Making Their Points

A Backcourt Evolution

It will help Westbrook and his fellow combos that the responsibilities of an NBA point guard aren't necessarily as complicated as they used to be. "The wing positions have changed and in turn that's changed the point guard position," says an Eastern Conference team president, referring to new-school creators such as Wade, LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Tracy McGrady, all of whom led their teams in assists this season. "Your point guard doesn't have to be the only playmaker on the floor. Guards who aren't thought of as typical point guards can be successful now because they aren't called upon to create shots for the other four guys the way they used to be."

"How hard is it to be a point guard in the league?" asks another Eastern executive. "Nobody's picking up and pressuring you. You advance the ball uncontested to half-court, make a couple of dribbles, pass the ball and cut—and now you're into the motion offense. Today fewer teams are setting up each time and calling a play, because we're getting to be more and more like European teams."

As much as any coach might prefer to have a quarterback like Paul or Williams, the fact is that recent championship teams dating back to the Bulls' dynasty—with the exception of the Spurs (with Tony Parker) and the Pistons (Chauncey Billups)—have excelled without an elite point guard. "A lot of point guards in the NBA were scorers in college who are now bringing the ball up," says Walsh. "They're not able to make plays that Magic Johnson made, but they can find the open man and in the pick-and-roll they'll hit the right guy. All of the guys we're talking about in the draft will be able to do that."

The teams that pick them will be counting on it.