Latest news with #pointguard
Yahoo
19 hours ago
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Richard Jefferson puts Chris Paul a tier below John Stockton: "I would put him in the same class of point guard as Chauncey Billups"
Richard Jefferson puts Chris Paul a tier below John Stockton: "I would put him in the same class of point guard as Chauncey Billups" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Chris Paul is set to play in his 21st season in the league after he signed a one-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite this development, it cannot be denied that the Point God's' decorated career is nearing its end. With that, the crew of the "Road Trippin'" recently discussed where Chris stands in the pantheon of all-time great point guards. Former NBA champion and current broadcaster Richard Jefferson acknowledges that, despite his accomplishments, he falls short of the elite status held by John Stockton. Jefferson points out that Stockton's legendary assists record, set over two decades ago, remains a benchmark CP has yet to approach, placing him in a tier below Stockton. On the same level as Billups CP3 and Stockton share similar career paths as elite playmakers and assist machines, yet neither has secured an NBA championship. Both have come agonizingly close, reaching the Finals only to fall short on the sport's grandest stage. However, Jefferson believes the comparison between the two ends there. "I would put him in the same class of point guard as Chauncey Billups, who has one championship, right and won a Finals MVP," he shared. "You would say statistically, Chris Paul had a way better career," Jefferson continued. "But I think in the class of: if this was your point guard, the attributes that you are getting, you would even say Chauncey Billups with going to five straight Conference Finals or four straight Conference Finals and two Finals." "If you look at team success and Chris Paul, he's always had team success, but he's had more team success. So I put him in that tier with those guys," he concluded. Paul has had a remarkable career, amassing 12,499 assists to place second on the all-time list behind Stockton. However, many consider the latter's record to be near-unbreakable as he totaled 15,806 in his 19-year NBA career. As a matter of fact, the next active player on the all-time assists leader list is Russell Westbrook who stands in the eighth spot with 9,925 dimes.A level below the Magics and Stocktons There are levels to greatness in the NBA and it's safe to say that Paul belongs to the second tier. Despite being a highly skilled player with an impressive resume, he falls just short of the all-time greats like Stockton and Magic Johnson. "There's the Magic Johnsons, there's the John Stocktons, there's the Isiah Thomases," Jefferson stated. "Some people have Steph in that point guards [list], some people have him in two guard. I think there's that tier and then I think that there's that next tier." CP has not been done yet, but the proof is in the numbers. Factoring in his average of 7.4 assists per game in 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, CP needs to average that for the next 447 games to reach Stockton's mark. "Let me just say this: CP, great point guard, statistically, all the things," Jefferson expressed. "I would say he's still five, six seasons away from John Stockton on the assist record, right?" While CP continues to make his mark and climb the all-time lists, Stockton's name remains as the mark of excellence, endurance and the ultimate unselfishness. And while his lack of a championship ring may be a stain on his resume, it can never be denied that he was one of the greatest court generals of all story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Latest intel on Sacramento Kings interest in Russell Westbrook, odds of signing
The Sacramento Kings came into the offseason focused on improving at point guard, immediately landing veteran Dennis Schroder. With a starting point guard now in Sacramento, veteran Russell Westbrook reportedly remains on the team's radar. NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic shared on Sactown Sports 1140 that the Kings' front office, especially general manager Scott Perry, has 'a lot of affinity' for Westbrook. While the team likes him, the crowded backcourt has raised concerns that signing the 36-year-old point guard would only make things worse. Related: : 13.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 44.9% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 0.045 Win Shares per 48 Minutes Amick, who used to cover the Kings, now believes that a signing of Westbrook isn't going to happen. For that to change, Sacramento would likely need to move one or both of guards Devin Carter and Malik Monk. For now, nothing is imminent. Westbrook spent last season with the Denver Nuggets after finishing as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate the previous season with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the 6-foot-4 point guard's effectiveness dipped considerably, and he showed real signs of age. Related: Russell Westbrook career earnings (): $345.9 million Schroder will be the Kings' starting point guard for the 2025-26 season, with Carter and Monk behind him. The other known suitor for Westbrook, the New York Knicks, is also unlikely to add him after landing Jordan Clarkson. Related Headlines Elite MLB reporter details 3 big reasons why rumors of Red Sox trading Alex Bregman are ridiculous Bold UFC Nashville predictions: Will it be a bad night in Music City for 'Black Beast'? NFL analyst boldly predicts Eagles and Lions 2025 Super Bowl hopes will be upended by surprise NFC team Mets rumor claims club dangled Pete Alonso in trade idea to get Pete Crow-Armstrong back
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
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Ex-NBA Player Selects Stephen Curry Ahead Of Magic Johnson, Claims "Steph Saved Everybody"
Ex-NBA Player Selects Stephen Curry Ahead Of Magic Johnson, Claims "Steph Saved Everybody" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson are widely regarded as two of the greatest point guards to have ever played in the NBA. While most rankings place Johnson's legacy and contributions to the game above Curry's, former NBA player Jeff Teague offered a different perspective. In a recent episode of the "Club 520 Podcast", Teague explained why he would rank Curry ahead of Johnson. He said: "I know Magic saved the league. I know he saved the league, him and Larry Bird saved the NBA, I get it. So there's no made it cool to be a big point guard. But Steph saved everybody." While addressing Bleacher Report's NBA Top 100 list, Teague suggested a switch between Magic and Curry, claiming that the latter was the greatest point guard ever. "What he did at 6'3", bro," he continued. "The thing about Magic Johnson was, he was the better player anyway because he's 6'9". He could've played center." While the panel continued to debate what a 1v1 matchup between Johnson and Curry would look like, Teague added, "Have you ever seen Magic Johnson move? He had no chance in hell guarding Steph Curry?" Teague presents an interesting take, though it may not fully capture either player's greatness. As Johnson was with the Los Angeles Lakers, Curry has been with the Golden State Warriors. Both players, with their respective teams, have redefined the sport in their way. Johnson's flamboyant and versatile playmaking at his size challenged the traditional perceptions of the point guard position. With his ability to find his teammates in transition, the Lakers legend ushered in the era of "showtime" basketball, reinvigorating the team, as well as the league. Meanwhile, Curry has fundamentally reshaped how the modern game is played. With his transcendent three-point shooting ability, the Warriors guard transformed the outlook towards perimeter shooting. Today, the three-point shot is a must-have in virtually every player's arsenal, regardless of position. Comparing the two players in a 1v1 setup is quite redundant. Curry's quickness and shooting ability would be a horrible match for Johnson. Similarly, the physical difference owed to Johnson's size and strength would be a challenge for the Warriors' guard to overcome. Such comparisons fall short, as they ignore the best aspects of each player's style of play, exemplifying that when it comes to comparing greatness, the 1v1 outlook is quite limited. Bleacher Report ranked Magic Johnson at No. 4, while Stephen Curry barely made it into the top 10. While this has sparked some debate, especially with Kobe Bryant being ranked No. 11, the aspect of subjective taste is bound to see the rise of differential opinions. Johnson ended his career with five NBA titles to his name, while Curry has secured four thus far. Given how successful both have been in their careers, including their impact on the game itself, it is safe to say that they certainly are among the greatest to have ever done story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
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Rob Dillingham On Adjusting To Being An NBA Point Guard
Rob Dillingham On Adjusting To Being An NBA Point Guard originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a stacked roster, but they are lacking in the point guard department. Mike Conley Jr. is a fantastic player, but his age has become a detriment to the team because he doesn't play as fast as they would like. Conley is still a magnificent playmaker and leader, but Father Time is always undefeated in professional sports. Advertisement Tim Connelly and the front office aim to future-proof the team, which is why they selected Joan Beringer as a potential successor to Rudy Gobert in 2025, while selecting Rob Dillingham as the long-term point guard in 2024. He might not have played heavy minutes, but Dillingham is glad to learn behind the scenes. Feb 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) works around Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) during the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images After a standout freshman year at Kentucky, Dillingham only played 49 games in his first NBA season. It was an underwhelming rookie campaign, but it was clear that the Timberwolves had big plans for him. Conley was his mentor, while assistant coach and former NBA guard Pablo Prigioni helped him behind the scenes. Dillingham entered the 2025 NBA Summer League extremely motivated. He wanted to prove that the Timberwolves need to play him in the regular season. The former Kentucky Wildcat is doing well, as he is a standout for the Timberwolves in the Summer League alongside fellow incoming sophomore Terrence Shannon Jr. Advertisement Dillingham Feels He Has Grown Up Since He Entered The League Across NBA circles, it is well known that the point guard position is the hardest to acclimate to in the NBA. The Timberwolves knew that, so they wanted Dillingham to improve behind the scenes while getting stronger physically. The young guard also needed to adjust to the intense NBA pace and physicality. He has done well in that department, as he understands what he needs to do, and he is actively looking for ways to improve. The hard work is showing with the diversity of his performances during the 2025 NBA Summer League. "It's a whole new game for me, honestly, whether people see it or not, it's a way new whole game for me," Dillingham said after Tuesday's Summer League game. "Learning like this is like a whole new aspect of basketball for me, once I learn this at a high right, I can play from anywhere." Advertisement Dillingham is growing as a leader for the Timberwolves While he is still a young player in the primary Timberwolves lineup, the 2025 NBA Summer League has been important for Dillingham's growth as a leader. Considering he will be the team's long-term point guard, this is an awesome development for the young point guard. Anthony Edwards is the team's superstar and leader, but having someone like Dillingham alongside him will be great. The Timberwolves have all the talent on their roster; they need to keep pushing and improving the young core. "It's new for sure, I've always just been a scorer. Joan is a great player, so I guide him and get him in the right spots to put him in the best position to play his best game. It makes it easier for all of us," Dillingham continued in his interview. Advertisement Since Dillingham has always been a score-first point guard, improving as a playmaker and leader is a good sign for the future. He could be the dynamic point guard the Timberwolves need alongside Edwards, as they aim for glory in the NBA Playoffs. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucks linked to reunion with Cameron Payne in free agency
The Milwaukee Bucks are currently seeking depth at point guard and are expected to target low-cost options in free agency this summer. The team has already made a splash this offseason, waiving superstar point guard Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract Tuesday. Lillard was already expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign due to a torn left Achilles tendon. Now, the Bucks will likely look to bolster their depth behind Kevin Porter Jr., who re-signed with the team on a two-year, $11 million deal Monday. Advertisement MORE:Damian Lillard's feelings revealed after being waived by Bucks According to The Athletic, Milwaukee has been linked to several options at the point in free agency, including Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Monte Morris and Jared Butler. However, a reunion with Cameron Payne may also be in play. Payne joined the Bucks on a minimum deal to back up Lillard in October 2023 but was traded to Philadelphia in February 2024. During his stint in Milwaukee, he averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 rebounds while shooting 39.7 percent from three-point range across 14.9 minutes per game. The 30-year-old signed another minimum deal in 2024, appearing in 72 regular-season games with the Knicks. Over that span, he averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per contest. Advertisement Payne could provide a spark off the bench for the Bucks as the team attempts to stay competitive in a wide-open Eastern Conference — and keep superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. MORE BUCKS NEWS:
