The Death of the TRUE Point Guard

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

November 1996

The 1990s should bring an end to the never-ending comment of describing a basketball player as being a "true" point guard or "true" anything. There is no such no thing. People (fans, media, even some basketball personnel), need to acknowledge the fact that players today have all around skills which allow them to play numerous positions on the basketball floor.

In an article in INSIDE SPORTS (February 1996), it mentions an NBA personnel person looks for the following characteristics in the ideal / true point guard:

• great ball - handling ability;

• the ability to go past opponents to penetrate and break down the defense;

• the ability to put pressure on the ball all over the court;

• a good jump shot;

• the ability to create plays for his teammates;

• the ability to create his own shot;

• the ability to finish plays

• the vision to see the entire court -- and the basketball brain to recognize, react to, and resolve every situation he sees;

• innate leadership and the ability to make the right decision instantly, and, most importantly,

• a team-first, pass first mentality, which requires an unselfish nature and the willingness to think of others before yourself.

Anyone who follows basketball realizes the player who closely meets all of this criteria is Utah's John Stockton and even Stockton "does not have the strength or speed to pressure the ball full-court", said New York Knicks' President Dave Checketts. Apparently, Checketts is looking for the perfect, not just "true", point guard.

Based on the criteria, the last ideal point guard to win an NBA championship was Philadelphia's Maurice Cheeks which means the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, and Rockets must have won titles with mirrors. Magic Johnson was not only a point guard, he was a basketball player who could play more than just one position. Isiah Thomas was a guard who could pass as well as score. Michael Jordan can do whatever is necessary to lead the Bulls to a title. Sam Cassell and Kenny Smith had the moments in the spotlight to help the Rockets to back - to - back titles. Notice, Utah, with the game's "truest" point guard has no titles in their history.

People everywhere claim the (insert team here) do not have a "true" point guard to run their club. Big deal. Who does? Grant Hill is the Detroit Pistons primary ball handler; i.e., he is the Pistons' point forward. Anfernee Hardaway is Orlando's point guard. The Chicago Bulls have won 4 championships all without the ridiculous true" point guard. The Houston Rockets don't have a true point guard today nor did they have one when commissioner David Stern was presenting them with 2 trophies.

Look at this year's top rookies: Minnesota's Stephon Marbury and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson. Neither one is a "true" point guard. However, people will describe Marbury as being more of a "true" point guard than Iverson. What does that mean?

Stop using nebulous terms. Iverson looks to score first and pass third. Marbury is a more complete player: he can pass, shoot, score, and defend.

Championships are won with basketball players who can do more than one thing. The more versatile your players are, the more flexibility a team has to score and defend: the cornerstones to winning.

When Stockton retires (most likely without an NBA title), there will be no more "true" point guards just basketball players which is what the game is all about. Does anyone realize that the Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon is not a "true" center?