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Message: [QUOTE="Bone Dog, post: 5081038, member: 12088"] Maybe it dates me, but when I think of the PGs I watched growing up what sticks in my mind is that they have a lot more responsibility than just bringing the ball up the court or driving and dishing. Yes, they initiate the offense. But even on the offensive end of the floor they are also minding the defensive side. [LIST] [*]A long rebound on a missed shot or a live-ball turnover is their responsibility to get back on defense for. They are the first line of defense against the opponent's transition game. [*]This is what I mean when I say the PG is responsible for maintaining floor balance. It she dives to the basket on pick-and-roll or similar play, they have to make sure someone else takes over at the top of the key, even if they make the layup. [*]And on the defensive end of the court, they are typically tasked with defending the opposing PG. These are extremely high energy players, maybe more than any other on the team. [*]They also tend to be the loudest player on the floor. This was one of Nika's super powers. And just an observation from my youth: quiet teams tend to lose. The PG is the motivator, the floor general, the organizer, and the visionary. [/LIST] There is nothing about this position that would be restful for Paige. It is most suited to "Energizer Bunnies" like KK and Kaitlyn (and Morgan), and Kelis starting next year. These kids have energy to burn. Exactly! Paige can certainly play PG, and may well do so at the next level. But we've all seen what happens at this level when she takes this much control of a game: the team watches her and the motion offense becomes stagnant. This happened a lot her freshman year. When Geno said "the team plays better with Nika on the floor," one thing he may have meant is that there's less Paige-watching. Even this season there was still Paige-watching especially in the high pressure games, and this is to be expected with a lot of freshmen in the lineup. Geno can minimize this by having other PG options besides Paige, and this is exactly what he will have this season. Put KK or Kaitlyn at PG, and station Paige at one wing and Ash or Azzi at the other and no one will be cheating into the paint to double up Jana and Ice or Sarah. That is, Paige influences opposing defenses even when she doesn't have the ball. Just a tangent, but I remember this series like it was yesterday. Azzi was the youngest player on the floor and yet she was awesome. And that summer and the next, Jordan Horston was unleashed, launching her into D1 WBB. I think the presence of other great players really opened up the floor for her. And she was a demon on defense. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach