We are in the midst of seeing a new breed of point guards in the NBA.
The traditional point guard is now turning into new "hybrid" point guards. The old school, typical pass first point guard is rare in todays game. Rajon Rondo may be one of the only point guards in the NBA with the real pass first mentality, but after him there are no John Stockton type point guards left. Jason Kidd and Steve Nash are still in the NBA, but they are near the end of their respective careers, and a dying breed.
What we are on the brink of, and already seeing is the shoot first point guard.
Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook are my main examples. These two players are unbelievably explosive, and nothing like we've seen before coming from the point guard position.
The next main point about them being the new "hybrid" point guard is how many shots they are shooting per game. We just saw it last night for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4. Russell Westbrook shot 33 times. Let that sink in for a second.....33 times. That's an insane amount of shots for any player, let alone for a point guard, and with superstar Kevin Durant on the same team! Derrick Rose has shot 59 times combined in the last 2 games. Unbelievable for these two young point guards.
We haven't really a score first type talent from the point guard position like these two since Allen Iverson.
These two players alone are re-shaping the way people are looking at what a point guard should bring to the table. With their ability to score at will, and explode to the basket at any given moment, they are on another level on an athletic scale, compared to the rest of the point guards.
With the point guards taking over in this years NBA Playoffs, it's no wonder why we see future NBA players like Kyrie Irving getting so much love in this years upcoming draft. With the potential to grab a point guard who can turn your respective team around, it's a no brainer for most teams.
Look at who's left in the playoffs. Mavericks, Heat, Celtics, Grizzlies, Bulls, Hawks and Thunder. What do these teams have in common? All of these teams play defense first of all, but second of all they are getting outstanding play from their point guards.
Unsuspecting play from Mike Conley Jr. has the Grizzlies playing the Thunder extremely tough. Even Jason Kidd, the 38 year old point guard is still being extremely productive. We all know how well Rondo was playing before the injury to his elbow.
We all know how well MVP Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook have been playing.
It sure would be interesting to see these two meet in the Finals and get to see two of the most explosive point guards I've seen, go head-to-head.
But who knows what could happen? It's the Playoffs after all.
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| Image Source Page: http://www.dailythunder.com/2010/02/russell-westbrooks-natural-progression/ |
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