This of course takes a commitment from the point guard but also the head coach in terms of teaching and developing. I really enjoyed an article by Genaro Armas of the Associated Press which details some of the growth and development of the point guard position at Marquette.
My question to you as a coach is what are you doing to cultivate the development of your point guards? Are you meeting with them on an individual basis? Are you having video sessions to talk about what's going on at practice and games? Do you show them video of other point guards (pro and college) so they can see what it is that you want? Do they fully and completely understand your expectations? Do you have open conversations -- meaning that you are taking the time to listen to him/her -- so that you understand them better (not just on the court but off)? Do you have your point guard's back?
Here are some excerpts from that article (you can read it all here):
Want to be the point guard at No. 17 Marquette? Get used to the pressure.
The Golden Eagles open the season Friday night against Southern with Wilson presumably inheriting the point guard job held more than capably last season by Junior Cadougan.
"You've got to be one of the hardest working guys on the team every day," Wilson said. "You've got to be ready every day, mentally and physically. It's a hard thing to explain."
Last month at the team's media day, on the day preseason practice started, coach Buzz Williams talked at length of building trust with Wilson. It's a natural inclination given the point guard position is often considered the coach's eyes and ears on the floor.
Especially with four freshmen joining a team picked by Big East coaches to win the reconfigured conference.
"You've got to make sure that people are where they're supposed to be," Wilson said. "I know I may know it, but I know the other kids may not know it. I'm speaking up for them."
"He's trying really hard, wanting to do right. He's starting to ask quarterback-like questions, like 'When this happens, what am I supposed to do,'" Williams said.
"I think it takes a lot of pressure off all the guards," Derrick Wilson said about the presence in the frontcourt.
Williams said the only starter that he's settled on for Friday night is Otule. Otherwise the other spots are up in the air — though really Derrick Wilson seems like the only true option at the point.
Just like in practice.
"Change the team, change the lineup, mix and match: Derrick's team wins," Williams said.
