 |
 |
|
| | Wednesday, March 29 | |||||
So who is the winner? In the poll you voted for Steve Francis, followed by Williams and Andre Miller of the Cavs. But there were also plenty of e-mails about Mike Bibby and Baron Davis. Don't forget to vote in this week's Decision 2000 topic on European players. Here is the poll from last week and some of the better comments below.
Chucky Atkins is definitely one of the best young point guards in the league. The only one that is ahead of him is Steve Francis. Unlike most of these other guys, turning the ball over is a rarity for Chucky. He isn't flashy like a lot of these other guys but he gets the job done just like they do. When it comes down to the end of the game he is Mr. Fourth Quarter. He has saved the Magic numerous times this season with driving layups or pull up jump shots off the dribble. The most amazing part is you look at his stats and they are almost just as good as most of the other young point guards -- yet he doesn't even start! Just think about what this guy could do in a starting position.
Best point guard? Two words: Eric Snow. He's the most professional of all mentioned, and you might as well call him "Mr. Clutch" for his late-game heroics. No doubt!!
Vonteego Cummings is the point guard of the future. All he needs is a chance to start. Yes, he is somewhat raw, but that will come with a year or two learning from Mookie Blaylock. Golden State has finally started to turn the corner on success. With V and Hughes in the backcourt and Jamison and Dampier up front, they are building a good young nucleus.
Andre Miller -- John Stockton with athletic ability? He is by far the best point guard (Francis is an undersized two). Andre showed his ability on the international scene last summer and hasn't disappointed this season. Look at the stats in the games he has started. He's for real. Miller has a very bright future.
Since I am a Hornets fan, my opinion is slightly biased, but Baron Davis is by far the best young point guard. Competing with David Wesley is tough for a starting spot, and just when you're ready to start Baron, David puts up 26 points and nine assists. I saw Baron play 10 minutes in a game and he had 10 points and like six assists, and if that's not taking advantage of a little playing time, I don't know what is. I think by at least midway through next season Baron will start and play major minutes. Paul Silas knows the game. I'm not dreaming of Wesley's demise, but change is imminent.
I think Steve Francis is the best young point guard hands down. However, Jason Williams is doing amazing things out in Sacramento. In fact, despite the turnovers and defense, his ability to find the open man and excite the crowd make him a very quality second-year point guard. Imagine what a little experience will do for him. Also, Andre Miller is playing very good ball for a rookie. Where is he from anyway?
I don't know if it's Jason Terry or Andre Miller, but I'm SURE it's not Jason Williams. I like to watch Williams as much as the next person and he is definitely one of the most entertaining players in the NBA -- but he does NOT help his team win like other PGs do. It's not a coincidence that the Kings seem to do better when Darrick Martin or Jon Barry are on the floor. That said, I do hope Williams works on his defense and shot selection. He definitely has the potential to become a star.
Your remarks regarding Jason Williams as a candidate for the best young point guard are unfair and unwarranted. Just because you guys love the Lakers and are anti-Kings is no reason to discriminate against the most talented point guard in the league. Granted, Williams takes bad shots and has too many turnovers, but the guy saved the league. In the post-Jordan era, Williams came in and completely transformed the league, as well as the Kings as an organization. The game today is much more exciting, and we see players trying things they never would have had Williams not been around. Why not mention his assists per game totals, which are well within the top-10 of the league, and his steals, a category where he was the top rookie last year. For every other player, you only mention their high points, yet you point solely to Williams downfalls. The guy only played two years of college ball, and granted is inexperienced. However, the Kings are winning now, they weren't winning before, and that is the bottom line.
[Editor's note: Williams is currently No. 11 in the league in assists.]
I think that this crop of young point guards has a lot of potential, but the one who intrigues me the most is Andre Miller. He is the total package when it comes to a point guard: He makes his teammates better, creates his own shot when it is there or the rest of the offense is in need of a scoring boost, and plays great defense. Top that off with more than five rebounds a game, and you've got a perfect point guard. His starting numbers are very impressive, and he's fundamentally sound. His days in Utah prove that he's not only loyal, but a winner, too.
Andre Miller will probably be the best point guard of this group. However, as a Magic fan I have to thank you for considering Chucky Atkins. It is about time he starts getting some respect. Thanks.
Mike Bibby has the most assists and second-most points in this group despite playing in the worst team in this group. On the other hand, he probably gets more minutes, except for Francis. Bibby will never be a Payton in terms of scoring but he's the next Stockton in assists as soon as he has better teammates.
I think Anthony Carter is one of the best young point guards in the NBA right now. When Tim Hardaway missed more than 20 games early in the season, Carter stepped up and took control. For a rookie that is a huge responsibility to take in his first season. He will continue to improve and I think that when Hardaway is gone, AC will be Miami's future point guard.
The only reason that Francis and Williams are leading this poll is because they are flashy and fun to watch. But when it comes right down to the fundamentals, Bibby and Miller are the true point guards of the future. Of course, Williams is fun to watch, but have you ever noticed he gets benched at the end of close games? He is way too wild and crazy with the ball and the coach can't trust him with the ball at crucial times in the game. And about Francis, he's a two-guard, not a point guard. Miller and Bibby are the point guards here.
On Jason Williams: Being the best at a position is more than following in the footsteps of others, it's about redefining the original qualities of the position. Williams does the things a point guard should do -- set the pace, distribute and score when needed -- and does it in the way that the point guards of the future will do it. You can teach decision making and defense -- the things he is most criticized for -- but he has the fire and creativity that other young PGs can't match.
I'm not saying who the best point guard is, but I do want to say who isn't: Jason Williams. I am a big Kings fan, but I do believe all the hype has put a road block in front of his development. I'm writing in hopes that he reads this: Practice on the defense, three-point shots, making the simple pass and taking those layups instead of dishing off every single time. Who knows you may even make it to the free throw line! As far as potential goes, then it's definitely Jason Williams! I'm also impressed with Stevie Francis, but he's too offensive-oriented.
I voted for Andre Miller because he's playing some very
pretty basketball this year, and he's really smart for a
young guy. But Baron is my pick for the future. I went to
high school with this guy, and I've never seen such pure
talent in all my life. He's a smart guy and he seems to be
learning a lot this year. He and Eddie Jones would be an
awesome backcourt, but Eddie's leaving Charlotte. Oh well.
Maybe that's for the best, cause Eddie tends to get the
assists from the two-guard position. If Baron's knees are good, he could
win the dunk contest next year, seeing as how Vince's dunks
were nothing new anyhow.
I think Baron Davis is the point guard of the future. This guy has unbelievable talent. I think the way the Hornets are bringing him along will really allow him to develop into one of the great players in this league. David Wesley better watch out, because before long Baron is gonna be jumping over his head into the starting role.
Francis is the easy pick because of his scoring, but I'd want Andre Miller to run my team. He's got the potential to be a great point guard in the Jason Kidd mold, and maybe even a better scorer. With him you get rebounds and post-up skills on offense and defense to go along with the regular point guard traits. As a floor leader it's a tough call between him and Bibby but the other skills he brings to the table would have him No. 1 on my list.
Steve Francis is my pick for the best young point guard. Coming into this season I really doubted that he could thrive in the NBA. But as the season has progressed I am surprised about how well he has done. I do think that in the future he will be more like an Iverson and be switched to the two-spot because he plays like that. But as long as he is still a PG he is my pick.
I think Mike Bibby will be the best selection out of these young stars. He already has many big assist games under his belt and he has shown that he could pick it up in scoring also. Look for him to blossom next year with Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Michael Dickerson. Bibby will be leading the charge. The Grizzlies are a playoff team of the future, and that's what being the point guard is: Getting your team wins.
| ALSO SEE NBA Decision 2000: European flavor NBA Decision 2000: Young point guards NBA Decision 2000 Results: Lunch-pail players NBA Decision 2000: Lunch-pail player NBA Decision 2000 Results: Defenders NBA Decision 2000: Defenders NBA Decision 2000 Results: It's Shaq | |||||
