In today's NBA what is the difference between a SG and a SF?

[GQ Hot Dog]

What are characteristics of a SG vs. a SF and how are the two positions different? Who would you say is the definition of one vs. the other?

[Luigi]

http://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/all/all/all/all/

There is a lot of confusion over this, but their sizes are clearly different. You don't wanna be stuck guarding someone with a 6 inch higher release than you.

[sixerswillrule]

Yeah, generally it's size for defensive purposes. Star SFs are usually guards on offense. Thabo Sefolosha was not a guard on offense for the Thunder, Danny Green is not a guard on offense for the Spurs, etc.

[qwerty1234]

Mostly size for defense, many teams still swap primary matchups between 1/2 and 3/4. On offense it's more about ball handling ability. If you're a rock on offense then you're going to be a 3 unless everyone else can make up for your lack of ability

[LookToShoot]

it comes down to where and how they play offensively on the court and who they guard on the other end, and you can throw in size as well.

At this point, it doesn't really matter. You have all types of players who do different things.

[RCM88x]

Like others have said, its mostly on the defensive end regarding the size of the player one primarily defends.

[NuggetsWY]

http://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/all/all/all/all/

There is a lot of confusion over this, but their sizes are clearly different. You don't wanna be stuck guarding someone with a 6 inch higher release than you.

and don't forget the precious wingspan - far more important for a SF than a SG - on the other hand, with all of the switching today, it's more important for everyone

[DusterBuster]

Same question can be asked for SF and PF.

[Statlanta]

When I think of Small Forwards I think of Ron Artest. Big perimeter players who can guard and post up wings.
When I think of Shooting Guard I think of Victor Oladipo. Smaller quicker guards who can hang with guys due to athleticism.

Conclusion
It's scary seeing a 6"8" shooting guard and a 6"10" 3/4 SF on the same team

[PhilBlackson]

Same question can be asked for SF and PF.

Not really.

Although it's becoming more common place to move a SF over to PF, even more modern PFs aren't quite as skilled on the perimeter in terms of their ballhandling and ability to create for themselves or others. We're talking in general, not the occasional exception.

[Luigi]

http://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/all/all/all/all/

There is a lot of confusion over this, but their sizes are clearly different. You don't wanna be stuck guarding someone with a 6 inch higher release than you.

and don't forget the precious wingspan - far more important for a SF than a SG - on the other hand, with all of the switching today, it's more important for everyone

Yeah, I take standing reach more seriously though. Wingspan is good for getting into passing lanes and reaching for the steal, but the more responsible defense is about staying in front of your man and getting your hands up when it matters. I wish announcers would list standing reach numbers instead of the wingspan for casual fans to gawk at.

[SelfishPlayer]

You probably will not find a 6'4" SF or a SF that runs off of screens for shots.

[NuggetsWY]

http://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/all/all/all/all/

There is a lot of confusion over this, but their sizes are clearly different. You don't wanna be stuck guarding someone with a 6 inch higher release than you.

and don't forget the precious wingspan - far more important for a SF than a SG - on the other hand, with all of the switching today, it's more important for everyone

Yeah, I take standing reach more seriously though. Wingspan is good for getting into passing lanes and reaching for the steal, but the more responsible defense is about staying in front of your man and getting your hands up when it matters. I wish announcers would list standing reach numbers instead of the wingspan for casual fans to gawk at.

and to take your logic even further, wouldn't it be nice if a few more players understood this?
There have been some great shot-blockers that didn't jump much. They just stand there and reach up. There's no falling for a fake or whatever - I'm thinking of Mark Eaton for example.

[Luigi]

and don't forget the precious wingspan - far more important for a SF than a SG - on the other hand, with all of the switching today, it's more important for everyone

Yeah, I take standing reach more seriously though. Wingspan is good for getting into passing lanes and reaching for the steal, but the more responsible defense is about staying in front of your man and getting your hands up when it matters. I wish announcers would list standing reach numbers instead of the wingspan for casual fans to gawk at.

and to take your logic even further, wouldn't it be nice if a few more players understood this?
There have been some great shot-blockers that didn't jump much. They just stand there and reach up. There's no falling for a fake or whatever - I'm thinking of Mark Eaton for example.

Ostertag did it well too, despite his many shortcomings. The Jerry Sloan defense was built around a huge cork in the middle. I think if he had one during the Williams, Boozer, Okur era to be a third big, we'd have had a longer run.

[zFoxHoUnD-x]

Like others have said, its mostly on the defensive end regarding the size of the player one primarily defends.

Exactly, it drove me nuts when the Raptors would list a 6'4 Powell as an SF and a 6'7 DeRozan as an SG. Seriously, what is the rationale for that?

DeRozan can't guard either position so I guess it doesn't really matter, but with a 3 inch height difference it makes no sense to list the shorter player as the SG.

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[Just_Somebody]

More SGs can play PG, and more SFs can play PF.

[zFoxHoUnD-x]

Like others have said, its mostly on the defensive end regarding the size of the player one primarily defends.

Exactly, it drove me nuts when the Raptors would list a 6'4 Powell as an SF and a 6'7 DeRozan as an SG. Seriously, what is the rationale for that?

DeRozan can't guard either position so I guess it doesn't really matter, but with a 3 inch height difference it makes no sense to list the shorter player as the SG.

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Edit, "makes no sense to list the shorter player as the SF."

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[TheWolfoftheNBA]

Literally no difference. Only difference is for idiots who take things too much into technicalities.

[Tiesto_Lakers]

PG's can play SG.

They can't play SF.

[J-Ves]

Height, ball handling ability. There isn't really much and those 2 positions have more or less combined to create the 'wing' position.


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