The Golden State Warriors, led by Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry, are promoting the concept of "positionless basketball" in the NBA. However, former player Gilbert Arenas recently challenged the claim, sparking a debate over the true meaning and implications of the term.

Arenas' Position On the "No Chill" podcast, Arenas argued that true positionless basketball requires the flexibility of multiple players to play different roles. Using Curry as an example, he pointed out that while Curry excels in the point guard role, he cannot effectively play center. Similarly, he mentioned Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, emphasizing that not every player on the Warriors can truly be considered "positionless."

Arenas' Definition: In Arenas' opinion, only one player on each team embodies the true meaning of positionless basketball: a big man who can dribble, shoot and defend multiple positions, or a wing player who can do the same. It's this flexibility, he argues, that makes teams dynamic and unpredictable, rather than just having a few players who specialize in traditional roles.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Positionless basketball has been around for a while, with teams such as the LeBron James-led Miami Heat led by Erik Spoelstra employing the tactic. However, the Warriors have pushed the concept to the forefront with the versatility of Draymond Green and the incredible shooting ability of Curry.

The Case for Curry: While Arenas argues that Curry is not a positionless player, it's worth noting that Curry's shooting range and ball-handling ability blurs the lines of a traditional point guard. He can initiate offense, create scoring opportunities for himself and others, and use his speed and athleticism to defend multiple positions.

The debate continues: the Arenas argument raises interesting questions about the definition and application of "positionless basketball." Is it better to have just one all-around player, or is it a more well-rounded approach that requires multiple players to play different roles? This debate will likely continue as teams continue to experiment with different tactics and player combinations.

BEYOND THE DEBATE: As interesting as the debate over positionless basketball is, the Warriors have more pressing issues to address. Their recent struggles have highlighted the need for a better rotation, and perhaps even a rotation shakeup before the trade deadline.