Point Guard Project - Royal Ivey

Welcome to the 5th edition of the Point Guard Project.

Past participants:
PGP1 - John Lucas
PGP2 - Luke Ridnour
PGP3 - Jrue Holiday
PGP4 - Ricky Rubio

Today we are joined by Royal Ivey

The PGP questions:

1) Who did you watch play growing up? And whose game did you try to emulate?

2) What was your first memorable point guard match-up, when you first got into the league?

3) What is your definition for the job of a point guard?

4) How do you determine when to shoot vs. when to pass?

5) What is a typical workout for you like?

6) Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring point guards?

First off, I have to say that this is a real treat for me.
For those that don't know, not only was Royal my first one-on-one interview here at True Hoops but I actually played against him in High School during a charity event.

If you haven't heard the interview before, please check it out.
Not only one of my favorite pieces, but it's actually something I showed my high school players my last year as a coach in NYC for both educational and motivational purposes. It's been know to bake noodles.

Now for the numbers.
Royal is in his 9th year in the league. He was drafted in the second round of the '04 NBA draft.
He is listed as 6'4'' and 200 ibs, with career averages of 3.4 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. His career highs are 19 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds, respectively.

FYI, Royal Played 4 years for Texas. He is second all-time in school history for career starts, and helped lead Texas to the 2003 Final Four. He played prep school ball at Blair academy,  alongside Luo Deng. Of course he is from New York, and played at Benjamin Cardozo high school in Queens.


Mr. Ivey, welcome to the Point Guard Project:




Summary of Answers:

1) Grew up watching Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, and Mark Jackson. But of course that's because he's a New York guy!

2) First memorable point match-up: Steve Nash. He was in his prime. Real good and real fast with the ball. Just dissected him and his team. It was the first game of the season too. He was like "wow, this is what the league is about!"

3) Definition for the job of a point guard: Distribute the ball, be a catalyst like a quarterback. Get the offense started, run plays and make sure everyone is on the same page. A point guard is the head of the snake.

4) When to shoot vs. Pass: Most of the time - in his situation - it's pass first, trying to get everyone in the offense, and make sure the offense is running. Certain guys have the green light - shoot first then pass later. And that's what they do and that's what they get paid for. He is paid for running the offense and getting guys in the right position.

5) Typical workout: Coming off pick and rolls, screens, pin downs. You always handle the ball. Perhaps some in and out moves(?). Has a set workout and sticks with it.

6) For aspiring point guards: Keep working on your game. Point guard is the toughest position to play in the NBA. But it's the best because you always have the ball in your hands. Keep on honing your craft and work at it everyday.



A couple of things.

First off, that NYC point guard allure of going to Georgia tech is REAL.
I remember growing up and playing high school ball - it was just known that Georgia Tech recruited point guards from New York. It was just known about Kenny Anderson and Steph. And is was certainly a desire/dream to be the next to go there. In fact, when I was a freshman at LaGuardia High school, there was a senior across the street at Martin Luther King high school, Kevin Morris, who was the next point guard being recruited by Georgia Tech. And of course everyone wanted to see him play. I even went to a game to watch.

And to let you know that the whole NYC Georgia Tech point guard thing never really faded, when I played against Royal in the Wheel Chair Basketball Classic my senior year, Bobby Cremins - coach of Georgia Tech - was there. Because of the game, I ended up going to St. John's. But I remember, even years after, saying to my friends "man, if I would have dunked the ball I would have went to Georgia Tech." (perhaps a story for another day).

Ironically, going to St. John's I got to look at a picture of Mark Jackson every day in the locker room.

And Steph? You want to know about Steph??? My goodness, there isn't enough space in this post to write about all the Steph stories I heard while in high school (and even in college and after college). That was New York's guy (at least before he played for the Knicks). And forget about kids from Brooklyn, Steph was their main man. He was their end all be all.

Second, I truly think Royal's response about when to shoot vs pass is extremely informative.
I love how he makes it known, "in my position, I pass first......I get paid for running the offense and getting guys in position."

My, it's as if we're revisiting my first interview with him.
Knowing your role in a system and your strengths in order to be successful as a professional. In Royal's case, an NBA point guard. Yes, there are other point guards in the league (Rose & Westbrook maybe?) who best serve their team by attacking and scoring. But that's not everyone. A lot of players are role players. And if they want to keep their spot on a team (or in the league), they have to play a certain role and play it as best they can.

For sure, this is an honest answer (with a touch of humor) and is context dependent.
It may also be a little sobering. Having to play by the conventional rules of society and strictly adhere to the requirements of a job, just to keep that job and your lively hood. Where is the freedom? The free will? But for how many people is this the reality? And how many of those people don't have the benefits of playing in the NBA?

Perhaps many of us would prefer not to.
But again, that is a story for another day.



Much thanks to Royal Ivey for his time!
I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Point Guard Project!
Stay tuned for more!

Point Guard Project - Ricky Rubio

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Point Guard Project.

Our previous participants:

PGP1- John Lucas

PGP2 - Luke Ridnour

PGP3 - Jrue Holiday

This time we are joined by Ricky Rubio

The PGP questions:

1) Who did you watch play growing up? And whose game did you try to emulate?

2) What was your first memorable point guard match-up, when you first got into the league?

3) What is your definition for the job of a point guard?

4) How do you determine when to shoot vs. when to pass?

5) What is a typical workout for you like?

6) Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring point guards?

Ricky Rubio is a bit of a throw back, if you will. Yes, it's hard to call him a old school point guard, considering that he is only 22 years old and entering his 2nd year in the league. But there is no doubt that in contrast to many of the other scoring point guards that currently dominate the NBA, Ricky is more of a "true" point, a pass first point, that fits more the mold of a Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo.

Ricky was drafted by Minnesota with the 5th overall pick back in 2009 and is listed at 6'4'' and 180 ibs. Of course, Ricky is also from Spain and didn't play in the league until last year. It is an interesting question to ask - whether international point guards may fit the mold of "pure" point better than american point guards. But that is a debate for another day.

Last year, as a rookie, Ricky averaged 10.6 points per game, on 36% shooting to go along with 8.2 assists. Those stats speak volumes to his strengths, along with the fact that Minnesota - after years in the doldrums of the league - had a legit shot of making the playoffs. That is of course until Ricky's season was cut short by a torn ACL (which he is still in the processing of recovering from). Besides the playoffs, one also has to ask if Spain legitimately would have been able to beat the USA in the gold medal game this past Olympics had Rubio played.

FYI, Ricky started playing professional basketball when he was 14 years old. He led Spain to the FIBA-europe under 16 championship - by scoring 51 points to go along with 24 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 steals in the final game. He was also the youngest player ever, 17, to play in an olympic basketball gold medal game.

Mr Rubio, welcome to the Point guard Project:

Summary of answers:

1) Too young to watch the NBA growing up! It came on at 2-3 in the morning and his mother wanted him to go to sleep. Followed Elmer Bennett in Spain and his brother. When the "youtube" came on he watched Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams. (Elmer Bennett was a point guard at Notre Dame and only played a few years in the league. But he played 12 years in Spain, and a couple with Rubio).

2) First memorable point guard match-up: Derrick Rose

3) The job of a point guard: Be a coach on the court and has to run the team. Has to do the right decision and things. Has to be the brains of the team.

4) When to shoot vs. pass: It depends, shoot when team needs to score and no one wants to shoot. Pass if you see a free guy ready to shoot, go for him.

5) Typical workout: If you feel good you keep shooting, if you don't fell like its a good day you stop so as not to pick up bad habits. It depends on the day and how you feel.

6) Words of advice to aspiring point guards: Not applicable

These answers really are enlightening and speak volumes about age.
Both Rubio and Jrue Holiday are only 22 years old but it is truly amazing to hear how their response differ, especially when it comes to workouts/game preparation. For Rubio, no particular method to his workout? At least none that he let on. "If you feel good, keep shooting." How simplistic is that response? For sure it seems as if at this age he is relying more on "feel" for the game.

It will be interesting to see how Rubio develops with age. Imagine when he starts thinking the game in a methodical manner? How good will he be then? But then again, is it a good thing to think about the game methodically, especially when on the court? It's not like this is molecular biology.

Much thanks to Ricky Rubio for his time!
I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Point Guard Project!
Stay tuned for more!

Point Guard Project - Jrue Holiday

Welcome to the third edition of the Point Guard Project.

Our previous participants:
PGP1 - John Lucas 
PGP2 - Like Ridnour

This time we are joined by Jrue Holday

The PGP questions:

1) Who did you watch play growing up? And whose game did you try to emulate?

2) What was your first memorable point guard match-up, when you first got into the league?

3) What is your definition for the job of a point guard?

4) How do you determine when to shoot vs. when to pass?

5) What is a typical workout for you like?

6) Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring point guards?

To borrow somewhat from Charles Barkley, Jrue Holiday is becoming somewhat of  a "stud."
At 22 years of age, and entering his 4th year in the League, Jrue is currently averaging 18.3 points on  ~ 45% shooting to go along with 8.8 assists a game - by far his best numbers in his young career (12 & 5 his previous three years).

Listed at 6'4" and 205 ibs (which I can believe), this guy seems destined to become a top point guard in the league. Of course he has had his fair share of novice mistakes, but that just comes with the territory.

FYI, Jrue was a McDonald's all-american in high school, and only played one year at UCLA. He was drafted 17th overall in the 2009 NBA draft.

Mr. Holiday, welcome to the PGP:



Summary of answers:

1) Watched Magic Johnson  - I mean, he did grow up in California...and the doctor did tell him he would be 6'8"

2) First memorable match-up: Deron Williams. Knew he was really good - but a lot bigger and quicker than he thought he was.

3) Job of a point guard: Be a floor general, bring everything together. Get people shots when they need them, direct the DEFENSE (wow, defense) as well as the offense. Be a floor captain. Picking up and being aggressive on defense.

4) When to shoot vs. pass: If you have a open shot (simple enough). And if you're open all the time - then you should probably be scoring a lot. But, when a guy isn't having a good shooting night or a shooter hasn't touched the ball that many times - run a play to get them a open shot.

5) Workout: Passing is more so playing and having a feel for where your teammates will be. Shooting and ball handling is repetition. Different variety of shots - 1-2 pull-ups, coming off screens, & spot ups. During the off-season, make a 1000 shots a day, who knows how many it takes (2000-3000 shots). Repetition is about muscle memory, when you start hitting - it becomes natural.

6) For aspiring point guards: Keep working hard, don't be discouraged! Be the hardest working player on the court. Be able to do everything. Know where everybody is supposed to be, know where the defense is supposed to be. (Don't worry Jrue - it's not generic!).

Much thanks to Jrue Holiday for his time!
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Point Guard Project!
Stay tuned for more!

Point Guard Project - Luke Ridnour

Welcome to the second edition of the Point Guard Project.

Our previous participants:
PGP1 - John Lucas

This time we're joined by Luke Ridnour.

The PGP questions:


1) Who did you watch play growing up? And whose game did you try to emulate?

2) What was your first memorable point guard match-up, when you first got into the league?

3) What is your definition for the job of a point guard?

4) How do you determine when to shoot vs. when to pass?

5) What is a typical workout for you like?

6) Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring point guards?


Luke Ridnour is 31, in his 10th year in the league.
Listed as 6'2'' and 175 ibs, Luke was drafted 14th out of Oregon.

He has career averages of 9.9 points and 4.9 assists a game (almost 10 & 5!).
His career highs are 32 points, 15 assists, and 9 rebounds, respectively.
And FYI, Luke was a McDonald's All-American out of high school and PAC 10 player of the year his junior year in college.

Mr. Ridnour, welcome to the PGP:




Summary of answers:
1) Watched John Stockton & old footage of Pistol Pete Maravich

2) First memorable matchup: Mark Jackson. He was bigger and posted up......the whole game.

3) Job of a point guard: lead the team. Get guys in the right spot and get everyone in the best position possible to succeed.

4) When to shoot vs. pass: Depends on how the game is going. If guys are making shots, then just run the team. If guys aren't making shots, start the spark by making things happen.

5) Workout, during the season: not so much about the number of shots. Take game shots: pick and rolls, live shots, spot up threes. Pick and rolls and spot ups are almost the only shots he takes.

6) For aspiring point guards: It's a medium between being aggressive and leading the team. But always be aggressive - it makes things happen and opens things up for others. And learn how to dribble with both hands, "that's huge."

Much thanks to Luke Ridnour for his time!
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Point Guard Project!
Stay tuned for more!

Point Guard Project

Welcome.
It's a new season for True Hoops NY!
And in the spirit of scientific enquiry, what do you say if this season we do a little survey and analysis?

For your enjoyment, Here is what I drafted up:

Title: Point Guard Project (PGP)

Proposal: ask EVERY point guard in the league the SAME 6 questions.

Rationale: the point guard is perhaps the deepest position in the league, with a wealth of diversity in playing styles. Therefore, understanding what the conventional, as well as, non-canonical tendencies of point guards are is of value.

Hypothesis: Based on analysis of responses, a correlation can be made between answers and playing style. Therefore one can be used as a prediction model for the other.

Expected results: responses will vary according to an individual's game, with similarity corresponding to age, pedigree, and playing style.

Considerations:
Scoring points vs. pass first
Power vs finesse.
Age/years in the league
Athleticism vs. skill set
Starter vs. bench player.
Star vs. role player.

You get the...... point......right?
Well then, let's get to it!

Here are the 6 questions for the Point Guard Project:

1) Who did you watch play growing up? And whose game did you try to emulate?

2) What was your first memorable point guard match-up, when you first got into the league?

3) What is your definition for the job of a point guard?

4) How do you determine when to shoot vs. when to pass?

5) What is a typical workout for you like?

6) Do you have any words of advice for young aspiring point guards?


First up, John Lucas III, currently of the Toronto Raptors.

Lucas is turning 30 and entering his 5th year in the league.
He is generously listed at 5'11'' and 165 ibs, but not sure if I believe it.
Apparently LeBron doesn't either.

Undrafted out of Oklahoma, Lucas has career averages of 4.8 points and 1.8 assists a game. But, that's only on 11 minutes per game, in a total of 116 games.

However to give you an idea of the talent level in the NBA, while filling in for Derrick Rose last season, Lucas scored 24 points in a victory over the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat. He boasts career highs of 25 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds.

Not to mention those 60 points he scored against a Kevin Durant street ball summer league team a couple of summers ago.

Mr. Lucas, welcome to the PGP:




Elaborate, humorous, and enlightening.

I would say John Lucas' responses are important to guards who aren't blessed with height or tremendous athletic ability, and therefore need to scrap for everything.

Summary of John Lucas' answers:

1) Watched & emulated Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudamire, Mugsy Bogues, Chris Jackson (aka Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf) and Mark Jackson (yes, he's old enough for Mark Jackson).

2) Memorable match-up: Iverson and Kobe (whom he fouled).

3) A point guard should be smart, under control, and limit their turnovers

4) Shoot vs. Pass: If you don't have a shot, pass. If you're open you should be able to knock down the shot. Today, there are a lot of shoot first point guards. Knowing when to pass is not really something that can be taught. It's a feeling, based on the flow of the game, what the defense is giving you and their schemes.

5) Workout: make 1000 shots a day! Practice 14 hours a day! (What?!?!).
Constantly play - to simulate game situations.

6) Words of advice: never let nobody say you can't do it, have the will, the desire, have faith in yourself. Play for yourself

Much thanks to John Lucas III for his time!
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Point Guard Project!
Stay tuned for more!

Blast Off

Okay.
Maybe I was wrong.

At least wrong with regards to the winners and losers of last week's James Harden trade.

Initially, I thought Harden lost out for leaving OKC.
But after averaging 41 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7 assists in his first two games in Houston, perhaps this guy knew what he was doing all along.

And since we're talking numbers, we should mention that Harden turned down 55 million to stay a super sub/third option for a championship contending team over the next 4 years. Instead he opted for 80 million to have a chance to become a super star/first option and lead a basketball revival in Houston over the next 5. Hard to argue with the choice he made. Sometimes blazing your own trail (and being financially rewarded for it) has a certain appeal to it. Sometimes more (money, playing time, responsibility) is...... more.

Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Yes, the rockets are 2-0. But they beat Detroit and Atlanta. Not exactly NBA powerhouses.

Listen, I still think Houston will be hard pressed to make the playoffs this year. And I still stick by my statement that Houston is not going to the Finals anytime soon.

Or are they?

Here is where it gets interesting.
Let's say Harden does indeed become a superstar. And not just a scorer/ball hog, but one who truly makes his teammates better, who willingly comes off of screen and rolls, and passes as well as he shoots. Mind you, these are all qualities he already possesses. Does he then make Houston a destination of choice for another star player? With Harden being their only max contract, the Rockets still have money.

Here is food for thought:
What if the Lakers have a underperforming year and Dwight Howard isn't happy there?
Is it possible he can leave and sign with Houston in the summer?
Would Harden, Howard, and Lin make the Rockets a Finals contending team?
Is there anyone else the Rockets could pick up via free agency?

Am I making too much of this?
Maybe.
Am I drinking the Kool-aid?
Definitely.

Good enough to shoulder the load on his own?
Remember when I asked (rhetorically) if Harden was even as good as Kobe or Wade?
Well here is a non-rhetorical question for you:
At this stage in everyone's respective career, is Harden better than Kobe and Wade???

Yes that is a serious question.
Perhaps with a larger sample size we will have a serious answer.

And perhaps I should reconsider if OKC really was a winner after the Harden trade.
Don't get me wrong, I believe at the time (all of last week) they got fair value, all things considering. Harden was still a 6th man averaging 17.8 points per game.
And for that, OKC essentially got 4 players, which includes a proven scorer, a young talent, and two first round draft picks. And I stand by OKC still being a contender and will be able to find another player to replace what harden was giving them, at least statistically (chemistry wise may be a different story). Kevin Martin already seems to be fitting in nicely - 17 points, 3.5 assists in his first two games off the bench for OKC (shooting 43% for the field, 67% from three). With KD and Westbrook, perhaps those are numbers that will suffice for a third option.

And let's not forget, They did offer Harden near the max he could get for 4 years.
What else could they have done?

Well, here is where we have to consider the options.
I believe it was a mistake to take care of Serge Ibaka's contract before James Harden, and I felt that way when it happened last year. OKC should have locked up Harden first and then asked Ibaka to sacrifice. And there is no other way around it.

Also, you have to ask if they should have looked into maybe trading Perkins to make more monetary space for Harden as well. They still have Collison off the bench and probably could have picked up someone else. If they maintained their core of KD, Westbrook, and Harden (a-la Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli) they could always be able to find someone else.

Again, I don't know if this really would have mattered. OKC offered Harden near max for 4 years. If Harden was looking for 5 years only, I don't know if OKC  could have done anything to pull it off. But still, it's one thing to have KD and Westbrook locked up before you, it's another to have Perkins and Ibaka locked up before you.

Also, let me reconsider Jeremy lamb's situation.
Initially I thought he would benefit from going up against KD in practice everyday. But I was also assuming he would play. But if he doesn't get much burn (only 1 minute in OKC's first two games), I don't know how beneficial this situation will be for him. It's my belief that playing early and often is of huge value to young players. Of course, it's equally important to have good/great players and coaches around you to to instill correct fundamentals and work ethic as well.

I always use the Knicks as an example for this.
The year the Knicks passed up Ron Artest in the draft, everyone in New York was angry.
Not me.
I was happy for Artest. Had he been drafted by the Knicks and placed behind Allen Houston and Latrell Sprewell in the rotation - I think it would have been detrimental to his career. Then again, the Knicks organization is detrimental to most players careers, regardless.
As the latest example, look at Jordan Hill. No burn and considered a bust after being drafted lottery by the Knicks. And now a quality big, with playing time, for the Lakers.

I hope Lamb gets a chance to play and develop.


Now you want to talk about Winners?
How could I forget to mention that one of the biggest winners out of all of this is Jeremy Lin?
How about going from a guy with the franchise on his shoulders and LeBron expectations to a guy who can be a normal point guard, a supporting player, and can have a "good" year with out it being considered a failure. And by good I mean 14 points and 8 assists a game. Actually, I think that would be a great year for Lin and worth every bit of the 25 million the Rockets committed to him over three years (for your information, his salary, ~ 8 million a year, is on par with that of average starting point guards in the league).

But with Harden now the center of attention, maybe Lin can do better than average.
How about his stat line last night: 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

At the very least, all of this makes Houston a compelling team to watch this season.
And that's all they want right?
That's-all-they-want.

It will surely be interesting to see team beard go up against Miami, L.A., and of course the OKC kids.

By the way, what do you think KD and Westbrook are texting/tweeting to each other and even Harden right now?

Here's a guess for KD:
WOW.