Point guards proving their importance.

Point guards are showing more and more how they impact the game everyday.

A point guard, the most important position on the court, but nobody knows what they really do.The point guard is the floor general. The guy who really controls the tempo of the game and how his other teammates are going to play. Many people who watch basketball just look at the point guard as another position, who has the same effect on the game as everyone else. But what they fail to acknowledge is the way that the point guard leads his team.

The importance of the point guard came to light on January 21, when the two premier universities in the state played. First was the University of Louisville who got beat by Florida State without the leadership of their point guard, Quentin Snider, who was out with an injury. Therefore,they did not have the guidance on the court that they needed. There was nobody to control the tempo of the game for them and to lead them through the game. Louisville shooting guard, Donovan Mitchell, had to take over at point guard. Being tired from running point guard, Mitchell played worse than he usually does, only coming away with four points. Also, backups David Levitch and Tony Davis, combined for 25 points and 4 assists. While those stats are better than Snider’s, they did not bring to the table what he does defensively and leader wise.

Just a few hours later, The University of Kentucky battled against South Carolina, the 24th ranked team in the country. Early in the game, Kentucky point guard De’aaron Fox got injured and was not able to return to the game. They were not able to close out the game until the end without Fox. All because of Kentucky’s point guard not being able to play. His leadership and ability of being able to control the tempo was no longer on the court. Until late in the game when Malik Monk, shooting guard for Kentucky, decided to take on the point guard role and help extend the lead and win the game.

Little do people know, this is seen come to life every week at our own school. Point guard Luke Ezell, an ungodly player on the court, leads his team to playing the best game they can every time they walk on the court. All because of his ability to change the tempo of the game and intensity in which he plays with, every second he is on the court. He gives his all every play, which makes every single one of his teammates want to do the same. “I try to be to be vocal and encourage teammates in practices and in games,” said Ezell. Not only is he a humble player but also a great team player willing to put anything on the line for his teammates.

No matter how tall or how short, how small or how big, the point guard can always decide on if his team is going to win or lose.