp the system, the Hawks have a young German phenomenon by the name of Dennis Schroeder waiting in the wings. Schroeder, while only 19 years of age, held his own at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland. His fantastic play elevated his draft status, allowing Atlanta to select him at #17.

Between the two point guards, Schroeder is more of a natural point, due to his ability to create space and opportunity for his teammates. However, Teague is more seasoned and brings a scoring element at the position that his younger contemporary does not.

The remaining pieces of the roster are impressive to the basketball connoisseur, but to the average fan who is drawn to the sexier aspects of the game, there is much left to be desired. After being turned down by Dwight Howard in free agency, Atlanta went on a transaction rampage by filling the roster with a combination of bigs, glue guys, and shooters.

Possibly the most notable signing was Paul Millsap from Utah. No one will mistake the power forward for Josh Smith, but he is essentially his replacement. Millsap's game is more comparable to that of Horford. This is further proof that the "Spurs South" system is in full effect. Other signings DeMarre Carroll, Elton Brand, Pero Antic, Gustavo Ayon and returning Kyle Korver are nothing to call ESPN about, but they fit into the plans of Ferry and Budenholzer. They want a cohesive roster that is coachable and willing to buy into what is being sold.

The days of erratic play that fans in Atlanta were accustomed to in recent memory may be coming to an end. Argue about the entertainment value of the currently constructed roster if you please, but what cannot be disputed is the fact that the Atlanta Hawks are creating an identity. The results may not be immediately seen at the turnstiles, but if there can be an immediate point of reference, look no further than across the street.

The Atlanta Falcons had the ultimate box office draw in Michael Vick. The Georgia Dome sold out each and every Sunday and jersey sales were at an all time high. After Vick was indicted and later convicted of masterminding a dog fighting ring, Falcon fans were stripped of the one player who would reel in even the most casual fan. Years after the fact, the Falcons have modeled themselves after another championship organization, the New England Patriots, and have been the most successful regular season team over the past five years. And the ticket sales have not missed a beat, despite the fact that no Falcon is among the league's leaders in jersey sales or endorsements. Winning and winning alone has contributed to the team's popularity in the A.

If the Hawks stay the course, this could be their story and beyond. At that point, we can officially change the name of Philips to the "Title Factory". Sounds a lot better, doesn't it?