Guards vs. Postmen

[Widowmaker2k]

Okay, I'm still kind of new to all this basketball stuff, and was just wondering, what do you consider more important to a teams success, Guards, or Forwards/Centers? If you look at the lists of greatest players ever, most people place Jordan or Johnson very high up, but others will say Chamberlain, Russell, or even Shaq. To me, post scoring seems more reliable, and more difficult to defend, but clutch players seem to be guards. Also, are Small Forwards traditionally considered post players or perimeter players? Larry Bird also seems like he makes a case for greatest ever.

 

[Kings113]

Most small fowards are considered perimeter players/slashers, or both.

Josh Howard/Rashard Lewis/T-Mac/Grant Hill/Luol Deng fit that.

 

[BMiller52]

I think a better question for the poll is "what is better, perimeter players or post players"

 

[Londonking]

Well...my view goes like this:

We appreciate that basketball is a very physical game. The 'easy' buckets (high percentage execution) are layups.

To be the best you have to be able to dominate at both ends of the court.

So if you have a team that is dominant physically and run their offense by pounding inside, taking it to the hoop, drawing fouls and getting 'easy' buckets then your percentage chances of sucess - on a consistant basis (providing those plays can defend as well) ought to be greater than the team with a handfull of 'sharp-shooters'.

Yes, on their night the perimeter 3 point specialists can light it up, but will they get it done over 80+ games - probably not.

I still like to watch the rainbow threes though!

 

[SoupIsGood]

It used to be post players, every single time.

The game is changing, though. It very well may be guards that are more important. So I'm not sure how to vote really. A great one of either can still make you an awesome team however.

 

[bozzwell]

Small forward may become (at least until further adjustments of the NBA) the most important position. For all the talk of so called "small ball" or "Euroball" as played by Suns, these small lineups are usually not small at all but instead feature 2 or 3 small forwards playing different positions. Small forwards (the good ones at least) are usually the guys that can make their shots and who are big enough to mix it in in the post.

Our best lineups in the play off featured Ron Ron and Bonzi playing together. Neither magically became PF, we just played two swingman together.

Some of the best players in the league are SF's.

I guess my answer is "both".

 

[PixelPusher]

when i saw the title of the poll, I thought it was referring to prison guards and postal employees.

From now on, I will refer to Bonzi Wells as "Il Postino".

 

[SoupIsGood]

Small forward may become (at least until further adjustments of the NBA) the most important position. For all the talk of so called "small ball" or "Euroball" as played by Suns, these small lineups are usually not small at all but instead feature 2 or 3 small forwards playing different positions. Small forwards (the good ones at least) are usually the guys that can make their shots and who are big enough to mix it in in the post.

Great point!

I was thinking about this the other day.

Guys like Marion, Diaw, Josh Howard, and T. Prince have become crucial.

 

[AriesMar27]

with todays game i would think that "role players" are more important since i guess they could be either one.... look at the kobe/shaq lakers... they had an equally strong post and perimeter game with shaq and kobe, but it was the role players that made them so dangerous.... it was the timely 3 from the roleplayers that hurt the most...

shaq was shaq and kobe was kobe, but i was horry for 3 in 2002, fox, fisher, horry and the rest of their scrubs that helped them sweep the playoffs in 2001....

it was dallas' roleplayers that beat the spurs, howard and harris.... the suns roleplayers that beat the lakers and clippers, thomas and diaw....

but i could be wrong... eh.... i just like to rant...