The Evolution of the Point Guard — From Magic to Luka

The Evolution of the Point Guard — From Magic to Luka 

The point guard position stylised as PG is also called the one or the point is one the five positions in a regular basketball game.

There’s been a variety of point guards over the years we had the likes of Steph Curry, AI and John Stockton.

Back in the 1980s, the point guard was on the court commanding respect and controlling the pace of the game, making sure that their teammates get a piece. 

Magic Johnson wasn’t just getting assists as he averaged 11.2 APG for his career. He was telling a story with his no look passes, throwing dimes like they were confetti at a Showtime parade.

Fast forward to four decades, Luka Dončić is out here changing the position with eurosteps and stepbacks. At the age 24, Luka was putting up career averages of 28.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, and 8.3 APG that’s Magic-like playmaking with Kobe-like scoring. Different eras but same domination.

But how did we get here? Who came after Magic?

After Magic, the '90s brought a swagger vibe. The point guard became a problem. Think Allen Iverson more crossover than clipboard. 

Iverson wasn’t running plays, he was the play. Iverson averaged 31.1 PPG in 2000-01 while being just 6 feet tall and 165 pounds. Around this time or during this time streetball made it to the NBA, and the game got personal.

Then came Steph Curry the greatest shooter of all time. He stretched the floor so far defenses had to guard him full court.

In 2016 alone, Curry dropped 402 threes a record that turned the league upside down. I’d say point guards were now scorers first, passers second, and movement gods all around. 

Then came Luka Dočić. He plays like a chess grandmaster in a league full of in-shape sprinters. Luka has no speed bursts, no vertical highlights, no crazy jumps just angles, timing, and court vision. 

Luka would hit you with a post-up fade, fake right then hit you with a head fake plus a bump then casually launch a 29 foot step back. His court vision is insane if you ask me. 

Magic made the game beautiful. Luka makes it unavoidable.

Let’s look at some of Luka and Magic comparisons and similarities. 

Basketball IQ

Magic had to manipulate matchups while Luka manufactures mismatches with pick-and-roll reads.

Size

Both are oversized guards Magic was 6'9" which is super tall for a guard, Luka’s 6'7".

Impact

Magic won 5 rings and he’s also a hometown hero, every corner in LA respects him. Luka is  still earning his stripes but already has multiple 40-point playoff games and averages 32.5 PPG in the postseason he’s also loved in Dallas.

The position didn’t die it changed in form. Today’s point guards stream highlights, lead brands, and drop 40 while calling plays on the spot. And Luka’s not just a part of the evolution.

He might be the next blueprint.