“I don't want to be a point guard, or a two-guard, I want people to think of me as "creative", I just want to create on the court.” - “The Answer," b.k.a. “Bubba Chuck.”
The point guard, or the floor general, is essential to a team's success. A great point guard controls the pace of the game and the emotional swings of his team. Great point guards have mastered the art of communication. In a limited period of time, they can relay a message with very few words. They read emotions and react. They utilize dead ball situations and timeouts to seek tutelage and make adjustments. As they go, so shall the team .
Below is an article within our feature series titled, "The Floor General." During the series we will link with countless point guards to pick their brains and see what makes today's point guard tick. Next up is Morris Catholic guard Mimi Rubino. --By Christian Mordi @thedribbledrop on Instagram and Twitter.
TheDribbleDrop: If you were to use one word to describe your playing style, what would it be and why?
Mimi Rubino: I would say a cerebral scorer. I used to play shooting guard primarily, but this year my coach moved me over to the point guard spot. The move has been challenging my basketball IQ a lot and I have loved the journey. The transition to point has allowed me to be more of a floor general and dictate whats going on on the floor more.
I consider the move to point similar to James Harden moving to the point spot for Houston. He’s a lefty too so he’s someone I watch constantly and pick up things from his game.
TheDribbleDrop:Tell me one facet of your game your worked hard to improve on this off-season that you wanted to take to another level?
Mimi Rubino: This past off season after the last live period, when I got back a lot of the comments I heard about my game was that people considered me more of a three point shooter. Going into the late summer and fall I spent a lot of time adding scoring on different levels to my game to improve the balance in how I score. In college, I know I will need that for sure, as it will make me more versatile and valuable.
TheDribbleDrop: Everyone uses the words “pace and tempo” when discussing their point guard. What do you think is the ideal “pace” to play at for today’s young player?
Mimi Rubino: i think it depends on who you are playing and who you are playing with. A good player has to evaluate that fast and early in a game and then decide how they want the game to look. You always want to play a speed that plays to your advantage.
TheDribbleDrop:Tell me the best piece of advice you got from a coach, fellow teammate or an older player that plays the point guard spot that pushed your game to another level.
Mimi Rubino: A coach once told me, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” There may be days you come to play and your shot may not be falling, but there are other aspects of the game that you may be able to help your team. There are many different ways you can help your team win outside of putting the ball in the basket. No one can dictate your effort or impact on the game more than you.
TheDribbleDrop: Playing point guard often comes with a bit of sacrifice offensively in regards to shots, but what happens when you are the best player on your team and they rely on your scoring? How do you provide that balance?
Mimi Rubino: Going from the two to the one can take away your shot attempts a bit, but you learn to score and impact the game in a variety of new ways. You have to have a full grasp of the offense and feel for the game to know how and when to attack your opponet within the flow of the game.
TheDribbleDrop: In order to be a floor general, people have to want to follow you. If I’m a coach recruiting you and the star center is there listening, what would you say to sell yourself as a leader and a good teammate.
Mimi Rubino: Well I would begin by selling myself as a good teammate. I would start by saying how hard I’m going to work everyday. My motor will never be questioned. I’m going to work very hard everyday.
TheDribbleDrop: The WNBA and NBA has seen an explosion of hybrid point / combo guards. Do you think that is where the game will be in the next couple of years? More Chris Paul / Sue Bird or more Russell Westbrook / Tiffany Hayes type of guards?
Mimi Rubino: Well I think more of the Westbrook route. Point guards are becoming more explosive and scoring constantly. I see a player like Chris Paul as more of a pass first player, which is fine. What I see now more though is point guard that are on the attack constantly. Guards that attack the rim. Set the tone by scoring more and then opening things up.