There isn't a must-have type of point guard
by Kayo (2020-06-08 09:52:07)

In reply to: Does there have to be a point?  posted by BabaGhanouj

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It only matters that the offense is organized and the team takes care of the ball. Generally that's the responsibility of the point guard. However, there are examples of forwards being the ones who have that responsibility. Even when there is the one primary ball handler who's the organizer-in-chief, there isn't a single type. Some shoot and score a lot while others seldom shoot.

Lindsay Allen is what I think most people would consider the prototype point guard. She kept the team organized, and she almost always got the ball to the right place on time.

I would argue that Kathryn Westbeld kept the team organized and the ball moving after the point guards' injuries during the national championship season, especially during the time that Marina Mabrey was trying to get a handle on the job.

PG is most noticeable against pressure from a top 10 team
by btd  (2020-06-08 22:05:28)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Yes, we did win a title sans a true PG. However, that same season we really struggled to get the ball up the court against the pressure UL brought -- and that was directly tied to not having a true PG and the top level ball handling skills that come with an elite PG.

We were able to overcome not having a PG because we had 5 WNBA draft picks starting. That's not something we can replicate annually.
Agree, it's easier to give the ball to
by BabaGhanouj  (2020-06-08 23:03:26)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

a Lindsay Allen or an Olivia Miles and just be done with it, but the job could be adequately done with a group of good ball handlers. And the team might be better overall for it. I also agree it invites a pressure defense, which also must be considered. There's a reason most teams want a traditional point guard, as you say. It's easier. But again, as individual players improve all around play and get bigger, I can also see teams, like some men's teams and the NBA, preferring to do without the traditional point guard.

As I look this over, I'm more or less just agreeing with you without adding anything new, which, I guess, is OK also.

Agree. You Can Add Ace To That List...
by dillon77  (2020-06-08 10:25:11)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Natalie Achonwa was a marvelous decision maker with the ball: she knew when to shoot the J, drive or distribute. Jewell Loyd called her "amazing" and "loved" playing with her.

When ND uses its Princeton offense, the high post position is often as important as the point guard. It's the center of all the moving spokes and the person playing it can make the determination as to where the ball goes: cutting guards, spot-up shooters, etc. The high post in the Princeton is often the flow-master. Ace and Kat, as Kayo, points out had a good handle on it.

And I'd argue that Shep, when she wasn't knocking people out of the lane, was a great distributor as well. Remember her kick-out pass to Marina in the Miss. State game? Crucial!

I wasn't overwhelmed with Mik Vaughn having her back to the basket out by the elbow and thought that greatly limited the mobility of the overall offense. Mik is best positioned down low, a la Bri Turner.
I wouldn't be surprised to see if Maddy Westbeld is tried at the high post.

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Also agree that a point does not have to be a Tiny Archibald or Big O.
Niele, Lindsay, Marina/Jackie all had variations on it that ultimately worked.

They've got to have a good feel for the game situation, what the opponent is doing, what her team can do best against it and then orchestrate it.
Sometimes it's pretty direct (hey, get it to Bri). Other times, it's part of the plan (Princeton, get it to the high post). Or work a pick and roll.

I expect Niele to have some ideas depending on personnel strengths, both individually and collectively. And in 2021, I expect Olivia Miles to be able to do just about any of them. That's why Niele wanted her so much.


Agree fully. Achonwa and Westbeld were great at “organizing”
by Homeboy73  (2020-06-08 20:29:54)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

the offense. Not critical that the organizer be the point guard. But it sure helps. See Lindsay Allen. What a calming influence for all four years.

That's the Double Dip, Right?
by dillon77  (2020-06-09 08:13:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

ND wasn't in the Princeton all the time (with Jewell around, you'd want to take advantage of her individual skills) and Lindsay was a perfect conductor.

That talent, which so often was kept low-key, is now kind of obvious, given her professional success playing in the WNBA and the Aussie League, where she was arguably one of the top 5 players this year, along with Kia Nurse and Bri Turner.