[rickybobbyParticipant]

 Everyone knows how talented the pg position is right now in the NBA but has there ever been a position as deep at any given time period? And im just talking about from a pure talent perspective. Counting this past all star game there’s 14 active pg’s on rosters who have played in a allstar game atleast once. 8 of them played in sundays game.( That list however doesn’t include Steve Nash and the only guy not an allstar caliber talent as of now that’s on the list is Jameer Nelson) But that list also doesn’t include 

• Mike Conley
• Goran Dragic 
• Ty Lawson
• Eric Bledsoe
• Brandon Knight
• Isiah Thomas
• Micheal Carter Williams
• Brandon Jennings
• Kemba Walker
• Ricky Rubio

Each guy either already at an allstar level or just a notch or two below and will be there in a few years. Back to the question has any position ever been stacked with 15+ guys that are all similar in talent level besides a few guys at the top.

[Rip255]

I totally agree that it’s stronger than ever, but I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here….

A point guard hasn’t been the best player on a championship team since Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas.

If the PG position is so important, then why is there no correlation between strong PG play and championships over the last 20 years?

Am I wrong…or is strong PG play over-rated compared to wing & frontcourt stars?

 

 

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 I wouldn’t say it’s overrated, but more so that the teams that don’t have all-star caliber PG is because they have extremely high usage wing plays. Kobe has a usage percentage of 32% for his career, LeBron is right around 32%, and Wade is at 32%. Even though these players aren’t classified as point guards they essentially were, and most of the teams offense ran through them. If you look at the teams that didn’t have high usage players on it you’ll see a more balanced usage%, and a bigger name in the pointguard spot. Guys like Chauncy, Parker, and Rondo never had a usage that high or even past the 25% mark. 

I also think having a great PG in under rated in the game of basketball, and not just in the NBA. Every year in March Madness the teams with the best PG typically are the ones who go far. I attribute this to the PG’s ability to break down a D and handle themselves when a team brings a lot of pressure.

Same could be said for the NBA. Anyone remember watching the Pacers/Heat ECF a few years ago? Remember how awkward and useless George Hill was in that series it times? Incidently, it’s the Heat’s PG’s who got completely embarrassed by Barrea and the rest of the Mavs pg’s in 2010. Not having a good point guard could really hurt you. 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 I wouldn’t say it’s overrated, but more so that the teams that don’t have all-star caliber PG is because they have extremely high usage wing plays. Kobe has a usage percentage of 32% for his career, LeBron is right around 32%, and Wade is at 32%. Even though these players aren’t classified as point guards they essentially were, and most of the teams offense ran through them. If you look at the teams that didn’t have high usage players on it you’ll see a more balanced usage%, and a bigger name in the pointguard spot. Guys like Chauncy, Parker, and Rondo never had a usage that high or even past the 25% mark. 

I also think having a great PG in under rated in the game of basketball, and not just in the NBA. Every year in March Madness the teams with the best PG typically are the ones who go far. I attribute this to the PG’s ability to break down a D and handle themselves when a team brings a lot of pressure.

Same could be said for the NBA. Anyone remember watching the Pacers/Heat ECF a few years ago? Remember how awkward and useless George Hill was in that series it times? Incidently, it’s the Heat’s PG’s who got completely embarrassed by Barrea and the rest of the Mavs pg’s in 2010. Not having a good point guard could really hurt you. 

[Rip255]

I totally agree that it’s stronger than ever, but I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here….

A point guard hasn’t been the best player on a championship team since Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas.

If the PG position is so important, then why is there no correlation between strong PG play and championships over the last 20 years?

Am I wrong…or is strong PG play over-rated compared to wing & frontcourt stars?

 

 

 

[sitlbitoParticipant]

Rip:You have a point here,but the teams that won without a point guard simply had guys called Kobe Bryant and LeBron James who are pretty good basketball players I guess.Don’t you think Tony Parker is a big part of San Antonio’s success? He’s got a finals mvp,6 time all star,and was in the top 5 in the regular season mvp once. And I think what the OP want to say is that it doesn’t guarantee you a title,but look at all the top teams,they have a top point guard. The only teams that do not are Dallas to me(Rondo is not at the level he once was) and Houston. You can also count New Orléans but they’re not really a top team. So of the 10 best teams in the West,7 have a point guard as one of their main guys,and only Houston and Phoenix have a non all star PG. Of the 6 teams in the Eat over 0.500,the 5 best teams have an all star point guard(former or current),and Knight is one of the best if not the best player in Milwaukee,and maybe deserved to be in th New York this year.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

Rip:You have a point here,but the teams that won without a point guard simply had guys called Kobe Bryant and LeBron James who are pretty good basketball players I guess.Don’t you think Tony Parker is a big part of San Antonio’s success? He’s got a finals mvp,6 time all star,and was in the top 5 in the regular season mvp once. And I think what the OP want to say is that it doesn’t guarantee you a title,but look at all the top teams,they have a top point guard. The only teams that do not are Dallas to me(Rondo is not at the level he once was) and Houston. You can also count New Orléans but they’re not really a top team. So of the 10 best teams in the West,7 have a point guard as one of their main guys,and only Houston and Phoenix have a non all star PG. Of the 6 teams in the Eat over 0.500,the 5 best teams have an all star point guard(former or current),and Knight is one of the best if not the best player in Milwaukee,and maybe deserved to be in th New York this year.

[delfamParticipant]

 More Talented or More Athletic? There is a big difference.

How many true Floor Generals are there in basketball that control their team, the tempo of the game, and know when they have to pass or when they have to take over the game.

A guy like Billups on the Pistions Championships team is the type of PG that is ideal IMO, and the only guy that comes close is someone like Tony Parker today.

 

 

 

 

[delfamParticipant]

 More Talented or More Athletic? There is a big difference.

How many true Floor Generals are there in basketball that control their team, the tempo of the game, and know when they have to pass or when they have to take over the game.

A guy like Billups on the Pistions Championships team is the type of PG that is ideal IMO, and the only guy that comes close is someone like Tony Parker today.

 

 

 

 

[LovebugParticipant]

Darren Collison should be on that list. Underrated

[LovebugParticipant]

Darren Collison should be on that list. Underrated

[Champzilla21Participant]

 When it comes to star power at the tippity top all the way down to underrated players i think that Small forward has always been the most talented position in the league. From Tmac, lebron, Pierce, KD, Melo, down to players such as Artest, Josh Howard, Stojackovic. Now future players like Wiggins, Parker, George, Leonard etc. It just feels like theres always been a key match up there every playoff. But your right this has been a great year for the PG position

[sitlbitoParticipant]

And teams lacking a good/reliable small forwards are struggling to meet expectations. The SFmay be the most versatile position n the league. You need a good small forward whether he’s a terrific scorer or just a superstar(KD,LeBron,Melo),a versatile defender/passer or shooter(Batum,Ariza). Teams like the Clippers and NewOrleans are having a hard time finding a reliable SF.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

And teams lacking a good/reliable small forwards are struggling to meet expectations. The SFmay be the most versatile position n the league. You need a good small forward whether he’s a terrific scorer or just a superstar(KD,LeBron,Melo),a versatile defender/passer or shooter(Batum,Ariza). Teams like the Clippers and NewOrleans are having a hard time finding a reliable SF.

[Champzilla21Participant]

 When it comes to star power at the tippity top all the way down to underrated players i think that Small forward has always been the most talented position in the league. From Tmac, lebron, Pierce, KD, Melo, down to players such as Artest, Josh Howard, Stojackovic. Now future players like Wiggins, Parker, George, Leonard etc. It just feels like theres always been a key match up there every playoff. But your right this has been a great year for the PG position

[rickybobbyParticipant]

 I get what you’re saying but the list of pg’s that could argue or say ther were the best player on a championship team is short. Besides Magic and Isaih, you got Oscar Robertson, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, maybe a few more and they all played with other Hall of Fame players. 

And for pg’s and championships the last twenty years the NBA has been dominated by very good teams with very good players(listed below). And only 7 teams have won a championship since 1995. And pg’s where a big part of the the reason 4 of those teams won. Parker, Billups, Kidd, Rondo. The other teams had 2 plus stars each. While pg’s don’t typically win you championships doesn’t mean you can knock the talent level of the current group in the league today. 

Lakers: 5 rings

Spurs: 5 rings

Bulls: 3 rings

Heat: 3 rings 

Mavericks: 2 rings

Celtics: 1 ring

Pistons: 1 ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

As a Mavs fan can you freshen my memory to when our second ring was?

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

As a Mavs fan can you freshen my memory to when our second ring was?

[rickybobbyParticipant]

 I get what you’re saying but the list of pg’s that could argue or say ther were the best player on a championship team is short. Besides Magic and Isaih, you got Oscar Robertson, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, maybe a few more and they all played with other Hall of Fame players. 

And for pg’s and championships the last twenty years the NBA has been dominated by very good teams with very good players(listed below). And only 7 teams have won a championship since 1995. And pg’s where a big part of the the reason 4 of those teams won. Parker, Billups, Kidd, Rondo. The other teams had 2 plus stars each. While pg’s don’t typically win you championships doesn’t mean you can knock the talent level of the current group in the league today. 

Lakers: 5 rings

Spurs: 5 rings

Bulls: 3 rings

Heat: 3 rings 

Mavericks: 2 rings

Celtics: 1 ring

Pistons: 1 ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 The PGs are certainly loaded right now, whether they are the most talented position ever is certainly debatable though. Just at the top of my memory alone, the late 90s were loaded with shooting guards and the late 80s loaded with PFs (not to mention the mid 90s and centers). I need to get some paperwork done and shouldn’t really even be on here right now, but I’ll try to elaborate more in a few hours

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 The PGs are certainly loaded right now, whether they are the most talented position ever is certainly debatable though. Just at the top of my memory alone, the late 90s were loaded with shooting guards and the late 80s loaded with PFs (not to mention the mid 90s and centers). I need to get some paperwork done and shouldn’t really even be on here right now, but I’ll try to elaborate more in a few hours

[negguaryParticipant]

Spurs 4 rings with Tony Parker though @Rickybobby

[rickybobbyParticipant]

I know that. My reasoning is he’s been a big part of why they got those 4 rings with him.

[rickybobbyParticipant]

I know that. My reasoning is he’s been a big part of why they got those 4 rings with him.

[negguaryParticipant]

Spurs 4 rings with Tony Parker though @Rickybobby

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I agree with Jalen Rose here. Position names were created so that noobs understand the game. Clearly, there are several players in that list who aren’t true PGs… they’re just listed as PG because of their size.

I’d say the league has a lot of undersized scoring guards.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

They’re calling PG the guy who starts the possession,brings the ball up. I don’t understand that “true point guard” thing. It’s like saying Chandler isn’t a true Center because he doesn’t post up. Dude is an all star. Or are Shooting guards not shooting guards when they don’t shoot? What is Tony Allen then? a defender?

[sitlbitoParticipant]

They’re calling PG the guy who starts the possession,brings the ball up. I don’t understand that “true point guard” thing. It’s like saying Chandler isn’t a true Center because he doesn’t post up. Dude is an all star. Or are Shooting guards not shooting guards when they don’t shoot? What is Tony Allen then? a defender?

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I agree with Jalen Rose here. Position names were created so that noobs understand the game. Clearly, there are several players in that list who aren’t true PGs… they’re just listed as PG because of their size.

I’d say the league has a lot of undersized scoring guards.

[rickybobbyParticipant]

 Yea i ment 1 for the mavs. But just because a guy isn’t a true pg or doesn’t mean he isn’t a pg. If that’s the case then pf and C that shoot threes wouldnt be bigmen. The game has changed and the way players do too. 

[rickybobbyParticipant]

 Yea i ment 1 for the mavs. But just because a guy isn’t a true pg or doesn’t mean he isn’t a pg. If that’s the case then pf and C that shoot threes wouldnt be bigmen. The game has changed and the way players do too. 

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