Position Preview: PG should be a strength for NC State

Position: Point Guard
Players: Markell Johnson, Lavar Batts Jr

Strengths: Pure speed. Ability to create chaos and find the open man. Aggressive and able to score when needed. Ability to play in-control at full throttle. Lock down defenders.

Weaknesses: Lack of experience. Both struggle shooting from long range.

A look at Gottfried’s shoot-first PG era
Cat Barber and Dennis Smith Jr were both elite level talents. Both were 5-star players and both led the Wolfpack in scoring. However, neither found team success when they were forced to put the load on their shoulders. That isn’t a knock on Barber or Smith Jr, it’s honestly just a combination of the times changing and a coach who mismanaged his talent. Let me explain.

Study great teams and they usually have one thing in common; a great PG. But, wait a second, ‘great PG’ means a lot of things to a lot of people. When I say great point guard, I mean it in the old-school way. A great point guard can score when they have to, but they are aware it’s not their priority.

They are on the floor to make everyone around them better. They should know their teammate’s strengths and help them get the ball in good position to be successful. They should understand the pace that the coach wants them playing and help dictate it on the court. A great PG is great at situational thinking, understanding what his team needs and when. He understands time management and is able to motivate and lead his teammates.

Cat Barber was basically an undersized 2 guard with a handle. Smith was more of a PG, but was a freshman and lacked experience. Both guys were laser-focused on putting the ball in the hoop and neither one made anyone around them better. That changes this season…

2017, the year of the playmaking PG
This year will be a lot different. This year you have Markell Johnson and Lavar Batts Jr. Two guys who are very similar in skillset. Both guys can score, but neither guy is a ‘scorer.’ These are guys who love to attack and are looking to make plays. Maybe it’s a dump off to a big in traffic, or maybe it’s a drive and kick to a shooter, or maybe the lane opens up and it’s a dunk. At the end of the day, this is the style of PG that keeps morale high, keeps teammates happy, puts wins in the win column.

Johnson and Batts are going to see a lot of floor time together and this is going to be a major strength for NC State.
These guys are both lightning quick, physical and able to operate at breakneck speeds without turning it over. This is going to allow NC State to really push the tempo and create havoc for opposing defenses. Not many teams in the ACC are going to have two guards who keep up with both of these guys.  So what’s the knock?

Keatts has been in the media letting everyone know that he is expecting a ton from Markell Johnson. Not just is he asking him to play full throttle for 30-35 minutes, he’s also asking him to learn how to lead. This is where the NC State point guards may struggle. Johnson is a sophomore and Batts if a freshman. Neither guy has any ACC floor time as a leader, but Keatts understands that if this team wants to win, they will need a floor leader.

The Takeaway:
NC State has lethal talent at the point. They will be fun to watch and will help everyone on this team reach their full potential, but the question remains if they have enough leadership to make waves in this league.