Point guard

The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. This position has a very special role and is often the shortest player on the court, though this isn’t always true.

Point guards are in charge of controlling the speed of the game. They “run” the team’s offense by handling the ball and making sure it reaches the right player at the right time. They need to be very good at passing and dribbling to help move the ball around the court. In a pick and roll offense, the point guard usually moves around screens to pass the ball to a big, like a power forward or center. They can also shoot when they have space.

On defense, point guards usually guard players near the edge of the key area. Most of all, a point guard must understand and follow the coach’s game plan, much like a quarterback in gridiron football. They also need to adjust to what the other team allows and keep control of the game’s pace.

Overview

A point guard is a special kind of player in basketball. Their main job is to help the team score, either by passing the ball to teammates or sometimes by scoring themselves. They are like a coach on the court, handling the ball and deciding where to pass it. Point guards start plays, pass the ball to the best scorer, and control how fast the game goes. They need to be good teammates, know when to speed up the game with a fast break, and plan careful plays. Point guards must also keep track of important things like the shot clock and the score while leading their team.

Examples

Magic Johnson won the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award three times, the most for a point guard in NBA history. Stephen Curry and Steve Nash have each been named the league MVP twice. Other NBA point guards with wins include Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Since 1969, Johnson and Curry are the only point guards to win the NBA MVP, Finals MVP and All-Star Game MVP awards in their careers. Notable point guards of the WNBA include five-time champion Sue Bird, her Olympic teammate Diana Taurasi and Courtney Vandersloot. In the NBA, point guards generally range from 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) to 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) whereas in the WNBA, point guards are usually 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) or shorter. Having above-average size (height, muscle) is considered advantageous, although size is secondary to situational awareness, speed, quickness and ball-handling skills. At 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) the shortest player in NBA history, Muggsy Bogues played 889 games in a 14-year career as a point guard.

After the opponent scores, it is typically the point guard who brings the ball up the court to begin an offensive play. Passing skills, ball handling and court vision are crucial. Speed is important; a speedy point guard is better able to create separation and space off the dribble, giving themselves room to work. Point guards are often valued more for their assist totals than for their scoring. John Stockton holds the all time NBA record for assists. Another major evaluation factor is the assist-to-turnover ratio, which reflects the decision-making skills of the player. Given the evolved nature of basketball in the modern day, a first-rate point guard is also required to have a reasonably effective jump shot.

The point guard is positioned on the perimeter of the play to have the best view of the action, which is crucial because of their leadership obligations. Announcers often refer to the point guard as a "coach on the floor" or a "floor general." These nicknames were particularly true in the past, as several point guards, such as Lenny Wilkens, served their teams as player-coaches. This practice is rare now, as most coaches specialize in their role. Some point guards have great leeway in the offense though they are still extensions of their coach on the floor and must display good leadership skills.

Along with leadership and general basketball acumen, ball-handling is an important skill for a point guard. Generally speaking, the point guard is often the player in possession of the ball and is responsible for maintaining its possession. Point guards must be able to maintain possession of the ball in crowded spaces and be able to advance it quickly. A point guard with enough ball-handling skill and quickness to drive to the basket in a half-court set is also very valuable and considered by some to be a must for a successful offense.

After ball-handling, the most important areas of the game for a point guard are passing and scoring. As the primary decision-maker for a team, a point guard's passing ability determines how well a point guard can put their decision into play. It is one thing to be able to recognize the player that is in a tactically advantageous position. Still, it is another thing entirely to be able to deliver the ball to that player. For this reason, a point guard is usually more skilled and focused on passing than shooting. However, a good jump shot and the ability to score off a drive to the basket are still valuable skills. Point guards often use their scoring ability to augment their effectiveness as decision-makers and playmakers.

In addition to the traditional role of the point guard, modern teams have found new ways to utilize the position. Notably, several modern point guards have used a successful style of post-play, a tactic usually practiced by much larger centers and forwards. Exploiting the fact that the opposing point guard is often an undersized player with limited strength, several modern point guards have developed games close to the basket that include being able to utilize the drop step, spin move and fade-away jump shot.

In recent years, the sport's shift from a fundamental style of play to a more athletic, scoring-oriented game resulted in the proliferation of so-called combo guards at the point guard position. More explosive and athletic point guards focus on scoring instead of play-making, forgoing assists, ball movement and often defense for higher scoring numbers. Young players who are relatively short are now developing the scoring aspects of their skill sets, whereas previously, these players would find it difficult to enter the NBA without true point guard skills. These combo point guards can surprise defenses. Instead of passing after bringing up the ball, they quickly drive to the basket or step back for an outside shot. There are some disadvantages to this style of play. A point guard often controls the offense and who gets the ball, as this type of controlling style of play is necessary to maintain the tempo of a game. Scoring point guards typically look to score first, thus preventing teammates from getting the ball and excluding them from the offense. Even so, combo guards still require above-average passing skills, but not as much as "pure" point guards (in the traditional sense).

A defensive point guard is someone who is exceptionally good at defense; their goal is to preclude the opposing point guard from scoring. A defensive point guard will try to accomplish this with constant pressure on the ball, making it difficult to maintain possession by forcing turnovers. A defensive point guard will also pressure opponents in passing lanes to generate steals and scoring opportunities for their team. One of the most notable defensive point guards in NBA history is Kirk Hinrich, whose lateral quickness and defensive prowess against the pick and roll became a valuable team asset. The Kansas Jayhawks' 2002 and 2003 Final Four appearances in the NCAA Division I tournament is partly credited to Hinrich's defensive skill set. Hinrich led the Jayhawks to runner-up in the 2003 National Championship game and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the storied 2003 NBA draft and had a productive NBA career.

Other examples of defensive point guards include Jrue Holiday, whose defensive aggression against Chris Paul and Devin Booker helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the 2021 NBA Finals. Marcus Smart, then a point guard for the Boston Celtics, won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Other NBA point guards known for their defensive prowess include Gary Payton, Chris Paul, Patrick Beverley, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Mike Conley Jr.