Full Court Framework: Moving Forward

Enter the age of the point guard. With unlimited turbo-like speed, mind bending passes, and ankle breaking moves, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Russell Wesbrook, Derrick Rose, and Deron Williams, have grabbed the attention of the nation and refuse to let go. One can hardly discuss basketball for 5 minutes without having to divulge who he or she believes is the “best point guard alive” (It’s Chris Paul). For better or worse, we are point guard obsessed, constantly delineating between pure point and combo guard, arguing over the merits of each guard and their intrinsic contribution towards winning basketball, as well as regularly discrediting one at the expense of another. Let’s take a step back. Forget about the arguments, and rankings for just a moment. What it is about these lead guards we find so fascinating?

Since its inception, basketball has been a game dominated by size. Nothing makes coaches, scouts, and general managers drool quite like a big man with potential (What do Hasheem Thabeet, Darko Milicic, and Kwame Brown all have in common? Hint: It’s not wildly successful NBA careers). It’s intuitive. Bigger, longer players will have an easier time scoring and rebounding, while also providing the necessary protection around the rim. Thus when a 6’3 (at most), 180 pound, shaggy haired Canadian dominates the game with an array of dexterous scoop shots, floaters, and one handed bounce passes, it shakes the foundation. Shocks the system. Makes everyone take notice. It’s the sheer audacity of it all; an individual who has been reminded both explicitly and implicitly that he lacks the size to impact a game saying, “No, F*** that, WATCH THIS.” When Chris Paul goes nova and single-handedly defeats the most talented frontline in the league, he taps into one of the most powerful phenomena in sports: rooting for the underdog. Everything’s against him; conventional belief dictates he will fail. Yet he keeps coming, perfectly executed pick and roll after perfectly executed pick and roll, disassembling  the defense with every pass known to man, and some yet to be seen. (Like this one).

Along with the ability to succeed despite their physical shortcomings comes an unbelievable amount of self-expression. All of the great point guards ooze style. Rajon Rondo uses monstrous hands and a pterodactyl wingspan to do things like this , this and this. Chris Paul uses peerless ball handling skills and blacktop flair to gives us indescribable moves, and incomprehensible passes. Russell Westbrook uses seemingly unstoppable speed and explosiveness to remind us even point guards can produce dunk of the year candidates. Derrick Rose’s acrobat turned contortionist brand of finishing, Steve Nash’s signature looping, keep your dribble alive until an offensive player breaks free approach, the list goes on. With so much variety, there’s a point guard that will fit your taste. There exists a certain ineffable quality that emanates from each players style. We are often drawn to one more than the others. That individual’s style of play, their unique interpretation of the position connects us to them. Who we choose to root for reveals something important about us as fans. It gives further expression to our  basketball sensibilities.

As we welcome this exceptional class of point guards, we say goodbye to the most talented group of power forwards the game has seen. Chris Webber is at the beginning of what proves to be a promising broadcast career, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are getting older, slower, and less effective with each passing season, and Rasheed Wallace has resigned himself to harassing referees in semi professional summer leagues. As Charles Barkley often reminds us, only one person is and will forever remain undefeated, “Father Time”. The league will miss Duncan’s understated dominance, Garnett’s relentless drive, Webber’s uncanny vision, and Sheed’s exuberant personality.  As a relatively young NBA fan, it’s difficult to see such formidable frontmen fade into irrelevancy. Likewise, old age will eventually rob today’s guards of the speed and skill that makes them so breathtaking to watch. So, embrace the art and beauty in the complete mastery of running an offense. Bask in the style and bravado. Remember  these guards have something to teach us: that with enough quickness, toughness, and moxie size can be overcome. Basketball doesn’t have to be a big man’s game. Time is short. Learn from them while you still can.