With point guards or players in general I try to tell them the less fluff as possible in your offensive game the better. Yeah its great to watch Kobe or Kevin Durant dominate the shot clock and over dribble on a possession with multiple spins and moves to pull up for a 25 foot jumper for a make. But for the average player those are not the moves that you want to emulate. Be direct and simple in your game. For point guards especially those of you who are more scorers than distributors stop dominating the ball. If you have an opportunity to score who am I to tell you not to take it. What I am saying is make your drive in 2-3 dribbles and always try to go towards the basket. Our game is filled with guards who dribble, dribble, and dribble while the other four players are watching them twiddling their thumbs.
Our game is filled with a majority of point guards that are combo guards or scorers. That is fine I can live with it, but that guard needs to be able to force two defenders to guard them on drives and kick to open teammates. To be a dominant guard you need to be able to penetrate in the lane to make a lay for themselves or force help defenders to step up and pass through the holes of the defense to find open players. I think when you watch great point guards play you will see for the majority of their possessions they are direct with their drives. Playing this way forces defenses to rotate and switch. Movement is good for you individually as well as in the team concept.
Tony Parker’s performance was a great one last night. He scored 42 points on 16-29 shooting, handing out 9 assists, with 2 steals, and a block. What was great about his game last night was first off he won, secondly he got to the line 11 times, and last but not least he handed out 9 assists. Notice on the film most of his makes were in the paint and in the mid range. He didn’t jack up three point shot after three point shot. Parker scored his points in the confines of his team’s offense. He did take a lot of shots, but as you can see in the video Parker made shore he found open teammates for open shots. As a point guard Tony controls the game. He can score from mid range plus he’s one of the best finishing guards in the league. He’s not an above the rim athlete, or a three point threat but knows how to have an effect on the game from inside the three point line. On top of being a great scorer, Tony can read defenders as well as any other player in the league. The ability to penetrate the teeth of the defense and draw help defenders allows him to pick defenses apart and find open shooters, cutters, and post players. It also doesn’t hurt playing for one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA in Greg Popovich as well as one of the best big men to ever play in Tim Duncan.
What makes Tony such a great player and the Spurs such a great team is that they have a system and a culture. Biggest part about great teams besides having talent is that all players have roles and they all stay within those roles. Coach Popovich is very direct with his players and doesn’t beat around the bush at all. He holds his team accountable without having to scream and over coach on every play. He allows his team to play through mistakes as long as they play hard and play within their roles.
All guards and coaches that work with guards should watch this highlight on Parker. Hope you enjoy it
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