Conventional thought in evaluating college basketball teams is that point guard is the most important position on the floor. This postseason, you can extend that notion to the NBA. Nearly every team still alive has made a key change at the point within the last two years that is paying off.
Chauncey Billups (Denver) » Trading away a malcontent, Allen Iverson, and getting a willing star in hometown hero Billups, was a masterstroke for the Nuggets. Still in his prime at age 32, Billups averaged 22.6 points per game, matching Chris Paul (22.8) shot for shot in the Denver’s surprisingly decisive 4-1 playoff victory over New Orleans.
Aaron Brooks (Houston) » Dealing starting point guard Rafer Alston to Orlando was an indication that the Rockets were playing for the future. But it also said they trusted Brooks, a second-year man from Oregon, to handle the position now. The 6-foot waterbug averaged 15.3 points per game in Houston’s 4-2 series win over Portland.
Jose Juan Barea (Dallas) » Trading for Jason Kidd wasn’t the answer for Dallas last season. But this year, pairing him in the backcourt with Barea, a third-year man from Northeastern, has worked. The tenacious, 6-footer has covered for Kidd’s lack of quickness, dealing with swiftees such as Tony Parker in the first round.
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Mike Bibby (Atlanta) » Getting Bibby in a deadline deal last year gave the young Hawks the backcourt veteran they needed to end the NBA’s longest string of non-playoff seasons (eight). Now, Atlanta has gone a step further, advancing to the East semifinals.
Mo Williams (Cleveland) » Some say the real point guard in Cleveland is LeBron James. But this can’t be argued: All-Star Williams was the biggest difference in the Cavaliers’ improvement from 45 to 66 wins as he helped open the floor for James by hitting 43.8 percent from 3-point range and averaging 17.8 points per game.
Rafer Alston (Orlando) » Replacing injured All-Star Jameer Nelson, Alston has been better than anyone could have expected from a career 38.6 percent shooter. The Magic are 24-11 with Alston at the point after going 32-10 with Nelson.
Rajon Rondo (Boston) » After Rondo struggled, especially with his shot, as a rookie, the Celtics made him the starter at the beginning of last season and haven’t regretted it. In addition to emerging as a defensive force, Rondo shot 50.5 percent from the floor, the top figure among NBA point guards.
