Guards
Today's great NBA guards are stronger and faster than they have ever been. Whereas decades ago guards were mostly outside shooters, the guards of today are taller, but they're just as fast and as agile as their smaller predecessors. Some guards even rebound just as well as many forwards. The guards of today are expected to be a big part of the offense. They must score from anywhere in the offensive end, whether it is driving to the basket for a dunk or shooting a three pointer.
Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles
Seldom has a player coming out of high school had such an impact as a guard. A lot of fans don't remember that the Lakers did not draft Kobe Bryant; rather, he was drafted by Charlotte before Lakers general manager Jerry West quickly traded to get him. At just under 18.5 years old, Kobe was the youngest player to start an NBA game.
Kobe has an excellent outside shot, and at 6 feet 6 inches he can drive inside for layups and dunks. Though his 30-plus point average draws a lot of attention, he has also been named to the NBA's All-Defensive Team. He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal to lead the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Championships. In 2008, without Shaquille, Kobe was named NBA MVP and led his team to the NBA finals, where the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics.
FUN FACTS
Kobe Bryant entered the NBA straight out of high school and has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since the 1996–1997 season. He won three consecutive championships with the Lakers between 2000 and 2002. He is an excellent shooter, scoring 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
KOBE BRYANT
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
25.0 |
5.3 |
4.6 |
Chris Paul: New Orleans
Chris Paul went from nowhere to the center of the NBA universe in a hurry, emerging as one of the top guards in the league. Though his career scoring average is a relatively modest 18 points a game, he averaged more than 21 in the 2007–2008 season, a year in which he led his New Orleans Hornets deep into the playoffs and averaged 24.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
FUN FACTS
Though Chris plays for the Hornets in New Orleans, the team actually came from Charlotte. New Orleans used to be the home of the New Orleans Jazz, who moved to Utah but kept the mascot name.
The fleet-of-foot 6 footer can distribute the ball like a traditional point guard, but can also drive to the basket with his quick moves. Chris is known for his good court vision and basketball sense.
Family is important to Chris, and when his grandfather passed away unexpectedly during his senior year of high school, he scored 61 points on the day of his grandfather's funeral — one point for every year of his grandpa's life. If you don't see Chris on the basketball court, look for him in the bowling alley, where he is an elite-level amateur bowler.
CHRIS PAUL
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
18.2 |
4.5 |
9.5 |
Jason Kidd: Phoenix, New Jersey, Dallas
In the post Magic Johnson era, Jason Kidd is widely regarded as the best pure point guard in the league. At 6 feet 4 inches, Jason is tall by traditional point guard standards but passes with the best of them. He has averaged almost seven assists per game throughout his long career; during three seasons he averaged more than 10 assists per game. Jason has also been named to the NBA's All-Defensive Team, so he does not take a break or slack off when his team doesn't have the ball. In 2007–2008, Jason averaged nearly seven rebounds a game — almost unheard of for a point guard in the modern era.
JASON KIDD
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
14.2 |
6.7 |
9.3 |
Gilbert Arenas: Washington
One of many University of Arizona players to have a significant impact on the NBA, Gilbert Arenas has also emerged as the face of Washington's franchise. His nearly 23-points-per-game career average demonstrates what a consistent scorer the 6 foot 4 inch guard is. Gilbert is one of the league's most explosive offensive players and averages 5.5 assists per game as well. He is also very active in several charitable causes.
TIP - IN
Gilbert has one of the more unique nicknames. He is called “Hibachi,” which is a smallish Japanese grill that heats up in a hurry — just like Gilbert when he starts scoring many baskets in a row.
GILBERT ARENAS
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
22.8 |
4.2 |
5.5 |
Allen Iverson: Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit
The explosive, enigmatic offensive juggernaut has everything but an NBA title on his professional resume. Allen Iverson, nicknamed “The Answer,” has provided the ultimate question mark to NBA defenders. His deadly crossover move often freezes opponents in their shoes as he drives to the basket. A talented shooter, Allen has averaged more than 30 points a game five different times. He draws so many defenders that he is able to average more than six assists per game. Allen was a co-captain and leading scorer for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.
ALLEN IVERSON
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
27.7 |
3.8 |
6.3 |
Dwyane Wade, Miami
The Miami Heat were looking for prominence in the NBA, and pairing high-flying scoring guard Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal put them well on their way to winning their first NBA championship. Dwayne earned the NBA finals MVP award in 2006, the same year Sports Illustrated named him Sportsman of the Year.
FUN FACTS
The Detroit Pistons play in a building called the Palace of Auburn Hills and Allen became one of the “palace guards” when he joined the Pistons in 2008. The arena's name also works well for Allen's teammate, Tayshaun Prince, who is sometimes called “the Prince of the Palace.”
DWYANE WADE
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
23.9 |
4.8 |
6.5 |
