What's Up with Teams not Playing Point Guards Anymore?

[Liam_Gallagher]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

[whatisacenter]

Dallas is waiting for Kyrie to return.

Houston lost FVV to injury and can't make a trade for one until later in the season.

PHX I dunno.

Lakers are playing Luka at PG because that's how he plays.

[-Luke-]

Many long-term injuries on that position: Lillard, Haliburton, Kyrie, FVV. There are probably others that I forgot.

But I think most of the teams you mentioned will play a point guard at some point. Amen and Flagg will get a few weeks/months. I think Houston trades for a point guard near the deadline.

[badpotato]

More talent across the board — players nowadays are expected to be able to handle the ball, make passes, and create their own shot to some extent, even at center.
Most teams simply don't need a guy who will spoon-feed the rest anymore. It's cool to have one (like Hali), but it's no longer required to run efficient offense.

[bonita_the_frog]

And Minnesota started ANT with Donte in the backcourt, while Mike Conley came off the bench and only played 13 minutes...

[jasonxxx102]

Lakers are different because Luka is a PG.

but otherwise Houston and Dallas literally don't have PGs due to injury.

not due to Injury just a terrible roster but the Suns just don't have any PGs to play

[FollowTheSound]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

Kidd often played Giannis at PG for his development, he's doing the same thing with Flagg.

[Ambrose]

On what planet is Luka not a PG? Lumping him in with the other 3 is a wild take.

[HotelVitale]

The Sixers also don't really have a PG, Maxey is probably officially that but it's not his game at all, and Edgecombe was bringing the ball up when they played last night. And he's definitely not a traditional PG at all.

They sort of don't need one now, because so many sets are just pn'r and DHOs that many non-PGs can run. It'd be good to have someone who can organize the offense and initiate with great passing to open up the floor, but it doesn't seem as necessary as it did years ago.

[Saberestar]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

Luka Doncic is and always has been a PG. He is tall and big...but a PG.

[Iwasawitness]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

In what world is Luka not a PG?

[Jailblazers7]

More players with ball skills make a classic PG less important. No need to have a classic plate setter when you’re running multiple actions on each play with everyone touching the ball.

[whitehops]

it's one of the developments with playing 0.5 basketball, which pretty much the entire league tries to do now. that involves every player on the floor being able to make decisions, handle/pass so the traditional PG responsibility is spread out more. wings and bigs have gotten better in recent years so the added size defensively is a plus.

you still need players that can create advantages/get two defenders on the ball but some teams can make that work without a "true PG". tonight the rockets are playing the pistons and both teams are playing their thompson twin at PG more so that'll be cool to see.

[dhsilv2]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

What is a point guard?

[chilluminati]

For some reason Phoenix thinks Book is a PG, which he is not. It's never looked that good. To me Book has been playing worse since CP3 left.

[Dacost]

So I don't think the PG part is the issue what's getting left out more and more are 6'2 and under players.

We are seeing the Cp3 and Tyus Jones like point guards less and less around the NBA.

[davidv2001]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

The Rockets lost their starting point guard for the year in Fred VanVleet a month before the season. They don’t have a comparable backup.

Dallas is without Kyrie Irving, and D’Angelo Russell has plenty of flaws. Phoenix wants to see what Devin Booker can do as the primary initiator on offense during a rebuilding year. Luka Doncic is the Lakers’ point guard.

[Effigy]

Point guards are typically the worst defenders on the floor. If you can replace your 6'0 guy with a 6'5 guy who's better at defense, that's a huge improvement on that end.

[Jadoogar]

Teams like Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and even the Lakers are opting out of playing point guards - is there a reason for this?

Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Devin Booker, and even Luka Doncic aren't PGs. Why are they playing that position then?

Dallas and Houston lost their main point guards. Houston especially has no replacement, they ran Reed Sheppard but he's clearly not ready

Luka is absolutely a PG. He's basically been the lead ball handler his whole career.

[Archx]

Point guards are typically the worst defenders on the floor. If you can replace your 6'0 guy with a 6'5 guy who's better at defense, that's a huge improvement on that end.

That's why you have centers and 3&D wings to help out. Who's going to organize these guys on the offensive end then?