PF · Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki
The franchise-offense version of a stretch four
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NBA archetype · Bigs
Stretch big
Stretch bigs force traditional defenders to choose between protecting the rim and honoring the perimeter. The best versions retain enough rebounding, screening and interior skill to avoid becoming specialists.
Pull the rim protector out
A power forward or center whose shooting range changes the geometry of the paint and creates driving lanes for everyone else.
This is a role family, not a rigid label. Great players can belong to more than one archetype.
01
Frontcourt shooting
02
Pick-and-pop gravity
03
Spacing at size
04
Mismatch punishment
Different expressions of the role
Representative players
C · Miami Heat
Chris Bosh
Expanded to the arc to unlock small-ball titles
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PF · Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love
Deep shooting paired with elite outlet passing
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C · Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns
Center size with high-volume three-point touch
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Continue learning the roles
Related archetypes
Organize the floor
Point guards
Pass-first point guard
The possession starts with vision: manipulate help, deliver teammates the ball on time and control tempo before hunting a shot.
Advanced court visionTempo controlPick-and-roll command
Johnson · Stockton · Nash · Rondo
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Pressure from the backcourt
Guards
Scoring guard
A lead guard whose first threat is putting points on the board from every level, forcing the defense to tilt before the pass arrives.
Self-created offenseThree-level scoringLate-clock shotmaking
Iverson · Curry · Lillard · Harden
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Score or create
Guards
Combo guard
Too dangerous to call only a point guard or shooting guard: a creator who can run the offense and become its primary scorer.
On-ball creationSecondary playmakingDownhill burst
Wade · Westbrook · Mitchell · Ginóbili
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