Who’s Going to Win The Position Battle: Point Guards
Will Bassy win out in Minny?The start of NFL training camp this week serves as a reminder that there’s nothing better than the start of a new season. Sure, the blind hope that your team will get out of last place and into the depths of the playoffs is nice. But better than fooling yourself into drafting your team’s starters for your fantasy league, the best part of the pre-season is the ferocious battling for positions in camp.
While the minor NBA trades that have crossed your radar over the last week or so - like the Marcus Williams move to Golden State - might not revamp your roster as a blockbuster would, they can still have a major impact on who suits up day one.
So looking forward to October, we’re looking at the biggest position battles in the League, starting with the quarterback of each squad - the point guards.
Who do you think is going to win the job with each one of these battles?
* Minnesota: Sebastian Telfair vs. Randy Foye
* Memphis: Mike Conley vs. Kyle Lowry vs. Javaris Crittenton
* New York: Chris Duhon vs. Nate Robinson vs. Anthony Roberson vs. Stephon Marbury (Mardy Collins doesn’t count)
* Indiana: T.J. Ford vs. Jarrett Jack vs. Jamaal Tinsley (he’s still technically there)
* Charlotte: Raymond Felton vs. D.J. Augustin
* Miami: Mario Chalmers vs. Jason Williams vs. Marcus Banks vs. Chris Quinn vs. Jason Richards
* Golden State: Marcus Williams vs. Monta Ellis
* Sacramento: Beno Udrih vs. Quincy Douby vs. Sean Singletary
* Oklahoma City: Luke Ridnour vs. Earl Watson vs. Russell Westbrook
* Portland: Steve Blake vs. Jerryd Bayless vs. Sergio Rodriguez
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
allaccess says:
1st
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Everlast aka Golden Gloves aka That yung one says:
foye
conley
nate
no homo but gotta go tj
ray felt
white choc
marcus @ the 1 monta @ the 2
beno
westbrook better then both them
bayyyylesssss
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
shake&bake says:
Foye
Conley
Nate (If I have to pick one)
T.J.
Ray Felton
Opening Day I’ll go with JWill (Hope J-Rich makes the squad)
Monta
Beno (I’m not a big fan of him)
Westbrook
Blake to start
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Howie says:
No, no, no, no I don’t get why everyone likes Ray Felton so much. D.J. Augustin already showed in college that he takes the ball to the basket better than Felton. Even if Ray can hit an open jumper he’s so soft going to the basket.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
D'Antonio says:
Foye (Bassy ? Hahaha)
Conley (the best passer)
Duhon (NY signed him for his D and his passing - the other guards will take turns at SG)
Ford
Chalmers
Ellis (or a small lineup with Ellis a 2 and Williams at 1)
Udrih
Westbrook
Blake at first, Bayless pretty quick
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Scott says:
I’m pretty sure Duhon has the spot in NYC. Him and D’Antoni sat together the entire time they watched the Knicks game on Saturday in Vegas, and it was clear to see that they weren’t watching that much, as they seemed to have had an ongoing convo everytime I looked over.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Uhm... says:
This is pointless. maybe you guys should do something like, “You were a Sonics fan… Now what?”
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Al says:
Why is Roberson on the list but Duhon didn’t make it ?
Westbrook needs the playing time more than anybody , he never was really a pure point guard
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
nowwhatyo says:
foye
conley
duhon
ford
felton
chalmers
monta
beno
westbrook
blake
All of these teams will suck! (except portland)
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Foye
Connely
Nate
TJ
Marcus Banks not even in the conversation in Mia?
Monta
Beno
Watson for a month then BW
Bayless all the way
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Kobeef says:
* Minnesota: Randy Foye - or at least it is his job to lose.
* Memphis: Mike Conley - Jarvis has one foot out the door and Lowry is seen as the backup.
* New York: Seriously? You forgot Chris Duhon? He is the only guy on that list who is close to being a PG.
* Indiana: T.J. Ford will get the start but somewhat like NY I am not sure if there is a “winner” in this situation.
* Charlotte: THis will be interesting. I am sure Felton is pissed about the thought of getting benched but he needs this push.
* Miami: Who is Jason Richards? I’d go with Chalmers but I think there will be another move before the season starts.
* Golden State: Marcus Williams because Monta is a SG.
* Sacramento: None of the above…ugh
* Oklahoma City: Are you kidding? Russell Westbrook! Watson and Ridnour are headed out of Town - see Miami.
* Portland: None of the above. BRoy all the way.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Luigi says:
i think
Foye
Conley
Starbury
Ford
Ray
Chalmers
Marcus
Singletary
Westbrook
Bayless
i have bias with rookies believing youth is good
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Justice says:
i think banks will win that miami spot, the dude guards people 3/4 court, the only thing is he is a streak shooter,but he is almost impossible to stay in front of when he makes up his mind to drive
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Celts Fan says:
A few of these are (should be anyway) very simple.
Minnesota: Foye (They traded Brandon Roy for him, whether he wins it or not, if he’s healthy, they’ll give him a chance to prove they didn’t get completely fleeced - they did regardless IMO - in that deal)
Memphis: Conley was considered untouchable draft night and is the only reason they don’t have Michael Beasley. If it’s not him, why was he untouchable? That’s not even pointing out he was 4th overall last year.
GS: Monta. Is this even a question? They paid big $$$ for Maggette and Jackson’s a captain, so Monta’s a 1 and he’s starting until/unless he proves he can’t handle the point (which I’m not ruling out, but if he can’t, he’s a damn good 2 guard, so he’ll just be sliding over if things don’t work out at the point in the regular season, but he will be the starter for the opener.)
Sacto: Beno Udrih. They just gave him $30M+.
The rest are still kind of up in the air.
Portland: Nate apparently said it’s Blake’s job to lose and that he will be starting opening night, but after Vegas, I wouldn’t be shocked if Jerryd keeps wowing them and puts Blake on the bench, I’m thinking htat’s more something that happens throughout the course of the season though and Bayless may be best used as a combo guard off the bench for this year (think a VERY rich man’s Eddie House or Jannero Pargo) and let him get some experience at the 1 against backups and give him the job next year.
OKC: I’d think it’s Watson (Ridnour sucks, Westbrook’s probably not ready at the start of the year) but Westbrook should be the guy by the end of the year.
Mia: I’d think they’d do everything possible to give Chalmers a chance to get the job. The other options don’t exactly inspire confidence.
Charlotte: Probably Felton to start, but who knows. Regardless, Felton’s in another uni and DJ’s running the show by this time next year unless he’s a complete bust.
Ind: TJ Ford I guess, though that’s assuming he can make it to November healthy.
NYC: As long as it’s not Steph, NY will rejoice. LeBron in 2010. Keep telling yourself that Knick fans, cuz these next 2 years are probably gonna be rough.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
SayItAintSo says:
* Minnesota: Randy Foye
* Memphis: Mike Conley
* New York: Chris Duhon
* Indiana: This one is hard. Depends on who gets the final say. If Tinsley is still there, then its him. If Tinsley is gone and Larry is wearing the patns in these decisions: its JJ. Otherwise its T.J.
* Charlotte: Raymond Felton (already invested too much into him)
* Miami: Jason Williams to start on day one but at this rate Mario is right on his heels.
* Golden State: Both will share all guard duties.
* Sacramento: Beno Udrih (I finally watched him this year and he is not bad at all. Toss enough PT his way and he’ll be a quality guard in the L for a while)
* Oklahoma City: Sue Bird (Bennett should have stolen her too because she’s better than all those kids))
* Portland: Jerryd Bayless
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Oh damn…I forgot about Maggette, that’ll probably move Williams to the bench unless Nellie orders an EXTRA small ball this year and starts Maggette and S-Jack at the forward duties, then Marcus will come out to play on opening tip.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
jace says:
* Minnesota: randy foye will prolly win this one.. but i think bassy has the better point guard skills.. i was followin his stats during the second of the season. improving very nicely.
* Memphis: Mike Conley. period.
* New York: i hear roberson and collins did pretty well in the summer league.. but due to lack of experience i highly doubt they will. i just straight up dont like nate robinson.. prolly cuz he robbed iggy of the dunk contest. but hes not a good pg either. to be honest.. i think stephon marbury could run d’antoni’s offense REAL well. but if hes really on his way out.. id say duhon.
* Indiana: T.J. Ford. period.
* Charlotte: Raymond Felton. larry brown straight up doesn’t like rookies. plus dj didnt show much pg skills in the summer league.
* Miami: jason williams will prolly have it at first. but i have a feeling mario chalmers will work his way in halfway thru the season.
* Golden State: i think they already said monta ellis is their point guard. butttt.. i think marcus williams should play it. hes an actual point guard.
* Sacramento: Beno Udrih. beno played too good for them last year.
* Oklahoma City: russell westbrook played awesomely at summer league. butttt.. i doubt theyd start too many young guys (westbrook, durant, AND green). although they are prolly the future of the franchise. most of the starting time will probably be for earl watson.
* Portland: bayless. i think bayless/roy makes for a pretty versatile backcourt. steve blake is the better pg. sergio is up and coming and i think he’ll get better this year.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
A-Slam says:
chalmers is hands down the starting point for Miami when the season starts. Banks is an undersized 2 guard, J-Will sucks and doesn’t pass and is past his prime, Quinn is shit and can’t guard anybody because he’s too damn small, and I just don’t see Jason Richards makin the team
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Dime Magazine says:
Celts fan I’m with you that Monta starts at the one no question. And honestly I don’t think that’s a horrible starting five for Golden State…
1 - Monta
2 - S. Jack
3 - Maggette
4 - Al Harrington
5 - Biedrins
with Turiaf, Marcus Williams coming off the bench. I think Monta is so talented that he’ll be able to make this team viable.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
goonther says:
Why is eveyone takin Marcus as the starter in Gs? If you move monta to the 2 that leaves a very angry s-jack on the bench right? Or maggetette? That won’t happen - montas the starter at PG
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
J says:
Foye in no way is a better PG than Bassy. I followed the wolves over the course of the season. Yeah Foye has the better offensive skill sets, but Bassy had some good games. His turnover rates per assist was in the top 20 of the L. He had many games where he had 8-10 assists and one or two TO. Put Foye as a combo guard, and let Bassy run the point. He definitely has to work on getting his FG % up to get any respect on his driving abilities.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Chaos says:
Minnesota: Foye (Bassy can actually take this job if he shows improvement over the summer. he needs to really work on his decision making skills. i see them actually pulling a poor mans ford-calderon scenario)
Memphis: Conley (they have invested too much and he is ready to take over full time as long as he is healthy. javaris is going to another team by the trade deadline and lowry is a career back up)
NYK: Chris Duhon (lets face it, Stephon is out of NY and will be playing ball with Josh Childress this year killing the euroleague. Anthony Roberson wont be seeing anytime on the court and nate will be the sixth man off the bench when they need a scoring punch. he is not a true pg)
Indiana: TJ Ford (depends on who can stay healthiest but its TJs job)
Charlotte: Raymond Felton (they invested too much in felton, but if he get hurt and DJ picks up the slack, Raymond is on the bench)
MIA: Jason Williams (to start but mario chalmers will eventually take the job. prolly by allstar break. chris quinn and the other guy wont be around long and i think they will marcus banks will be used more at the two)
G.S.: Monta Ellis (will obviously start at the 1 but when nellie sees that he is better at the two and marcus can run the O, S-Jax or Maggette will be moved to the bench)
Sac-Town: Beno Udrih (he proved too much last year and they just gave him a shiny new contract so to not look like total dumbasses he will start. quincy douby is sac-town’s kyle lowry and sean singletary will actually be a more than reliable backup pg…or maybe i believe that cuz i am from VA)
OKC: Russell Westbrook (he should starting but they will proly pick earl watson to start the season. Ridnour and Swift will prolly collide in practice and dislocate a toe or finger nail or something and be out for a year. earl watson is a better back up and a good scorer off the bench but not a starter)
Portland: Steve Blake (i see blake starting because he has the experience and he is a good ass passer but he essentially doesnt have the physically cant get it done so bayless will start waaaay before the all start break but when roy is hurt or they wanna go with a smaller line up, the line up will be blake, bayless, roy, aldridge and oden….fernandez will run more 2 guard when he plays and i have idea where kopenen will end up)
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
weezy f says:
@ kobebeef
jason richards is the guy on stephan currys team..the one who missed that 3 at the end of the game…right?
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
David Brandon says:
what about chi town?
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
dagwaller says:
Great feature.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:23 am
johnsacrimoni says:
Does everyone seriously think Nate McMillan’s going to have a rookie combo guard starting over a dependable pass-first floor general? Bayless may be the future in Portland but Blake is the present. Bayless will come off the bench at the 1 and 2 this season and will probably become a full-time starter by the last quarter of the season or next year.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Wolves Fan #1 says:
obviously i’m a wolves fan so i’m just gonna comment on their little predicament. i think that bassy (with his being 10th in the nba in assist-to-turnover ratio) has earned minutes and i think him and foye should start together in the backcourt at the beginning of the season, with miller at the 3, and love and jefferson down low. foye isn’t enough of a distributor and too much of a scorer to be running the point on a team that is trying to become relevant again. once bassy gets a nice jump shot to his game, which is coming along, he will be sick. saw em live this year, and bassy is just so bloody quick…
July 24th, 2008 at 2:44 am
loot says:
* Minnesota: Randy Foye
* Memphis: Mike Conley
* New York: Chris Duhon
* Indiana: T.J. Ford
* Charlotte: Raymond Felton
* Miami: Mario Chalmers
* Golden State: Monta Ellis
* Sacramento: Beno Udrih
* Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook
* Portland: Steve Blake
July 24th, 2008 at 4:17 am
karan says:
* Minnesota: Randy Foye
* Memphis: Kyle Lowry
* New York: Stephon Marbury
* Indiana: T.J. Ford
* Charlotte: Raymond Felton
* Miami:Jason Williams
* Golden State: Marcus Williams
* Sacramento: Beno Udrih
* Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook
* Portland: Jerryd Bayless
— for all these players, they may not start the season as point guard, but i predict they would have played more PG by the time the season ends… including STARBURY
July 24th, 2008 at 4:34 am
BxBaller says:
Minny: Foye
Memphis: Conley (he’s their “franchise pg”)
NY: Starbury (if the Knicks don’t do something foolish and let him go)
Indy: Ford
Charlotte: Felton
Miami: Banks (I heard somewhere that JWill is out)
GS: Monta (by the middle of the season, it will be Williams)
Sactown: Beno (they just gave dude a new contract)
OKC: Watson
Portland: (Bayless KILLED sumemer league, he’s earned it)
July 24th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Smooth says:
Minnesota: Sebastian Telfair
Memphis: Mike Conley
New York: Stephon Marbury
Indiana: T.J. Ford
Charlotte: Raymond Felton
Miami: Jason Williams
Golden State: Monta Ellis
Sacramento: Beno Udrih
Oklahoma City: Luke Ridnour
Portland: Jerryd Bayless
July 24th, 2008 at 10:45 am
doc says:
I think Foye is a 2 and Bassy should be the 1.In Memphis Im going with Mr. Lowery because I think my youngin better than Conley.New York probaly Duhon but Steph more talented than all of them.In Indi it gotta be TJ since they traded they big for him.Charlotte Raymond gonna start LB hates on rookies with a passion.Miami-Chalmers because i dont think melted chocolate gonna be there.GS going with Monta.Sac Town gotta start Mr. Singletary because he better and he grew up next door to me.OKC Westbrook.Portland Beyless.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Tony says:
a bit late, but:
Foye
Conley
Duhon
Ford
Felton
Mario Chalmers (really wish Richards would make it though)
Ellis
Udrih
Westbrook
Bayless