Combo
In addition to postings from my partnas-in-crime, I read another posting that grabbed my attention this afternoon. By the way, we spit fire around here...
Slate Magazine's Dennis Hans wrote a very intriguing, albeit fantasy, post which bridged old and new school. Old school: Oscar Robertson, one the the all-time greats in basketball history. New school: LeBron James, the young star of the rebounded Cleveland Cavaliers. Hans proposed that in the current NBA, it would be a nearly impossible task to accomplish what the Big O had done in the 1961-62 season, where he averaged a triple-double for the entire season. The only player, in his view, that could brush that record would be James. Now, you can see for yourself if you agree.
However, this post is not going to delve into Hans' thought, though I would be intrigued to see if it could really happen. I do want to write about this bridge of old school and new school. And how some folks refuse to walk across it.
A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to have read Robertson's autobiography, which while towards the end sounded slightly bitter because of the state of the game now, reminded me of a belief about sports. The arguments don't change much. For the past few years, there has been an undercurrent of backlash against several players in the NBA. There has been a widely held belief that there are few "pure" point guards and an increase of "combo" guards. "Experts" believe that successful college guards making the move to the NBA have a problem: are they point guards who can shoot or shooting guards that can pass? Though some of the same can be said for the forward position, no debate is as hot in draft rooms as with the guards.
Allen Iverson, Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury bring about some of this confusion (or to be blunt, hating). As said, though, this debate is nothing new. After all, it was really the comparison between Robertson and Hall-of-Fame guard Bob Cousy that brought this on.
When Robertson was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (your Sacramento Kings of today), Bob Cousy was his biggest critic. Robertson's size at 6'5" and 220 made him a bull against opposing point and shooting guards trying to defend him. On defense himself, players were forced to think a little more about how to move around him. Should I use quickness? Damn, he just stole the ball from me!... Should I move to the outside? I can't see over him!... Cousy was in his final season, and his farewell tour was riddled with comments about Oscar, very few positive. Cousy was in the mold of the "pure" point guard. Pass, pass, pass... consider taking the shot... pass some more... take the shot... pass. He was more crafty than gifted, but he is one of the most successful players in history. Having Bill Russell at center and Red Aurebach as coach helped, too.
Robertson played both guard positions in his first few seasons, mostly because the team's talent was lacking and management was inconsistent. In face-to-face contest, Robertson won those battles, but the Celtics usually won the war. As time passed and Cousy stepped back from the game, he began to not only respect Oscar's game, but respect the revolution. No longer were shooting duties resting with the shooting guard, small forward and center (power forwards rebounded and played enforcer for the centers). Now, defenses had to truly think of how to play against this "combo" guard.
Fast forward to this season where Stephon Marbury declared himself the best point guard in the NBA. As expected, he was scoffed at by pretty much everyone. Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News decided to interject himself by interviewing Cousy a day later. Cousy, as does most, feels that this distinction goes to a healthy Jason Kidd. Kidd, being a creator with the pass, quick hands-wise and a strong team defender, follows this mold of "purity".
Though his game has never changed from Dallas to Phoenix to New Jersey, it is only because of the Nets' recent rise that has prompted many to anoint him the best PG and purest in the game. Other point guards that go into this mold for some are Mike Bibby and Andre Miller. However, Cousy did say that though Marbury is a "combo", he is a future Hall-of-Famer.
Basketball fans stand on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to "combo" players. Most have a negative view because the player that leads the offense has the skill to shoot/score(except _ason Kidd). Negative views also stem from the idea of "pure". However, many appreciate the idea of the floor general having the skills to have more than six points plus six assists. Robertson was as much of an evolution of guard play as Wilt Chamberlain was for centers. A new body for a new game. What's exactly the problem with that? There should be no debate. "Pure" point guards work with certain teams as "combos" with others. The only question at the end of the day is who do they have to face for the next game.
In the fourth quarter, with 5 seconds left, who would you want with the ball? If the best scorer is your center, give it to him/her where (s)he needs it. If your best shooter is your forward, give him/her the wings to make his/her magic. If your best scorer or shooter happens to be 6'2" and already has eight assists, let the fun begin.
Slate Magazine's Dennis Hans wrote a very intriguing, albeit fantasy, post which bridged old and new school. Old school: Oscar Robertson, one the the all-time greats in basketball history. New school: LeBron James, the young star of the rebounded Cleveland Cavaliers. Hans proposed that in the current NBA, it would be a nearly impossible task to accomplish what the Big O had done in the 1961-62 season, where he averaged a triple-double for the entire season. The only player, in his view, that could brush that record would be James. Now, you can see for yourself if you agree.
However, this post is not going to delve into Hans' thought, though I would be intrigued to see if it could really happen. I do want to write about this bridge of old school and new school. And how some folks refuse to walk across it.
A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to have read Robertson's autobiography, which while towards the end sounded slightly bitter because of the state of the game now, reminded me of a belief about sports. The arguments don't change much. For the past few years, there has been an undercurrent of backlash against several players in the NBA. There has been a widely held belief that there are few "pure" point guards and an increase of "combo" guards. "Experts" believe that successful college guards making the move to the NBA have a problem: are they point guards who can shoot or shooting guards that can pass? Though some of the same can be said for the forward position, no debate is as hot in draft rooms as with the guards.
Allen Iverson, Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury bring about some of this confusion (or to be blunt, hating). As said, though, this debate is nothing new. After all, it was really the comparison between Robertson and Hall-of-Fame guard Bob Cousy that brought this on.
When Robertson was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (your Sacramento Kings of today), Bob Cousy was his biggest critic. Robertson's size at 6'5" and 220 made him a bull against opposing point and shooting guards trying to defend him. On defense himself, players were forced to think a little more about how to move around him. Should I use quickness? Damn, he just stole the ball from me!... Should I move to the outside? I can't see over him!... Cousy was in his final season, and his farewell tour was riddled with comments about Oscar, very few positive. Cousy was in the mold of the "pure" point guard. Pass, pass, pass... consider taking the shot... pass some more... take the shot... pass. He was more crafty than gifted, but he is one of the most successful players in history. Having Bill Russell at center and Red Aurebach as coach helped, too.
Robertson played both guard positions in his first few seasons, mostly because the team's talent was lacking and management was inconsistent. In face-to-face contest, Robertson won those battles, but the Celtics usually won the war. As time passed and Cousy stepped back from the game, he began to not only respect Oscar's game, but respect the revolution. No longer were shooting duties resting with the shooting guard, small forward and center (power forwards rebounded and played enforcer for the centers). Now, defenses had to truly think of how to play against this "combo" guard.
Fast forward to this season where Stephon Marbury declared himself the best point guard in the NBA. As expected, he was scoffed at by pretty much everyone. Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News decided to interject himself by interviewing Cousy a day later. Cousy, as does most, feels that this distinction goes to a healthy Jason Kidd. Kidd, being a creator with the pass, quick hands-wise and a strong team defender, follows this mold of "purity".
Though his game has never changed from Dallas to Phoenix to New Jersey, it is only because of the Nets' recent rise that has prompted many to anoint him the best PG and purest in the game. Other point guards that go into this mold for some are Mike Bibby and Andre Miller. However, Cousy did say that though Marbury is a "combo", he is a future Hall-of-Famer.
Basketball fans stand on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to "combo" players. Most have a negative view because the player that leads the offense has the skill to shoot/score(except _ason Kidd). Negative views also stem from the idea of "pure". However, many appreciate the idea of the floor general having the skills to have more than six points plus six assists. Robertson was as much of an evolution of guard play as Wilt Chamberlain was for centers. A new body for a new game. What's exactly the problem with that? There should be no debate. "Pure" point guards work with certain teams as "combos" with others. The only question at the end of the day is who do they have to face for the next game.
In the fourth quarter, with 5 seconds left, who would you want with the ball? If the best scorer is your center, give it to him/her where (s)he needs it. If your best shooter is your forward, give him/her the wings to make his/her magic. If your best scorer or shooter happens to be 6'2" and already has eight assists, let the fun begin.
posted by Jason Clinkscales @ 4:16 PM
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