Point forward - Definition and Overview

Point forward is a slang term in basketball for players who share the best attributes of both a point guard and a forward. The use of bigger skilled players to create mismatches was developed by offensive mastermind Don Nelson as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. In addition, the 6'9" Magic Johnson, though not a "Point Forward" himself, ushered in the use of bigger, forward-sized players at the point guard position by showing coaches the advantages of that type of player. The first actual point forward was Paul Pressey of Nelson's 1970s Bucks, and he was soon followed by the very versatile John Johnson, who played for the Seattle Supersonics in the late 1970s. However, players in the role were few and far-between until Scottie Pippen popularized it with the Chicago Bulls of the late 1980s. He was sculpted into the position by teammate and fellow all-time great Michael Jordan and secured his position as on the 50 greatest player of all-time, combining great athleticism with scoring, passing and the ability to defend the oppositions best player, including the opposing point guard as he demonstrated in the 1991 NBA Finals flustering Magic Johnson. After Pippen, many players emerged as being versatile enough to take on a Point Forward's role. Grant Hill formerly of the Detroit Pistons currently with the Orlando Magic picked up the torch in the mid 1990's becoming one of the most versatile, athletic and talented basketball players in the history of the game with his combination of size, strength, quickness and skill. Point forwards today include LeBron James, Antoine Walker and Mike Dunleavy, Jr.