Quaterbacks vs. Point Guards

[Sachin]

I was thinking about this during a boring meeting this morning, so forgive me if it's disjointed.

After watching lots of games over the past 10 years, I've realized there are, IMHO, two types of "playmakers".

One is the Quarterback: He starts the play and sets things in motion. He generally manages the flow of the play but rarely makes the final, incisve move that leads to a goal. He may do so occasionally, but most of the time, he gets out there and gets the ball from the back line, brings it up and then moves it ahead for others to finish the play. His job is to see the field and make the right play. Obviously, Reyna fits this mold for us.

The other type is the Point Guard: This type of play maker is the opposite. He does make initiate the final, finishing sequence, but plays a much higher-risk, higher-reward game. He's at his best from 30 yards from goal to the goal line. His job is not to dictate the flow of the game, but to push it. His job is to see the opportunity to strike and make the right play. Donovan is the best we have at this, but the Brazilians rule the world at this position.

Some players: Zidane, Figo, etc., can combine both aspects.

So what other options do we have? Are my views even close to being on target or should I just stick to drinking beer and leading songs?

Sachin

[_Wheels_]

I agree, Donovan is by far our best "Point Guard." Unfortunately, he's been playing more like a "Quarterback" lately.

[Indiana Jones]

A more accurate description would be the difference between a scrum-half and a fly-half. :rolleyes:

[careerender]

Reyna immediately comes to mind with the Quarterback description. \

Playmaker? Donovan, sure. But watching DMB's results with PSV shows he's a playmaker too. JOB and Lewis sortof fit that mold as well. Si?

[InnocentBystander]

Maybe so... Reyna plays like a quarterback, but until recently we expected him to play like a point guard. Donovan plays like a point guard, but his German club expects him to be a quarterback. That just leads to frustration.

I used to think Donovan's weakness was that he disappeared for stretches of a match, but it was also his strength. One of his best skills is change of pace. I don't mean just physical quickness, which he has lots of, but the ability to lay low, then make a quick run or pass. At least that was often Donovan's style as a forward in MLS. Bayer Leverkusen is going to be disappointed if they expect Donovan to carry their team as a #10 in the midfield. His game depends on picking and choosing his spots.

The last US friendly against Mexico was different - he really asserted himself as the focus of our offense, more of a quarterback. Maybe his game is really changing. Not clear yet what kind of player Landon really is.

[Haole]

LD was pushing it pretty good agst. El Tri last time I saw and, his role should be more the point guard type. Claudio has tended to slow things down, his tendencies seem to be to play the high-precentage move or else (often, these days) to crack it back to the backline and start over.

In this transition period from CR to LD I much prefer LD take those riskier moves and trust our speed can make up for what he lacks in quality.

LD looks more and more to me like Totti and, that ain't bad. I just hope we develop some more attacking quality in the middle to take the pressure off LD who seems, at times, to get out of sync w. the attack and drifts about a bit too much.

[Adam Zebrowski]

I'd agree with the model...

quarterbacks tend to hang more deeply than the point guard, where penetration and dealing off the weaknesses caused from the penetration is more the point guard functionality...

I do wonder about vision though and how it plays into the the play making role...

for a QB, there's more structure is reading the progressions, while a point guard can be more free form...

once a QB's progression breaks down, then the vision needed to make ad hoc plays is critical, and in this sense vision, seeing things, begins to be more point guard like...

still I see qb being far MORE structured than playing point guard, and I think this means playing a point is more like soccer...

jason kidd played soccer growing up and may account for some of his approach to playing basketball

[NBlue]

Based on your description, I'd define Mike Vick as more of a point guard than a quarterback. :)