Basketball positions: Point Guard

In the game of basketball each team is represented by 5 players on the court at once. Each player is listed down under a position. The 5 positions are: Point guard (PG), Shooting Guard (SG), Small Forward (SF), Power Forward (PF), and Center (C). These fall under the category of Guards, Forwards, and Centers. The Guards compose the "Backcourt" of a team, and the Forwards and Centers  compose the "Frontcourt" of the team. The positions are also known as 1,2,3,4, and 5. In this section we talk about the point guard or the 1.

Magic Johnson orchestrating the offense

The point Guard is traditionally the primary ball handler also known as the "1". It is generally perceived as the hardest position out of the five. They are tasked with initiating and orchestrating the offense. A point guard is characterized as having a coach on the floor, they run the plays established by the coaching staff and control the tempo of the game. Usually point guards are the smallest players on the floor (but not always). Because of their lack of size they are generally fast and must have a very good outside jumpshot (But not always). Point guards are known to dominate the "assists" and "steals" category.
The most important skill a point guard must have is ball handling, to ward off defenders while setting up offense. Court vision is also deemed as one of the most important aspects a point guard must have, to be able to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates. While point guards are generally small compared to the other position players, point guards who have size are sought out for because of the advantage they provide. Speed is also an important factor for a point guard, it allows him to create the separation and space needed to run the offense. Point guards must be able to stay in control under pressure situations and must be very vocal on the floor. They must also be able to score, a point guard who cannot score is limited and will hurt his team. If the PG cant score, defenses will start focusing on the other players on the court and it will be harder for the point guard to put teammates in scoring position.
On the offensive side of the court the point guard usually receives the ball after every made basket or rebound to either set up offense or begin the fast break.  A key to being a good point guard is limiting turnovers, point guards must have a low assist to turnover ratio, meaning that he gets a lot of assist and little to no turnovers a game.
Over the years the point guard positions has evolved, John Stockton is the all time assist leader and was a pass first point guard who could score as well but his main priority was distributing the basketball.
Magic Johnson played in the 1980's and he is the NBA's all time assist per game leader, but he was by no means an "ordinary" point guard. Point guard's by average are between 5-10 and 6-2, Magic Johnson was 6-8 and with extraordinary court vision, and used his size to pass over everybody and make passes seemingly impossible for shorter guards.
Steve Nash was perhaps the best and purest point guard out of his generation, is known for his incredible play making ability and never picking up his dribble or passing the ball while being off his feet. He is neither athletic or fast, but his shooting ability is second to none, and his vision and ball handling are ELITE, which has allowed him to average double digit assist number well after the age of 35.

Steve Nash throwing a No Look pass

While the point guard position is suppose to be a "pass first" position, now a days some point guards have changed the role of the lead guard. Derrick Rose in Chicago is the definition of such, he is the point guard but happens to be the team's leading scorer and takes the majority of the team's shots. Now a days we see more and more point guards who are more  scorers than passers. Russell Westbrook for the Oklahoma City Thunder also happens to be a "shoot first" point guard because they need his scoring. These guards still get assists, but none of them average double digit assist numbers and are all high volume shooters looking to create scoring opportunities first for themselves and then for teammates.
On the defensive end of the court, the point guard  generally guards a perimeter player, his job is to wreck havoc and make it uncomfortable for the opposing player to establish offense or get to the rim. He applies pressure on the opposing player in hopes of making him turn the ball over. Gary Payton nicknamed "the glove" is considered one of the greatest defensive players to have ever played the game, and is the only point guard to have ever won the defensive player of the year award.
point guards who have size also have the ability to match up with other players who aren't necessarily point guards but who are more of a threat and have superior height. A defensive point guard will also try to play the passing lanes to generate steals and fast break opportunities.
among notable point guards we can find: Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo.