Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

[King_B_Mack]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

These agenda laden threads man. Hilarious. Why even start this discussion at this time? First post came on the fourth? So on Monday morning after the Celtics get a win Sunday over the Heat and Rondo drops 15 and 15 we needed THIS disucssion? Of course people are going to go prisoner of the moment for the best PG left in the playoffs.

Rondo is good, no question about it. However he still is not better than Paul or Williams. Nobody sets up they're teammates better? Have people been watching Chris Paul games with their eyes closed or something?

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

These agenda laden threads man. Hilarious. Why even start this discussion at this time? First post came on the fourth? So on Monday morning after the Celtics get a win Sunday over the Heat and Rondo drops 15 and 15 we needed THIS disucssion? Of course people are going to go prisoner of the moment for the best PG left in the playoffs.

Rondo is good, no question about it. However he still is not better than Paul or Williams. Nobody sets up they're teammates better? Have people been watching Chris Paul games with their eyes closed or something?

Paul and Nash would definitely have a strong case as far setting teammates up.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

Paul is the better player without question. I guess I'm missing something but Rondo is the better defensive player of the two though. Paul is the best PG in the NBA doesn't mean he does everything better than Rondo.

/homer glasses

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Paul is the better player without question. I guess I'm missing something but Rondo is the better defensive player of the two though. Paul is the best PG in the NBA doesn't mean he does everything better than Rondo.

/homer glasses

Both seem to have the philosophy of just going for steals and Paul racks up more of them.

[wwharton]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

Both seem to have the philosophy of just going for steals and Paul racks up more of them.

This pretty much sums it up. Neither are THAT great defensively, honestly... but I also think many judge PG defense incorrectly. With today's rules it's hard for any PG to really be a "shut down" defensive player, and especially with the number of quick and talented PGs in the league right now that have to be defended. A good defensive PG is really hard to measure bc they have to be part of a good defensive team. If the guys behind them don't do their jobs well then the way a PG should be playing defense has to change dramatically. Both of these guys are good at what they do defensively... which is get steals.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

Yeah, my fault for some reason I wasn't aware Paul was so high in the Steal Cat./Stat

[FedEx227]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

This pretty much sums it up. Neither are THAT great defensively, honestly... but I also think many judge PG defense incorrectly. With today's rules it's hard for any PG to really be a "shut down" defensive player, and especially with the number of quick and talented PGs in the league right now that have to be defended. A good defensive PG is really hard to measure bc they have to be part of a good defensive team. If the guys behind them don't do their jobs well then the way a PG should be playing defense has to change dramatically. Both of these guys are good at what they do defensively... which is get steals.

The elimination of the handcheck has made in nearly impossible to be an elite defensive point guard, it's just not possible.

[Jukeman]

Rondo does way more defensively than get steals.


Rondo is a FS on Defense and a QB on offense.

He communicate well, rotates, fights off screens and has great awareness for the ball on defense.

Yes he gets steal (interceptions) and no he is not the Dennis Johnson's of on ball defense (mainly because he gambles for steals) but when he's locked on, he can hold his own against a Wade or LeBron...

PS. This post has nothing to do with Chris Paul.

[mKoz26]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

Rondo does way more defensively than get steals.


Rondo is a FS on Defense and a QB on offense.

He communicate well, rotates, fights off screens and has great awareness for the ball on defense.

Yes he gets steal (interceptions) and no he is not the Dennis Johnson's of on ball defense (mainly because he gambles for steals) but when he's locked on, he can hold his own against a Wade or LeBron...

PS. This post has nothing to do with Chris Paul.

Rondo is nowhere near as good as LeBron defensively. "Communicates well" seems completely assumed and he doesn't usually fight off screens. He actually tends to lazily go over screens and hope for a switch. Especially when he's guarding a great penetrator (e.g. Wade, Rose, etc.). He does have excellent ball awareness, though, and he has quick hands and long arms.

LeBron is slightly slower than Rondo, but has superior size. He also anticipates better and doesn't need to or try to gamble for his steals. He can guard any position better than Rondo.

(The following isn't directed at you, Jukeman)

Chris Paul stays in front of his man better than any other PG in the league. He's still quick enough to cut off a Rondo or a Rose. He also has the quick hands on defense and anticipates well. He draws offensive fouls better than any other PG I can think of, even if it is by flopping.

Paul is a much more effective defender.

[wwharton]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

Rondo is nowhere near as good as LeBron defensively. "Communicates well" seems completely assumed and he doesn't usually fight off screens. He actually tends to lazily go over screens and hope for a switch. Especially when he's guarding a great penetrator (e.g. Wade, Rose, etc.). He does have excellent ball awareness, though, and he has quick hands and long arms.

LeBron is slightly slower than Rondo, but has superior size. He also anticipates better and doesn't need to or try to gamble for his steals. He can guard any position better than Rondo.

(The following isn't directed at you, Jukeman)

Chris Paul stays in front of his man better than any other PG in the league. He's still quick enough to cut off a Rondo or a Rose. He also has the quick hands on defense and anticipates well. He draws offensive fouls better than any other PG I can think of, even if it is by flopping.

Paul is a much more effective defender.

I was about to say, lol. Rondo was the one who assumed the switch when James hit that late game 3 pointer before the Boston win in OT. There are also clips on here where we're talking about the PnR where you see Rondo get hit with a pick and just kind of stand there. A lot of his gambles are fine bc KG is playing a one man zone, and is just an amazing all around defender behind him in general. It's possible Rondo would adjust his style a bit were that not the case, but he's really not as good of a defender as some think. One of the best defensive PGs in the league, but still not as good as some think.

[Jukeman]

That post also had nothing to do with LeBron.

And nothing in there that also says he never get caught in screens...

And who in this thread made him out to be a super defender?

I can quote someone claiming that he (and Paul) only get steals however.

Steals are the least important aspect of playing defense.

[mKoz26]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

That post also had nothing to do with LeBron.

Really? You said he could hold his own against Wade or LeBron.

And nothing in there that also says he never get caught in screens...

He gets caught in screens frequently. He is not great at fighting them off.

And who in this thread made him out to be a super defender?

Anybody who says he's better than Chris Paul, since Chris Paul is considered to be the best defensive PG in the league by most.

I can quote someone claiming that he (and Paul) only get steals however.

I think YTG was exaggerating on purpose.

Steals are the least important aspect of playing defense.

Ehh... not really true, but yes, they're overvalued.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

So then this goes back to wwharton's question(I think): What makes a PG a GREAT defender? If it's just drawing charges(Flopping in some cases)then the bar has been lowered IMO.

The FS Comparison is a bad one because they're usually just playing CF for the most part and making sure nothing gets behind them aka going for Interceptions(Steals in this case).

[mKoz26]

Re: Which point guard do you choose to build your team around?

So then this goes back to wwharton's question(I think): What makes a PG a GREAT defender? If it's just drawing charges(Flopping in some cases)then the bar has been lowered IMO.

C'mon Pack, you know that's not what I said. Go back and read my post.

Chris Paul stays in front of his man better than any other PG in the league. He's still quick enough to cut off a Rondo or a Rose. He also has the quick hands on defense and anticipates well. He draws offensive fouls better than any other PG I can think of, even if it is by flopping.

Paul is a much more effective defender.

On-ball defense for perimeter players is and always will be about cutting off your man, beating him to spots, and contesting shots. Forcing turnovers is a bonus. A PG should also play smart P&R defense because it's so prevalent in the NBA.

Off-ball depends on the player being guarded, but can range from denying the ball to running off screens and staying close to your man.

[Jukeman]

Really? You said he could hold his own against Wade or LeBron.

Yea defending them, you started comparing his defensive abilities to James...

He gets caught in screens frequently. He is not great at fighting them off.

I said nothing about him being great at it...I said he does fight off screens whether it's getting off of them or avoiding them all together. Yes him gets hit with screens but he also does a great job recovery from it hence the phrase "fight off scenes"

Anybody who says he's better than Chris Paul, since Chris Paul is considered to be the best defensive PG in the league by most.

Alrighty then...

I think YTG was exaggerating on purpose.

Overreaction Sports I guess...

Ehh... not really true, but yes, they're overvalued.

Fair enough but you got my point.

Bolded.....

And Pack, The FS comparison was more towards him communicating with his teammates. He also sags off of his defender (when not guarding the PG as he often doesn't btw) playing somewhat of a zone. He's not the last line of defense in a sense what the FS actually is.