Editing Point guard (section)

{{short description|Basketball position}}
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{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
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[[Image:Magic_Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Magic Johnson]], regarded as one of the greatest point guards in [[NBA]] history, in 1987]]

The '''point guard''' ('''PG'''), also called the '''one''' or the '''point''', is one of the [[Basketball positions|five positions]] in a regulation [[basketball]] game.

A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position and is usually the shortest player on the court. Point guards are expected to control the pace of the game. They effectively "run" the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time. Generally, point guards are expected to be proficient in passing the ball and being able to get [[Assist (basketball)|assists]] to teammates. In a [[pick and roll]] offense, the point guard typically moves off of screens to facilitate the ball to a [[Power forward|big]]. Likewise, point guards can also shoot off of screens if given separation. In transition, the point guard must be able to pass and handle the ball without committing excessive turnovers. Defensively, the point guard is generally responsible for guarding above the [[Key (basketball)|key]] on the perimeter.

Above all, the point guard must understand and accept their coach's game plan; in this way, the position can be compared to the position of [[quarterback]] in [[gridiron football]]. They must also be able to adapt to what the defense is allowing and must control the pace of the game.