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In basketball, the starting 5 refers to the five players on the court for each team at the beginning of a game. Each player is assigned one of five positions: point guard (PG), shooting guard (SG), small forward (SF), power forward (PF), and center (C). The point guard is typically the team's best ball handler and passer, while the shooting guard is often a prolific three-point shooter. Small forwards are versatile and should be able to do a bit of everything, from driving to the basket to long-range shooting. The power forward and center positions are differentiated by their proximity to the basket, with the center often playing closer to the basket and taking on more defensive responsibilities.
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What You'll Learn
- Point Guard (PG): the team's best ball handler and passer, usually the shortest player
- Shooting Guard (SG): prolific from three-point range, good at spacing the floor
- Small Forward (SF): should be able to do a bit of everything, including shooting and passing
- Power Forward (PF)
- Center (C): also known as the post position
Point Guard (PG): the team's best ball handler and passer, usually the shortest player
The point guard (PG), also called the 'one' or the 'point', is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. The point guard is typically the team's shortest player and best ball handler and passer. They are usually quicker, good at driving and short-range shots, and are often able to create shots for themselves and their teammates.
Point guards are responsible for running the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure it gets to the right player at the right time. They are often referred to as dribblers or playmakers and are expected to be vocal floor leaders. They must have a good understanding of the game and be able to adapt to what the defense is allowing, as well as controlling the pace of the game. Their primary job is to facilitate scoring opportunities for their team or sometimes for themselves.
Point guards are often positioned on the perimeter of the play to have the best view of the action, which is crucial because of their leadership obligations. They are sometimes called the "coach on the floor" or "floor general" as they are an extension of their coach on the court and must display good leadership skills.
Some notable point guards include Magic Johnson, who won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) three times, and Stephen Curry, who has won the MVP twice. Other notable NBA point guards include Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. In the WNBA, notable point guards include Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Courtney Vandersloot.
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Shooting Guard (SG): prolific from three-point range, good at spacing the floor
In basketball, there are five players on the court per team, each assigned to a specific position. The shooting guard (SG), also known as the two, two-guard, or off-guard, is one of the five traditional positions in a regulation basketball game.
Shooting guards are prolific from three-point range and good at spacing the floor. They are known for their ability to score points for their team and are typically good long-range shooters, averaging 35-40% from three-point range. They must be able to stay free while others pass the ball around and correctly space the floor to find open space for themselves. This ability to create space for themselves and their teammates is a critical aspect of the shooting guard position.
In addition to their scoring prowess, shooting guards also contribute to the team's defense. They are often referred to as "3 and D" players, implying that they can shoot three-pointers and play effective defense. Developing skills in defense, passing, and strength is essential for shooting guards. They are often used as secondary ball handlers to relieve pressure from the point guard.
Shooting guards are usually taller than point guards, with heights ranging from 6'4" to 6'6" in the NBA and 5'10" to 6'1" in the WNBA. They are strong and athletic, with the ability to drive to the basket and handle the ball. While passing may not be their main priority, they should be able to pass reasonably well and often attract double teams, resulting in a fair number of assists.
Some notable shooting guards include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and James Harden.
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Small Forward (SF): should be able to do a bit of everything, including shooting and passing
The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers but taller, larger, and stronger than either of the guard positions. They are strategic and are relied upon to score, defend, create open lanes, and rebound for their team.
Small forwards are considered the most versatile players on the court. They are like the "Swiss army knife" of the team, able to do a little bit of everything, including scoring, rebounding, handling the ball, passing, and defending. They are also good shooters from long range and are the second-best 3-point shooters on the court, along with the shooting guard. Some small forwards have good passing skills, allowing them to assume point guard responsibilities as point forwards.
Small forwards are typically capable scorers who can generate points in a variety of ways. They can attack the rim while in possession of the basketball, using their swift first step or dribbling moves. They can also score around the basket with layups, dunks, or floaters. Small forwards can also utilize the on-ball screen to establish dribble penetration into the gaps of the defense, particularly near the nail area. They are also good at getting to the line and drawing fouls by aggressively attempting plays, layups, or slam dunks, so accurate foul shooting is a common skill for small forwards.
In terms of playmaking, small forwards can execute lob passes to teammates near the basket, resulting in easy layups or dunks via alley-oop action. They are also better rebounders than point guards or shooting guards due to their height advantage and longer wingspan. Small forwards are also able to efficiently cover the low post areas around the basket, particularly if they are strong and athletic with long arms. This allows them to guard against offensive low post players through defensive switching or during a small ball sequence where they play the role of an undersized power forward.
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Power Forward (PF)
In basketball, the Power Forward (PF), also known as the four, is one of the five traditional positions in a regulation basketball game. The PF is typically the tallest or second-tallest player on the court, with their height ranging from 6'9" (2.06 m) to 6'11" (2.11 m) in the NBA, and 6'0" (1.83 m) to 6'3" (1.91 m) in the WNBA.
The PF position has traditionally played a role similar to the center position, and their responsibilities include rebounding, screen setting, rim protection, and scoring. On offense, PFs typically play with their backs towards the basket, and on defense, they position themselves under the basket in a zone defense or against the opposing PF in man-to-man defense.
PFs are expected to be strong and powerful, using their athleticism and size to their advantage. They are often the primary rebounders for their team, and some have also extended their shooting range to include three-point field goals, making them even more valuable on the court.
Some notable PFs include Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Draymond Green, and Zion Williamson, who have all made significant contributions to the position and the sport.
In modern basketball, the traditional position definitions have evolved, and the PF role has become more flexible. Today, a PF might have the skills of a point guard, a shooting guard, or a small forward, depending on the squad's needs and the player's individual skill set. This evolution has allowed for more diverse and dynamic gameplay, with players like LeBron, who can take on multiple roles and create mismatches for their opponents.
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Center (C): also known as the post position
In a basketball game, there are five players on the court per team, each assigned to one of the five positions: point guard (PG), shooting guard (SG), small forward (SF), power forward (PF), and center (C). The center (C) position is also known as the post position, the five, the pivot, or the big. The center is typically the tallest player on the team, often with significant strength and body mass. In the NBA, the center is usually close to 7 feet (2.13 m) tall, while in the WNBA, they are typically above 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m).
Centers traditionally play near the basket in the low post, close to the baseline. They are valued for their defensive skills, such as protecting their goal from high-percentage close attempts, and their offensive capabilities, including scoring and rebounding with high efficiency. The center's role is crucial in creating possessions and scoring opportunities for their team by rebounding and preventing opponents from scoring in the paint.
Over time, the traditional role of the center has evolved, and some teams have even done away with it. The emergence of a faster-paced and more athletic style of play has led to a shift towards shorter and quicker post players. Additionally, the influence of European basketball has redefined the offensive role of centers, emphasizing perimeter play and outside shooting. This evolution has resulted in centers like Nikola Jokić, who possess guard-like passing abilities, creating new strategic possibilities for their teams.
While the center position has undergone changes, it remains an essential part of the starting five in basketball. The presence of a skilled center who can score in the low post and create balance within the offense is highly valued. The center's defensive prowess in protecting the goal and their ability to rebound and block shots make them a pivotal component of any successful basketball team.
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