During the summer, the Suns transferred Chris Paul against Bradley Bealthen they got rid of Cameron Payneand therefore found themselves without an experienced playmaker in their squad.
Not a problem for the leaders, who have certainly just recovered Théo Maledon, but who have not looked for a conductor to set their “Big Three” to music, Booker – Beal – Durant. This is because, as various coaches and players explain at ESPNthe evolution in the NBA tends to the disappearance of the “General of the floors”.
No need for a quarterback anymore?
“We are no longer necessarily looking for a quarterback”recognizes Steve Clifford, coach of the Charlotte Hornets. “We’re looking for a guy who can make shots and create shots.”
The best passing leaders in the NBA (Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Fred VanVleet, LaMelo Ball, James Harden, Damian Lillard, etc.) are also scorers.
“We can't even use the term 'real point guard' anymore. Unless you're our age, you don't even know what that means.” explains Chauncey Billups. “Today, we're talking about a 'lead guard' (basically a dominant back), that is to say a player who can do several things. It's changed so much. »
An observation confirmed by Jason Kidd.
“Setting the table in the NBA is different today”recognizes the Mavs coach, second best passer in history. “In this league you look at the playmakers and they can all score. Some still pass, but the point guard position has changed. Playmakers are now scorers.”
As the Texan coach details, it is linked to the evolution of the game, with the gradual erasure of low post play. Now, attacks very often start from the pick-and-roll, and for this to be truly effective, the ball carrier also needs to be a threat in terms of shooting.
Agree to give players freedom
James Harden is well placed to understand this, having started his career as a fullback before becoming a playmaker under Mike D'Antoni in Houston. “Why use ten seconds on the clock, or maybe more, when we're going to give him the ball anyway? » details the latter, on its logic at the time.
“If you score again and again, the defense has to adapt to you”develops “The Beard”. “Instead of setting up screens everywhere, we have 17 seconds to create something and move the ball, instead of running around to set up a system, with guys going all over the place… It's simpler, smoother, faster. A lot of coaches don't like it, because they can't control it or they feel like they're not coaching. But in a sense, they do it because when you have a player like that, you have to give him freedom, and let him dictate the game.”
And that's what the Suns are doing with Devin Booker, even if the latter admits that he is still learning.
” I am still learning. I'm still learning » he admits like this. “I have already played [meneur de jeu] in sequences, but I was never in that position for the entire duration of the match. But it’s fun to learn a new aspect of the game.” The success of Phoenix’s “Big Three” also depends on it.
