These point guards can make their point, too

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As most NBA observers were heralding the rebirth of the take-charge point guard this past season, Heat President Pat Riley was noting something else.

Yes, Chris Paul and Deron Williams deftly were guiding the Hornets and Jazz with their playmaking.

But they also were scoring. Scoring a lot.

Paul led New Orleans in scoring both during the regular season and playoffs.

Williams led Utah in scoring in the playoffs and was second on his team during the regular season.

"These guys are to the rim all night," Riley said.

Point guards making their own points.

It is why while many see Memphis freshman Derrick Rose as the only legitimate point guard at the top of Thursday's NBA Draft, Riley sees the possibilities of others.

It is why confidants say Riley is so intrigued by Southern Cal's O.J. Mayo, even though the Heat already has Dwyane Wade at shooting guard.

It is why Riley thinks Jerryd Bayless, after a high-scoring season at Arizona, can step in next season as a pro point guard.

"Pure point guards? That's not the way the game is being played today," Riley said as he continued deliberations over the Heat's No. 2 selection. "You take a look at Steve Nash; his head's under the rim more than anybody in the league."

For those who prefer their point guards in point-guard packages, this draft offers Texas' D.J. Augustin, the prototypical diminutive, push-the-pace playmaker.

Rose, in many respects, plays that style as well, more than content to pass up what remains a somewhat suspect jump shot. But Riley has never leaned toward pint-size points, which is why the taller Rose remains the most intriguing.

Still, the NBA has shied from even players of Rose's 6-2 1/2 stature at the top of the draft, with every No. 1 pick at least 6 feet 8 since 6-foot Allen Iverson went at the top of the 1996 draft.

This year, the draft is loaded with small-ball potential. Six players at 6-4 or shorter could be among the first 12 picks, when including Rose, Mayo, Bayless, Augustin, Indiana's Eric Gordon and UCLA's Russell Westbrook.

From that group, Mayo, Bayless, Gordon and Westbrook might, because of their stature, have to play more as playmaker than they did in college.

But Riley said the difference is it does not mean those four necessarily will have to curb their offensive inclinations, not after what Paul and Williams accomplished this past season.

Using that reasoning, it could be argued that Wade might be the Heat's answer at point guard, even though he has stated disdain for such a full-time role. As it is, Wade handles the ball as much as any Heat player in the decisive stages.

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