Is Ivey Really A PG?
As many have noted, Ivey’s value will be much higher if he can play the PG spot in the NBA. But is he really a PG?
He has the handle. It’s not a plus skill now, but it is easy to imagine him working hard enough to build it far beyond what is now just a competent handle. He has the quickness and speed necessary to guard almost any PG in the league. His shot could be described similarly to his handle: competent, but with a clear indication that it could be the foundation of an elite skill.
The question is whether he actually thinks like a PG.
He is not playing that role at Purdue. In fact, when he gets the ball in the backcourt, he typically hands it off to the team’s primary ball handler and then begins to find his spot in the offensive end. And once he gets the ball, he zeroes in on the basket and that hint of tunnel vision flashes. Once he gets the ball and squares up, there is only one thing on his mind: beating his man and getting to the basket. Occasionally, he’ll toss up a jumper or move the ball to an open man. But most often, especially when he has that flow to his game, his eyes are locked on the rim and the lane and you can see him mapping his best route to the basket.
When he does attempt to play the distributor/PG role he seems just a wee bit mechanical. He is static, standing at the top of the key, scanning the floor. He’s not making those jet-fast bursts, passing off the dribble, scaring the heck out of opponents and sending them rocking back on their heels.
His passes are usually bail-out dimes in the lane, after it’s clear he cannot get to his preferred spot, either at the basket or in the lane. He makes some good passes and passes that set up his teammates for easy baskets, but they don’t really happen in the flow of the offense. They are afterthoughts that sometimes surprise even his teammates.
Ivey really thinks and plays like a 2 guard or a combo guard who would have the ability to slide over to the 1, for short periods. Not a damning description, but definitely one that limits use at the NBA level. That reality will limit the teams that will be able to employ him, most effectively.
The Pistons could easily pair him with their big PG, Cade Cunningham and most of the problems associated with having a smaller player at the 2 would be non-existent. But there are lots of teams with smaller or average-sized PGs who would be challenged to run their PG with a smaller 2 like Ivey, even if he’s an uber-athletic version like Ivey. The Portland Trailblazers’ Dame & CJ show illustrated the difficulties of running such a small backcourt pair.
Of course, Ivey could continue to grow and expand his game and evolve into a player who works more as a PG. He seems like a smart guy who’s open to coaching and will grow as any elite player improves with more experience. The bigger question is going to be whether he ever flows like an elite distributor/PG as he manages his way through games. And the answer to that question will determine just how valuable a player Ivey will be at the NBA level.