The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are: guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and in informal games they are sometimes not used. They are grouped into two conceptual units: the backcourt and frontcourt.
Contents |
Backcourt (Guards)
Point guard
The point guard, also known as the "1", is the team's floor general and the best ballhandler on the team. The point guard can also be called the basketball team's "quarterback". Essentially the team's captain, the point guard's job is to make his teammates better and hand out assists. Prime examples are Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams and Derrick Rose. The point guard is typically the smallest player on the court. At the NBA level, most point guards are 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) to 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). Yet Earvin "Magic" Johnson from the Lakers became the NBA's tallest point guard standing 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m). There are two more in-depth classifications of point guards; the scoring PG and the passing PG or the "pure" PG. Examples of a scoring PG today would be Baron Davis, Devin Harris, and Stephon Marbury. These PGs often prefer to score than to record a high amount of assists. Allen Iverson is also considered a scoring PG although he is a shooting guard. On the other hand, "pure" PGs such as Jason Kidd, Jose Calderon and Steve Nash often record multiple assists a night, usually around 7-9.
Shooting guard
The shooting guard, also known as the "2", is usually the team's best shooter. A quality shooting guard should be able to consistently hit 20-foot/6-meter jump shots. Besides being able to shoot the ball, shooting guards must also have good ball-handling skills because they have to be able to create their own shot off the dribble. Finally, they should also be able to make good passes. The shooting guard needs to be able to take long-shots, around the 3-point line. This is because there will be much tighter defense inside the key; thus, the Shooting Guard needs to learn how to get free for his shots. Typical NBA shooting guards are 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) to 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). However, there are exceptions. For instance; Allen Iverson (one of the most acclaimed modern day shooting guards) is only 6 feet (1.83 m) tall.
For example, Kobe Bryant is arguably the NBA's current top shooting guard along with Dwyane Wade, Manu Ginobili and Tracy McGrady. Brandon Roy and Andre Iguodala are both rising shooting guards in the NBA. Andre Iguodala and Tracy McGrady are large enough that they also play in the small forward position as well. Perhaps the best example from NBA history is Michael Jordan. Other examples may be, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Ben Gordon.
Frontcourt (Forwards)
Small forward
The small forward, also known as the "3", is typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers. Thus, in the NBA, small forwards range from 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) to 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m). The small forward position is considered to be perhaps the most versatile of the main five basketball positions, due to the nature of its role, which is sometimes similar to that of a power forward, and other times more resembles the role of a shooting guard. The small forward and shooting guard positions are often interchangeable.
Small forwards have a variety of weapons, such as quickness and strength inside. One common thread between all kinds of small forwards is an ability to "get to the line", that is how opposing players called for committing shooting fouls against them, as fouls are frequently called on the defense when offensive players "take the ball hard" to the basket, that is, aggressively attempt post-up plays, lay-ups, or slam dunks. Therefore, accurate foul shooting is an imperative skill for small forwards, many of whom record a large portion of their points from the foul line. Small Forwards should be able to do a little bit of everything on the court. Examples include Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Hedo Turkoglu, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen and Trevor Ariza.
Power forward
Also known as the "4" position and abbreviated as "PF." The power forward plays a role similar to that of the center, down in the "post" or "low blocks." On offense, he can "post up," playing with his back to the basket, or set up for mid-range jump shots. On defense, he plays under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing power forward in man-to-man defense. Typical NBA power forwards are 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) to 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) tall, though some power forwards, like the 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) Charles Barkley, have compensated for a lack of height with exceptional bulk and strength. The greatest power forwards of all time include Bob Pettit, Tim Duncan and Karl Malone. Other examples include Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, the Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer, the Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett, the Phoenix Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire, the Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom, the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge, Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh, Minnesota Timberwolves' Al Jefferson and the New Orleans Hornets' David West.
Center
The center, also referred to as the "5" or the "pivot", usually plays near the baseline, close to the basket (referred to as the "bottom of the key" or the "low post"). The tallest player is most likely to be assigned to the position of center, with typical NBA centers being about 7 feet (2.13 m) in height, though Chuck Hayes filled this role at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), and NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld filled this role while being 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m). Some are much taller, like 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) Yao Ming. The center usually scores "down low, in the paint" (near the basket, in the key). Centers contribute to the team by using their physique and skill to score close to the basket, as well as gather both rebounds and "set the pick" in pick and roll plays. Some centers can be good perimeter shooters which can draw a good rebounding and shot-blocking center away from the basket.
Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, Shaquille O'Neal of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Greg Oden of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic are examples of current centers in the NBA. Bill Russell, Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain are considered all-time greats at the center position.[1]
References
- ^ "The NBA at 50". NBA. http://www.nba.com/history/players/50greatest.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-14.
See also
External links
- "Shooting Guard Tips" from HoopsU.com
- "Point Guard Tips" from HoopsU.com
- "How to Play Basketball Offense - Description of Team Positions" at guidetocoachingbasketball.com
- "Basketball players" at BBC Sport Academy
- "How Basketball Works" at howstuffworks.com
- Basketball Positions Explained at Youth-Basketball-Tips.com
- Basketball Shooting Skills And Shot Position
Basketball positions
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Guards | 1. Point Guard | Combo Guard (PG/SG) | ||
2. Shooting Guard | Swingman (SG/SF) | |||
Forwards | 3. Small Forward | Cornerman (PF/SF) | ||
4. Power Forward | Point Forward (PG/PF, PG/SF) | |||
Center | 5. Center | Forward-Center (PF/C) | ||
Captain | Head Coach | Referees and officials |