Basketball has seen several changes over the years, as the traditional roles of players have been modified to suit the changing pace of the game. While addressing this during an interview, St. John’s coach Rick Pitino claimed that the traditional point guard doesn’t exist anymore. He said:
“There are no point guards anymore. If you find it, you’d probably describe it as a guy who can’t shoot.”
Following Pitino’s statement, a reporter asked, “What’s Jalen Brunson?”
Pitino responded, “He’s a combo scoring guard. I don’t think he’s looking for the assist. I think he’s looking to score, and thank God he is.”
“Who’s the point guard of the Knicks, the Lakers, the Celtics, the champ of all champions. The point guard is totally done in basketball,” he continued. “The days of John Stockton are long gone. There are no more point guards. Chris Paul’s probably the last one. So you’ve got to play with everybody handling the basketball, five-out, just create good movement.”
Most positions have evolved from their traditional roles. With the advent of stretch forwards and centers, the traditional shot-blocking, low-post big man has become a rarity.
As drastic as the shift has been for big men, the changes in the point guard position have been far more significant.
The traditional point guard was a playmaker, a floor general. Their task was to orchestrate the offense and coordinate plays for the team, focusing primarily on unselfish play and finding the open man.
Today’s game features dynamic scoring guards like Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard. As brilliant as they are, it is clear: while they are listed as point guards, their style no longer reflects the traditional role.
This is not to say that these players are incapable of making plays. Both Brunson and Curry possess incredible passing abilities, with flair being a key part of their game. However, Pitino noted that their first instinct is to score, not assist.
In many ways, Pitino was right in stating that Chris Paul may be the last pure point guard in the game. When considering his intelligence, his playmaking ability, and his leadership as a floor general, Paul truly embodies what it means to be a point guard.
Although the true point guard may not be as significant in the modern game, the need for passing and playmaking will always be relevant. Teams often feature versatile players with multifaceted skill sets to personify this ideal.
Players such as Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are prime examples of this. Both display keen passing ability and playmaking instincts, yet their scoring prowess cannot be ignored.
This demonstrates the shift in the way the game is played. With the Warriors‘ motion offense effectively changing the rules and establishing the idea of positionless basketball, teams have adapted their own variations of the strategy for greater effectiveness.
Players are constantly adapting and redefining traditional roles. With each generation introducing a new brand of basketball, the NBA is poised for continued innovation, ensuring the sport remains dynamic.
