I have been hearing a fair bit of criticism regarding our point guard situation and many people in these forums seem to feel like we desperately NEED to upgrade the position. Now, certainly we would all love to have Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo running the team but if you look at the 8 teams who made the playoffs last year in the Easter Conference, only Boston, Chicago, and you could talk me into Milwaukee with Jennings had point guards who are unquestionably more talented than Jack at this stage of their career.
1 - Cleveland - Mo Williams
Lebron, as a point forward, was really their main distributor but Mo Williams played the point there for the most part and I wouldn't categorize him as being superior to Jack. He can score a bit more but overall there is not much difference between the two.
2 - Orlando - Jameer Nelson
Definitely in the same category as Jack. A decent all around point guard.
3 - Atlanta - Mike Bibby
Jack takes the nod here as Bibby is on his last legs and is in a neck and neck race with Calderon for worst defensive point guard in the league.
4 - Boston - Rajon Rondo
Here Rondo takes the cake as he one of the best in the game. Not even close.
5 - Miami - Mario Chalmers
Edge to Jack here too although Wade is often the main distributor.
6 - Milwaukee - Brandon Jennings
They are not that far apart at this stage of their respective careers but Jennings has more natural talent and immense potential and will undoubtedly surpass Jack if he hasn't already.
7 - Charlotte - DJ Augustin
If I have to explain this one then you are probably on the wrong website.
8 - Chicago - Derrick Rose
Miles ahead of Jack.
So my point is that Jack is a more than adequate option to run our team providing we surround him with the same talent level the above teams have. Now, getting that level of talent is the tricky part but this idea that until we get a great top ten point guard we are destined to struggle is completely nonsensical. Having a dominant point guard is great but not a necessity. If you look at the NBA champions of the millennium (Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, Celtics, Heat) only the Pistons with Billups had a point guard that they relied on to dominate the game. Parker has always been a key to the Spurs success but never more than a third option on offense. Rondo was the fourth option on that Celtics team that won and the best player on the team that lost.
Jack is never going to be an All-Star but he is a point guard that can give you 12ppg, 6 apg, and plays average defense. That is the kind of player that can be an integral part of a championship team and not someone we should be rushing to move. At least that's how this Jerk sees it.
1 - Cleveland - Mo Williams
Lebron, as a point forward, was really their main distributor but Mo Williams played the point there for the most part and I wouldn't categorize him as being superior to Jack. He can score a bit more but overall there is not much difference between the two.
2 - Orlando - Jameer Nelson
Definitely in the same category as Jack. A decent all around point guard.
3 - Atlanta - Mike Bibby
Jack takes the nod here as Bibby is on his last legs and is in a neck and neck race with Calderon for worst defensive point guard in the league.
4 - Boston - Rajon Rondo
Here Rondo takes the cake as he one of the best in the game. Not even close.
5 - Miami - Mario Chalmers
Edge to Jack here too although Wade is often the main distributor.
6 - Milwaukee - Brandon Jennings
They are not that far apart at this stage of their respective careers but Jennings has more natural talent and immense potential and will undoubtedly surpass Jack if he hasn't already.
7 - Charlotte - DJ Augustin
If I have to explain this one then you are probably on the wrong website.
8 - Chicago - Derrick Rose
Miles ahead of Jack.
So my point is that Jack is a more than adequate option to run our team providing we surround him with the same talent level the above teams have. Now, getting that level of talent is the tricky part but this idea that until we get a great top ten point guard we are destined to struggle is completely nonsensical. Having a dominant point guard is great but not a necessity. If you look at the NBA champions of the millennium (Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, Celtics, Heat) only the Pistons with Billups had a point guard that they relied on to dominate the game. Parker has always been a key to the Spurs success but never more than a third option on offense. Rondo was the fourth option on that Celtics team that won and the best player on the team that lost.
Jack is never going to be an All-Star but he is a point guard that can give you 12ppg, 6 apg, and plays average defense. That is the kind of player that can be an integral part of a championship team and not someone we should be rushing to move. At least that's how this Jerk sees it.
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