Becoming a great point guard is no easy task. The point guard is the lead decision maker on the team. More often than not, they are the player who brings the ball up the court and determines where the ball will go. Without a good point guard a team will crumble, with a great point guard a team can win championships.
So, what exactly is it that makes a great point guard?
We sat down to chat with PSB Raleigh Director, JJ Miller. You can check out the podcast below!
JJ was a point guard who played college basketball at NC A&T State University where he was an All-American player. After college, JJ had a 15-year professional career throughout Europe, South American, and a brief stint in the NBA.
JJ listed his Top 3 Things Great Point Guards Must Have…
- Skillset
- Basketball IQ
- Leadership
Let’s take a deeper dive into each of these.
#1 Skillset
To become a great point guard you must be able to dribble, pass, shoot, and defend. You cannot afford to lack in any of these areas in modern day basketball if you are looking to succeed. You must be able to do them all to play the position at a high level.
As a point guard you must be able to handle the ball. It is one of the most important roles of the PG, to bring the ball up the court and not turn it over as the offense is initiated. Opposing defenders are going to try to stop you, being able to handle the ball under pressure will be pivotal.
On top of being able to protect the ball with your ball handling, you must also be able to pass and distribute the ball effectively to your teammates to set them up in the best position to score. It does not have to be a flashy pass, just an effective pass.
In modern day basketball the point guard position has become more valuable as great guards not only handle the ball well and know how to get the ball to their teammates, they also are able to hit shots from the perimeter. Becoming a better shooter changes the way defenders have to guard a PG. Defenders having to play tighter defense will allow for more attacks off the dribble, getting into the paint and either scoring or getting that assist.
Point Guards must also be able to defend. They are the first line of defense, they set the tone for the rest of the team. Becoming a PG who can guard multiple positions is a huge benefit to a team.
If you can handle the ball, distribute the ball effectively, knock down perimeter shots consistently, and play quality defense, you are well on your way to becoming a great point guard.
However, those skills alone are not enough.
#2 Basketball IQ
Being a truly great point guard means you have the responsibility to truly learn and understand the game of basketball. How to score as a team and how to get a defensive stop as a team.
You must understand every layer of your offense from each position. Part of your job as a point guard is to set up your teammates in great positions to score. This is why it is so important to understand each of your teammates’ roles within the offense. If you know what your Center is supposed to be doing then you can set them up perfectly to score.
You must also be an intelligent defender. Not only understanding how to guard your assignment but also what the team’s defensive game-plan is as a whole. As a great point guard, you can never only worry about yourself.
You can raise your Basketball IQ by studying the game. Watching film, and mastering your team’s playbook. It takes time to learn the correct reads and begin to see and understand when and where your teammates will be open within your offense.
A great point guard uses their Basketball IQ to lead the team on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. They make sure the team is always on the same page.
#3 Leadership
This may be the most important trait of a great point guard. The point guard is like the quarterback of the team. If they have a bad attitude or do not play hard it almost always has a major effect on the team. These would be examples of poor leadership.
Great point guards lead by example. They hold themselves accountable the same way they hold their teammates accountable. When a point guard accepts this accountability they can earn the respect from their team.
At that point a PG can truly begin to lead the team.
A major leadership role of a great point guard is to keep their teammates confident. Everyone misses shots, when a point guard gets the ball to a shooter and the shot does not fall, a great point guard reminds their teammate that the shot was a great shot and will go in next time. Being this positive voice in teammates ears is a huge leadership trait.
At the same time, a great point guard will hold their teammates accountable when they take a bad shot or not the shot the team was looking for in the offense. Now, this can only happen if the PG has held themselves accountable first and earned the respect of their teammates.
A truly great point guard cannot just dribble, pass and score. They must also be able to lead their team to a victory.
Conclusion
Becoming great at anything is difficult. In the case of becoming a great point guard the challenge lies in many different traits great point guards need to excel in.
Just being able to dribble and pass is not enough anymore. Being able to dribble, pass, shoot and defend but not understanding how to play the game will limit your potential. Having a high IQ but not being a leader will keep you from being truly great at the point guard position.
However, If you commit yourself to be the best you can be in these three areas, you are setting yourself up for greatness.
LISTEN ?
If you want to listen to our conversation with JJ Miller check out the podcast by clicking the button below!
