[valentine]

 Who are the true ‘positionless players’ in the NBA.

To qualify for this title, you must meet the following criteria.

1) Must be able to defend 3 to 5 positions…even in a pinch.

2) Don’t have to be equally good at every position, but must be better than a 3rd stringer at least in the weakest one. Eg Lebron at Center is still better than Eddy Curry is.

The quest is to find out who is the true ‘Mr Versatility’….and also find out some sneaky versatile players who fill many roles for their team.

I’ll start with Greek Freak. If he adds some muscle, I dont see why he couldnt play every position at 6’11" with sound handles.

Now that he’s off the table….who else?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 with the title run fresh in my mind, I immediately thouyght of Iggy. Draymond Green as well to a lesser extent because I did not see him at the 3 (I don’t watch much Warriors ball).

Trevor Ariza- Loved how he played with the Lakers, was shocked when they didn’t resign him and he’s been bouncing around the league ever since. Can easily guard 3s and 4s and could do small streches at 5, expecially if the other team is playing small ball.

Nic Batum- Maybe? I haven’t seen Batum play a full game in years, but he is versitile.

MKG- I am confident that he could guard anyone in the NBA and he would if it meant it would help his team win games.

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 with the title run fresh in my mind, I immediately thouyght of Iggy. Draymond Green as well to a lesser extent because I did not see him at the 3 (I don’t watch much Warriors ball).

Trevor Ariza- Loved how he played with the Lakers, was shocked when they didn’t resign him and he’s been bouncing around the league ever since. Can easily guard 3s and 4s and could do small streches at 5, expecially if the other team is playing small ball.

Nic Batum- Maybe? I haven’t seen Batum play a full game in years, but he is versitile.

MKG- I am confident that he could guard anyone in the NBA and he would if it meant it would help his team win games.

 

 

 

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Kd… ho

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

Kd… ho

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Well. I’ll be Mr. obvious here and name lebron James. He could pretty much play any position on the floor if need be, both offensively and defensively.

Boris diaw is another name that comes to mind. Very versatile offensive skill set and better defender than people give him credit for.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Well. I’ll be Mr. obvious here and name lebron James. He could pretty much play any position on the floor if need be, both offensively and defensively.

Boris diaw is another name that comes to mind. Very versatile offensive skill set and better defender than people give him credit for.

 

[ropeParticipant]

 I know it is not answering your question about current players, but the best all time with this description was Magic Johnson. 

At the time Pat Riley was know to say that the ultimate basketball team would be five 6′ 9" guys who were interchangeable at all positions.

 

[ropeParticipant]

 I know it is not answering your question about current players, but the best all time with this description was Magic Johnson. 

At the time Pat Riley was know to say that the ultimate basketball team would be five 6′ 9" guys who were interchangeable at all positions.

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 Hayward, he runs the offense as much as the point does for the Jazz, he plays the 2 & the 3 equally well, in fact I like him at the 2 better than at the 3, ( gives the Jazz an advantage with his size when he plays the 2 ), this yr with teams playing small ball so much , coach Snyder plans to use Hayward at the 4 some, Hayward has great versatility and is still underrated.

[Captain LParticipant]

 Hayward, he runs the offense as much as the point does for the Jazz, he plays the 2 & the 3 equally well, in fact I like him at the 2 better than at the 3, ( gives the Jazz an advantage with his size when he plays the 2 ), this yr with teams playing small ball so much , coach Snyder plans to use Hayward at the 4 some, Hayward has great versatility and is still underrated.

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Shawn Marion and Shane Battier. Both can guard guys 1 to 4. Both also plays the 2, 3 and 4 very well. Magic Johnson fits here as well and also Dennis Rodman.

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Shawn Marion and Shane Battier. Both can guard guys 1 to 4. Both also plays the 2, 3 and 4 very well. Magic Johnson fits here as well and also Dennis Rodman.

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 Against Houston he showed his full display of versatility. He was staying with Harden on the perimeter, crashing the glass on both ends, blocking shots at the rim, hitting 3pointers and running the break like a wing.

I think he has DPOY potential and my biggest disappointment as a Mavs fan from the offseason is losing him not DeAndre Jordan. 

But I will say it comes down to how he’s used in Portland because his skillset reminds me of a young AK-47 (without the passing element). Before Boozer & Deron he was used like a Swiss Army knife. Guys like this lose a lot of value if you try to force them into a traditional positional role.

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 Against Houston he showed his full display of versatility. He was staying with Harden on the perimeter, crashing the glass on both ends, blocking shots at the rim, hitting 3pointers and running the break like a wing.

I think he has DPOY potential and my biggest disappointment as a Mavs fan from the offseason is losing him not DeAndre Jordan. 

But I will say it comes down to how he’s used in Portland because his skillset reminds me of a young AK-47 (without the passing element). Before Boozer & Deron he was used like a Swiss Army knife. Guys like this lose a lot of value if you try to force them into a traditional positional role.

[high floorParticipant]

He has the footspeed, length, and agility to guard 1-4 for stretches. You’re obviously not going to stick Gordon on a PG for 48 minutes… but he can switch onto them effectively in the pick and roll and also on closeouts to the 3pt line. I think he’ll begin to get more recognition for this with sustained PT this season

[high floorParticipant]

He has the footspeed, length, and agility to guard 1-4 for stretches. You’re obviously not going to stick Gordon on a PG for 48 minutes… but he can switch onto them effectively in the pick and roll and also on closeouts to the 3pt line. I think he’ll begin to get more recognition for this with sustained PT this season

[T Rex]

 Rondae Hollis Jefferson has underrated point forward/guard skills.

Kyle Anderson, Evan Turner, Jonathan Holmes on the Lakers, Trey Lyles, Andrew Harrison.

Marcus Smart can play 3 positions.

 

[T Rex]

 Rondae Hollis Jefferson has underrated point forward/guard skills.

Kyle Anderson, Evan Turner, Jonathan Holmes on the Lakers, Trey Lyles, Andrew Harrison.

Marcus Smart can play 3 positions.

 

[T Rex]

 Dwight Powell and Norman Powell.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Dwight Powell and Norman Powell.

 

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

Positionless to me doesn’t just mean they can guard multiple positions like half the guys mentioned on this thread. I think of guys like Lebron, Magic, Boris Diaw, Draymond Green, and guys like that who can seemingly do a little bit of everything well. Like I see guys like Aminu and MKG being mentioned here, but if you play either of them at anything besides the 3 or 4, you’re in trouble. Whereas those other guys I mentioned, you could put them in the post, out on the perimeter, or even give them the ball and they can contribute, plus they can each guard all 5 positions well

[SubZeroParticipant]

Positionless to me doesn’t just mean they can guard multiple positions like half the guys mentioned on this thread. I think of guys like Lebron, Magic, Boris Diaw, Draymond Green, and guys like that who can seemingly do a little bit of everything well. Like I see guys like Aminu and MKG being mentioned here, but if you play either of them at anything besides the 3 or 4, you’re in trouble. Whereas those other guys I mentioned, you could put them in the post, out on the perimeter, or even give them the ball and they can contribute, plus they can each guard all 5 positions well

[TRC1991Participant]

Tony Allen without a doubt! Can’t shoot, super phenomenal on D, excellent playmaker

[TRC1991Participant]

Tony Allen without a doubt! Can’t shoot, super phenomenal on D, excellent playmaker

[B-ball fanParticipant]

Shaun Livingston is kinda positionless.  He is a guard, but he often is used on the weakside baseline like a big man and posts up a lot.  Defensively, he is a perimeter player, but on offense, he can play like both a guard and a big man.  He is like a power forward/point guard hybrid.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

Shaun Livingston is kinda positionless.  He is a guard, but he often is used on the weakside baseline like a big man and posts up a lot.  Defensively, he is a perimeter player, but on offense, he can play like both a guard and a big man.  He is like a power forward/point guard hybrid.

[T Rex]

 Kevon Looney

 

 

[T Rex]

 Kevon Looney

 

 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Lamar Odom is one of the best. played point center at times. 

Jeff Green

 Ben Simmons will be the next big positionless player to enter the league .

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Lamar Odom is one of the best. played point center at times. 

Jeff Green

 Ben Simmons will be the next big positionless player to enter the league .

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

He is verstaile enough to guard multiple positions. He can guard 1 to 4 beacuse of his length although I don’t know if he can consistenly do it with big man since he’s kinda skinny.

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

He is verstaile enough to guard multiple positions. He can guard 1 to 4 beacuse of his length although I don’t know if he can consistenly do it with big man since he’s kinda skinny.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Antoine Walker was one of the best examples I think. He basically functioned as a point pf for those late 90s, early 00s Celtics teams. He wasn’t much of a defender but was an extremely versatile and crafty offensive player.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Antoine Walker was one of the best examples I think. He basically functioned as a point pf for those late 90s, early 00s Celtics teams. He wasn’t much of a defender but was an extremely versatile and crafty offensive player.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I don’t think the Celtics played Larry Bird at any spot other than small forward or power forward but he DID run the offense and did have some size, so he could have played all 5 positions.

Magic is probably the BEST guy ever to do it.  Maybe the ONLY guy as his mediocre jumper didn’t matter as much in the pre-3 point boom NBA although his 3 point shot did get better later in his career.

Today?  LeBron is the guy.  More of a point power forward, but you can play him anywhere in spurts.

The only guy who could GUARD 5 positions?  Dennis Rodman.  But in NO WAY was he a guard, although I did see him bring the ball up the court and run some offense when he was on David Robinson’s Spurs teams.  A 3 with the Pistons earlier in his career, then one of the best power forwards ever, he then helped slow down guys like Shaq later in his career.  He would probably be the WORST shooting guard in NBA history (at least on offense).  Ok, Tony Allen’s offense is probably still worse, but still…

You guys are right about Lamar Odom and Antoine Walker.  Great all-around players.

Here is another guy: Toni Kukoc.  Basically a backup small forward on the Bulls dynasty teams but he could handle the ball and pass.  I am sure he played some 4 too.  Probably even some center.  Well, either him or Rodman in small ball lineups.  Then he could shoot.  So, on offense, at least he is probably one of the VERY FEW guys who could play all 5 positions on offense.  Defense?  Not sure if he defended ANY position.

That is my five: LeBron, Magic, Bird, Odom, and Kukoc.  Rodman is eliminated from this based on OFFENSE.  Antoine Walker is my 6th man since his TO’s were high and he couldn’t shoot — it didn’t seem to stop his shot attempts though.  Funny, but Kukoc, Odom, and even Antoine Walker spent time as 6th men.  Probably an IDEAL 6th man role.  Experts in no one particular area, but really, reallly solid in multiple roles and positions with multiple skill sets.

Dennis Rodman, however, is the ONLY guy in NBA history who could guard all 5 positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I don’t think the Celtics played Larry Bird at any spot other than small forward or power forward but he DID run the offense and did have some size, so he could have played all 5 positions.

Magic is probably the BEST guy ever to do it.  Maybe the ONLY guy as his mediocre jumper didn’t matter as much in the pre-3 point boom NBA although his 3 point shot did get better later in his career.

Today?  LeBron is the guy.  More of a point power forward, but you can play him anywhere in spurts.

The only guy who could GUARD 5 positions?  Dennis Rodman.  But in NO WAY was he a guard, although I did see him bring the ball up the court and run some offense when he was on David Robinson’s Spurs teams.  A 3 with the Pistons earlier in his career, then one of the best power forwards ever, he then helped slow down guys like Shaq later in his career.  He would probably be the WORST shooting guard in NBA history (at least on offense).  Ok, Tony Allen’s offense is probably still worse, but still…

You guys are right about Lamar Odom and Antoine Walker.  Great all-around players.

Here is another guy: Toni Kukoc.  Basically a backup small forward on the Bulls dynasty teams but he could handle the ball and pass.  I am sure he played some 4 too.  Probably even some center.  Well, either him or Rodman in small ball lineups.  Then he could shoot.  So, on offense, at least he is probably one of the VERY FEW guys who could play all 5 positions on offense.  Defense?  Not sure if he defended ANY position.

That is my five: LeBron, Magic, Bird, Odom, and Kukoc.  Rodman is eliminated from this based on OFFENSE.  Antoine Walker is my 6th man since his TO’s were high and he couldn’t shoot — it didn’t seem to stop his shot attempts though.  Funny, but Kukoc, Odom, and even Antoine Walker spent time as 6th men.  Probably an IDEAL 6th man role.  Experts in no one particular area, but really, reallly solid in multiple roles and positions with multiple skill sets.

Dennis Rodman, however, is the ONLY guy in NBA history who could guard all 5 positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Guards 1-4 at a high level. Initiates the offense sometimes, also spends plenty of time on the wing and in the pinch post.

Detroit Grant Hill & Minnesota KG also did it all

 

 

[SmooveKRYPTParticipant]

Guards 1-4 at a high level. Initiates the offense sometimes, also spends plenty of time on the wing and in the pinch post.

Detroit Grant Hill & Minnesota KG also did it all

 

 

[T Rex]

 Kelly Olynyk

Jonas Jerebko

Evan Turner

Smart

Rozier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 Kelly Olynyk

Jonas Jerebko

Evan Turner

Smart

Rozier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jaycee24Participant]

 Justise Winslow

Ben Gordon

Shaun Livingston

Victor Oladipo

Austin Daye

Paul George because of his height mostly

Quincy Acy

Stanley Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jaycee24Participant]

 Justise Winslow

Ben Gordon

Shaun Livingston

Victor Oladipo

Austin Daye

Paul George because of his height mostly

Quincy Acy

Stanley Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jaycee24Participant]

 luke babbitt

[jaycee24Participant]

 luke babbitt

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Stanley Johnson???

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Stanley Johnson???

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