Rise of Point Guards, Fall of Power Forwards

by Jeff Clark on Aug 1, 2011 6:10 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

In a nicely done article on the rise of point guards in the NBA (with some praise of Rajon Rondo of course), I was struck by this section on the decline of some star power forwards.

Full Court Frame Work: Moving Forward | Hardwood Paroxysm

As we welcome this exceptional class of point guards, we say goodbye to the most talented group of power forwards the game has seen. Chris Webber is at the beginning of what proves to be a promising broadcast career, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are getting older, slower, and less effective with each passing season, and Rasheed Wallace has resigned himself to harassing referees in semi professional summer leagues. As Charles Barkley often reminds us, only one person is and will forever remain undefeated, "Father Time". The league will miss Duncan’s understated dominance, Garnett’s relentless drive, Webber’s uncanny vision, and Sheed’s exuberant personality.

You can argue all you want that these guys aren't dead yet (cue Monty Python skit), but the point remains that they are closer to done than not. And in fact, I'd maybe toss Dirk Nowitzki in this era - even though he's got a few years left and obviously hasn't lost much off his fastball.

Also see this thoughtful piece of future-fiction about Ray Allen's final game next season.

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not just fads, but action and reaction

The NBA hones its rules to make the game more fan friendly; the teams are constituted and their style of play set in order to maximize their advantage under the rules. So there’s a give and take. I think that there is something to be said that newer classes of players can tend to evolve together — such as a great generation of power forwards or point guards, but these waves of players ultimately play within a framework that creates advantages for particular types of players.

by Thruthelookingglass on Aug 1, 2011 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

I so can’t get into Basketball season right now and with the lockout going on…. can we talk about other things…..

by Ancient Red on Aug 1, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

It’s a guards game at the moment. The league no longer has great big men. But just as Garnett and Duncan prepare for their exits there will be other great/excellent big men to come. Probably not in the numbers we saw before. I know many power forwards in the league right now play like small forwards..preferring to shoot jump shots than to get bang inside. But there will be someone(s) to replace the Duncan’s and Garnett’s.

by tenkaistar on Aug 1, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions