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[mvossman]

I have learned over the past year that there's a huge discrepancy in this community about just how terms like "wing," and "positionless basketball" are used and understood. I believe these concepts are thought to make communication easier around here, but I've noticed that they're actually the cause of quite a bit of misunderstanding. 

For example, when I think "wing" I absolutely include the 2 (off-guard) with that brush. In fact, from a traditional basketball perspective, I think that term used to mean players whose positions were 2 or 3. I believe many people include the 4 in that blanket these days, too. But, that gets confusing, I think, because Kleber (just an example) can certainly play the 4, but I wouldn't really consider him a "wing." Sure, having a wing big enough to man the 4 full time (thinking Durant, as an example) is a huge advantage nowadays, but I think the distinguishing characteristics are what the player brings to the position, not necessarily that the term can be used to describe any player not playing the 1 or the 5. 

I think "positionless basketball" is the most abused idea of all though. Its meaning seems to have been distorted so much by the talking heads in the media (most of whom don't really understand basketball) that we're all just pretending there aren't positions anymore. There are, of course, because each player on the court must know what position they're playing in order to know what their role is in the offensive/defensive systems. I think the term is meant to allow us to view the mix of players on the court as a mix of skills, not positions, but to me, it's an overused and misunderstood term. 

Back to your point: I agree Green is a wing. I think THJ is, too. I also agree that Ntilikina looks like a guard and has guard in his history, but the Mavs seem to be grooming him to play wing in this system, at least to me. I think his chance to handle the ball ended with his opportunity in NY.

To me the best description of a "wing" is a player that spends some time defending the 3 spot.  So guys like Timmy and Frank (due to his length) are small wings, bullock and Green are wings and Dorian is a big wing (the only one on the roster that can guard 3/4).

Maxi doesn't really guard 3s (although he probably could for spurts), so I consider him a big (especially since he played a lot of center last year).