Basketball is a sport that has existed for quite some time and naturally, quite a bit has changed about it over the years. However, one thing that has not changed over the decades is the different positions that basketball players can play. There are some unique positions now. Despite this, there are five standard basketball positions that players can play.
These positions are point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. These days, many players, especially in the NBA, can play multiple positions. One of these players is Bam Adebayo. However, the standard positions remain largely the same. Without further ado, here is a full explanation of all of the standard positions in basketball.
Basketball Positions: Point Guard
One of the standard five positions in basketball is point guard. The point guard is responsible for bringing the ball up the court and running the team’s offense. The point guard calls out plays and ensures the other players run the play correctly. It is also important to note that the point guard is usually the best dribbler and passer on the team.
Additionally, the point guard is responsible for adjusting to the opposing team’s defense as necessary. These days, point guards on NBA teams are often also the leading scorer or one of the leading scorers on the team. However, this is not part of the natural role of the point guard position.
A few great point guards are Jason Kidd, John Stockton, and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.
Shooting Guard Explained
The second standard position in basketball is called shooting guard. As the name suggests, the shooting guard’s primary role is to score against the opposing team. A shooting guard is usually the best scorer on the team and therefore this responsibility is quite natural. The main distinction between a point guard and a shooting guard in terms of how a team’s offense runs is that the point guard sets up the play.
The shooting guard is usually the one who ‘finishes’ the play by scoring or at least attempting a shot. Shooting guards are typically three-level scorers these days. This means they can score from three-point range, midrange, and at the basket. Many shooting guards, such as Anthony Edwards, are also athletic but this isn’t a strict requirement. Shooting guards often receive the ball when the team needs an important score, increasing their offensive responsibility.
A few of the many legendary shooting guards in basketball history include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade. All three of these players won multiple championships and are legends of their franchises and in the NBA as a whole.
Basketball Positions Explained: Small Forward
The third traditional position in basketball is small forward. In basketball, the small forward is typically a well-rounded player who can excel on both offense and defense. Offensively, small forwards are usually also three-level scorers these days who can make three-pointers, hit midrange shots, and score at the basket. Additionally, small forwards are usually bigger and stronger than point guards or shooting guards.
This is not always the case, but it can often help them be more effective. Defensively, small forwards can typically guard multiple positions and are often tasked with defending the opposing team’s best scorer. Naturally, this depends on which position the opposing team’s best scorer plays.
In any case, versatility is key for any basketball player who plays as a small forward. This applies to both defense and offense. Small forwards can typically do a lot of things well, such as rebound, play defense, and score. Some all-time great small forwards include LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving aka ‘Dr. J’.
Basketball Positions: Power Forward Explained
The power forward position shares some similarities with the small forward, as one might guess from the similarities in the positions’ names. Power forwards are usually versatile players, as well. They often play closer to the basket and help the team rebound the ball. These days, most power forwards at the elite level can score at all three levels and many can defend multiple positions.
However, there are also significant differences between the small forward and power forward positions. Power forwards are usually bigger and taller than small forwards and are less likely to run plays than small forwards. Additionally, power forwards often contribute offensively by setting screens to help facilitate plays and create open shots for teammates. Power forwards also often guard the paint and may work with the center to prevent the other team from scoring at the basket.
Defensive versatility is also vital. Power forwards need to be strong enough to guard larger players but quick enough to guard smaller players further from the basket. This defensive versatility is key for the team. Some legendary power forwards include Charles Barkley, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki.
The Center Is The Defensive Core
As previously mentioned, basketball positions have changed quite a bit in the NBA in recent years. However, some things remain the same. Centers are traditionally the tallest and biggest players on the team. Many centers play close to the basket, but centers playing further from the basket is fairly common these days.
In terms of other strengths, centers are typically skilled at rebounding, setting screens, and contesting shots. Centers are often excellent at scoring at the basket, but many centers can now score from the midrange area and from the three-point line as well. A center can help the team on both ends by preventing baskets in the paint, bringing down rebounds, and pushing the ball down the court. In the past, centers were sometimes the least skilled players on the team.
However, this is no longer the case. These days, many centers are extremely skilled and can pass, shoot, and dribble at an elite level. Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, is one example of such a skilled center. There have been many all-time great centers, including Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Positions in basketball are more fluid these days, with concepts such as ‘combo guards’, ‘combo forwards’, ‘point forwards’, and more. However, this is a good overview of the five traditional basketball positions.