Three big future trends in basketball

Whether it’s wings that can defend all five positions or seven footers with guards skills, the state of basketball has never been more fun to watch.  Below are three emerging trends in basketball.

Hybrid Wings

The hybrid wing: players that are between 6’6” to 6’9 in height, 205 lbs to 235 lbs. will become increasingly important in NBA basketball.  

Offensively Hybrid Wings

• Shoot efficiently from 3
• Attack closeouts and finish at the rim
• Certified “bucket getter”
• Efficient Pick and Roll Handler

Defensively Hybrid Wings

• Defend multiple positions
• Helps with rebounding
• Help protect the rim
• Ball hawks to get steals
• Switchability minimizes rotations thus reducing mistakes

Examples of Hybrid Wings:

Lebron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Proliferation of Apex Wings

An Apex Wing is a player that is 6’10 or above with guard skills.  

Apex Wings are long wiry seven footers with the agility, handle and shot making ability of guards. Virtually impossible to defend, they can get anywhere on the court and use their length to rise over anyone, even athletic Hybrid Wings.  Soon every team could have at least one.

Apex Wings:

Kevin Durant, 610”

Giannis Antetokounmpo, 6’11”

Kristaps Porzingas, 7’3”

Evan Mobley, 6’11”

Chet Holmgren, 7’2”

Jabari Smith, 6’11”

Aleksej Pokusevski, 7’0”

Victor Wembanyama, 7’4”

Durability is the main concern for Apex Wings.  Many seem to have difficulty with the grueling nature of the 82 game NBA season.  It remains to be seen if medicine, physical training, strength and conditioning can lower the risk of injury in these unique players.  

Point Guard Extinction

When a team is filled with Apex Wings and Hybrid Wings today’s smaller point guards will be challenged to be productive.  Defenses that switch everything will make it difficult to hunt slow footed bigs or even small players that can be bullied.  As Hybrid Wings become more skilled ball handlers, the need for the classic floor general will be diminished.  

Defensively, playing against a team of Hybrid and Apex Wings who will the classic point guard defend?  Soon the ball screen hunter will be the hunted.  Good luck with that defensive efficiency.

Well what about how effective Chris Paul has been?  Or Stephen Curry?  Every team will not be able to find a Hall of Fame level point guard.  How many more Magic Johnson’s, John Stockton’s and Steven Nash’s are out there?  

Looking toward the future, I’ll put my money on evolution.

What do you think?

Until next time.

Damon Burris