Every basketball team needs complementary parts to become a total and whole ball club. Without these complementary parts, a basketball team would not be able to run properly nor function very well with these players having and knowing their roles as part of a job. When they have a function as part of a team, all systems are go. There's no stopping a basketball team that has players who know their roles. It's a team game, not an individual's accolade. Here are the sums of those little parts that make up the whole.
The Point Guard - This guy here is the decision maker, the floor general, the leader of the court. He makes the choices who decides who gets to score the basketball and it is his job to get the ball to that teammate. He must be very good at ball-handling as he will have the rock all the time. To handle and pass the ball really well, he must have a good assist-to-turnover ratio. He must also have excellent court vision so he knows where his teammates are at all times. He's in charge of his squad and he has to set the tone for which teammate he must set up to get that jump shot or layup. Other additional, enviable traits for a point guard are scoring ability, rebounding, stealing, and blocking. Otherwise, if you have a point guard that knows how to pass first and shoot second, you're in good shape for your basketball team.
The Shooting Guard - A perimeter threat, the shooting guard is the team's best primary scorer and first option on offense. He is the best backcourt player you have to have on your team. He is counted on to shoot the basketball with tremendous accuracy and find ways to create his own shots to make layups as well. He could be arguably the quickest player on the court because he is a first-rate scorer. The shooting guard is relied on for his offense mostly. If you have a shooting guard who can contribute in other areas of the basketball such as rebounding, stealing, or blocking shots as well as scoring, you have a combo guard who can be a triple-threat and ultimately, be the unstoppable force for his team.
The Small Forward - One of two forwards, the small forward is the quickest and the most athletic of all the five positions on the floor. This player has the ability to create matchup problems for the team's opponent. Whether it be a player who has quickness and ball-handling skills for a 6-9, 6-10, 6-11 player or has bionic strength, those would be attributes that no basketball coach knows how to defend with proper care. The small forward is usually like the shooting guard, one that knows how to score effectively and at times, defend the perimeter like there's no tomorrow. Other attributes that the small forward can have is rebounding ability and/or defensive intensity. This forward is usually the second scoring option to go to, once the shooting guard is shut down.
The Power Forward - On the other forward slot, this bruiser is a workhorse. This is one who roams the paint and tries to outmuscle his opponent for loose rebounds and tries to block shots. He can be a low-post defender, although his primary mode is to score paint points for his team. The easy points underneath the basket. Traits that could make an impressive power forward is shooting ability, especially from three-point land and quickness and agility and focused defensive intensity. There is no player other than the power forward who is able to set the tone for his team by using his muscles to get around the basket to free up rebounds and get garbage points.
The Center - The pivot man, the center is the largest player on the court. Often, he is the team's slowest player. His primary moving force is for defensive and offensive purposes. He can provide a sizeable presence in the paint to intimidate smaller perimeter players who may try to dribble and score close to the basket. In the lane, the center is used to block and deflect all kinds of close shots at the basket. On offense, he may prove to be clumsy handling the basketball, although when in good position, he can catch and put up a shot in the basket. Offensively, he is limited because his skills require him to be a defensive force. There are very few centers who are able to contribute very well on both the offensive and defensive end. There are lots of centers who are able to rebound and defend, and on occasion score points.
Sixth Man - This basketball player is often the first one to come off the bench. He replaces one of the five players on the court. This player usually is the energizer, the one who gives the team a boost in scoring or provides defensive intensity. You need one of those players who is able to play like a starter and play starter-like minutes. When one of the starting five may be injured, he may have the option to start.
Seventh Man - You have to have a seventh man as part of your rotation, one who can provide an offensive and defensive spark on both ends of the floor. Like the sixth man, this player is able to help his team function solidly as a unit together. He can be a reliable option for the third scoring option, once the two scoring options are gone.
Eighth Man - This player fills out the bench as a benchwarmer, keeping one of the starter's seats. One of the bench players, usually the eighth man, can fill in as a spot-up shooter or a reliable passer. Often the eighth man will provide defense purposes as well.
Ninth Man - This player fills out the bench as a benchwarmer, as well, keeping one of the starter's seats. This bench player will help out the team with his rebounding and defensive tenacity.
Tenth Man - This player will be a backup to one of the starters and will ultimately be a starter once one of the starting five is injured. This bench player will help out as being a future starter one day on the basketball team.
Eleventh Man - This player rounds out the team by being a substitute for the starters. This particular bench player will be able to provide team morale and help out the team with little tid bits of offensive and defensive skills.
Twelfth Man - This player rounds out the team by being a substitute for the starters, like the eleventh man. This bench player will help the team by giving out team support and will provide the team with a lift with his offensive and defensive skills.
