The forward movement of basketball has been exciting but has had it's share of casualties. One example of such collateral damage is the disappearance of the "true" point guard. When asked whether "true" PG's still exist in the NBA, 17-year veteran Andre Miller dug deep in his explanation.
"I like to say it still exists, but I mean, with the way AAU ball and the team basketball aspect... I have friends who have sons and daughters who play AAU basketball. And playing basketball the right way isn't in their best interest," Miller explained on the Forgotten Seasons podcast.
As the 1998 NCAA finalist clarified, parents want their kids to "look good" and get buckets rather than play team ball. The rave is about compiling scoring highlights, and disillusioned folks think it's a foolproof ticket to a college scholarship or NIL offers.
As a result, young basketball players, especially guards, fail to develop the skills needed to set the table and make others better. These attributes are just as good, if not better, than simply putting the ball through the hoop.
"Basic game is the killer"
In the context of "looking good" and the extinction of the "true" point guard, podcast hosts Jelani McCoy and Dylan Dreyfuss highlighted the importance of the 'basic game' or fundamentals. Miller was the poster boy of the throwback game, which is why he lasted 17 seasons in the league.
"The basic game is the killer," McCoy chimed in. "I don't care… A basic game leads to super athleticism. If you got no fundamental base, the basic game is actually the assassin or the killer. All the athleticism, all that trick bag s***, that come and go."
It may not look pretty at times, but the "old man game" gets the job done. As McCoy pointed out, players lose athleticism as the years pass, but the fundamentals are etched in the DNA. That's why fans don't see Julius Erving doing free-throw line dunks any longer, but Dr. J could still beat an average person in a shooting contest.
Related: “He’s never with the same girl twice. None of them over twenty-five” - Former Lakers head coach on Jerry Buss's promiscuous lifestyle
Full Circle
Miller lamented the "get buckets" trend now, but he's hopeful that traditional point guards will stage a comeback. The only problem is when.
"I think everything will come back full circle eventually, but it's hard to see when society thinks the way you can impact a game is just by putting the ball in the basket," admitted the Los Angeles native. "The only way the people, the professionals-- the Jelanis, the Dylans, and the Andres of the world… We know how it's supposed to be done."
Miller feels responsible for correcting the wrong, which will be a tall task. However, whether or not the "true" point guard makes a comeback, what truly matters is that fans learn to appreciate the value of an unselfish player committed to improving their teammates. After all, basketball is a team game at its core.
Related: "Everybody is shooting three-pointers" - Andre Miller thinks Curry changed the game more than anybody in the history of the NBA
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