Fansided

North Carolina has quietly become the NBA’s point guard factory

By Dre Elder

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 29: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on March 29, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 29: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on March 29, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of North Carolina? If you’re a history hotshot, perhaps it’s the Wright brothers. It’s probably Petey Pablo. If you dwell in decadence, then it could be Krispy Kreme. Music mavens think of rapper J. Cole. While some culinary connoisseurs point to the well-renowned barbecue. Maybe it’s NASCAR, the Biltmore Estate or the Outer Banks. The infamous “bathroom bill” registers in the minds of many. And what about that Michael Jordan guy? Regardless of what you currently associate the state with, let this next line marinate. North Carolina is the NBA’s topflight point guard factory.

Five. That’s the number of point guards from North Carolina currently playing in the NBA. Four are starters. Three are perennial All-Stars. Two are arguably the best point guards in their respective conferences. And one is a two-time champion and league MVP. Hence, the difficulty one will encounter trying to disprove the larger point here. Surely, no other state can match a group including Chris Paul, John Wall, Steph Curry, Ish Smith and Dennis Smith Jr.

Paul, a Winston-Salem native, is an all-time great floor general of yesterday. While, Wall (Raleigh) and Curry (Charlotte) embody the evolution at the position as the stars of today. Smith is the lone backup, but was once thought to be better than Curry during their prep days in the Charlotte area. (Back then, Steph was just Dell Curry’s son). And finally, Smith Jr. is a confident rookie with freakish athleticism and poise for days. The Fayetteville native looks like the point guard of tomorrow. But, there’s no need to dream when there’s validation in the present reality.

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The Washington Wizards travel to Oakland to clash with the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, pitting Steph Curry and John Wall against each other for the 13th time in their careers. The Warriors are 9-3 against the Wizards in the previous 12 meetings. Presently, Curry and Wall both are All-NBA performers. Both are perennial All-Stars. And as you know, both are from North Carolina. Well, the similarities end there. In other words, their individual games and paths to the league starkly contrast one another.

Long before Curry became the NBA’s first unanimous MVP, he was virtually unknown beyond the Charlotte metro area. You’ve heard stories about how all the big time coaches overlooked him. However, you may not know Curry was overshadowed on the high school basketball scene within his own city. Three and four-star prospects littered Charlotte from 2004-06. Among those was current Detroit Pistons backup point guard, Ish Smith. Smith received more attention from colleges and local media than Curry. He was the popular choice for best point guard in the area for the class of 2006. Meanwhile, Curry chose his only Division I option and began rewriting the story.

John Wall’s basketball story began in a city two and a half hours northeast of the setting for Curry’s. In 2007, Wall was cut from a local Raleigh high school for misusing his passion. Then, he began his ascent at Word of God Christian Academy in 2008. Consequently, Wall and Curry became nationally known around the same time. Curry used a paranormal shooting ability to win the masses. Wall unleashed a barrage of speed, size, and intensity to become the nation’s best high school point guard. Curry grew up with a father who played in the NBA. Wall was eight years old when his father died of cancer.

Again, there is great disparity in how both players came to be in their respective positions. Perhaps it’s fitting they star on opposite coasts. Now, it’s Steph Curry commanding the attention and accolades that escaped him over a decade ago. Conversely, John Wall is fighting for position in the debate about the NBA’s elite point guards. Nonetheless, both are pillars of pride for fans from “The Tar Heel State.” They represent its two largest cities. And both are just hitting the prime of their careers.

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Ultimately, the task is simple. Throw away whatever you associated with North Carolina before reading this article. Except for Krispy Kreme because that would be uncivilized. Chris Paul. Steph Curry. John Wall. Dennis Smith Jr. And yes, even Ish Smith. Could you put together a lineup of five current NBA point guards to beat them? How about five from the same state? It’s unlikely.

Ball really is life here. So, now when you mention North Carolina, put some respect on it.

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