Ric Bucher has always liked nothing more than breaking down guards, whether it be on a
playground or on paper. Here he does it for ESPN.com. We call it "On Guards" for obvious reasons. Look for this feature each Monday. Better yet, be on guard for it.
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This week's feature guards: The Bucks' Lindsey Hunter vs. the Knicks' Erick Strickland.
There's an art to being a backup guard, especially when you've got
high-powered stars in front of you. Both Hunter and Strickland are trying to
perfect it. It took Hunter a few months to find his groove after moving from
Detroit to Milwaukee, but his last few games suggest he's found his role.
Strickland, with a few years' less experience, demonstrated Sunday that he's
still searching.
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RIC'S GUARD RANKINGS
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THE WEEK'S TOP 10
1. Kobe Bryant - Lakers are struggling, but he's not, notching first career
triple-double
2. Allen Iverson - 51 in loss to Raptors, playing conscientious D
3. Stephon Marbury - triple-double ... against the Bulls
4. Steve Francis - notched 27 points, 8 rebs and 7 assists vs. Lakers
5. John Stockton - three double-doubles in last four games
6. Jalen Rose - Made 6 of last 12 treys, evolving into Pacers' go-to guy
7. Andre Miller - Near 3:1 Asst/TO ratio is impressive on this Cavs' squad
8. Jerry Stackhouse - scored 36 and 37 in last two games, but best stat is
two-game 21:6 assists/turnovers
9. Ray Allen - Finding balance of treys and drives while still finding Sam
and Glenn
10. Eddie Jones - Attacking rim for FTs, rebs and points (24 avg. over last
three games)
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On the rise: Lindsey Hunter
(11.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 stls, .412 3-point, .404 FG, .864 FT)
He's listed as a point guard and sometimes tries to play like one, even
though his strength is spot-up shooting, especially from beyond the arc.
Playing a traditional point is not necessary with the Bucks, because George
Karl has the offense initiated as much by Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson as Sam
Cassell or Hunter. Karl also gives his players the freedom to pull up for the
3 on the break when some coaches would scream if they didn't go to the cup.
Allen is particularly adept at breaking down most 2-guards off the dribble,
which leaves the point guard to spot up. Even though Cassell is a jump
shooter, too, he likes to operate inside 18 feet and shake defenders with
up-fakes or step-through moves, looking to kick the ball out if he gets
stuck. Opposing teams don't often double-team any of the Bucks, but Allen,
Cassell and sometimes Robinson are quick enough to force a second defender to
sag; Hunter, looking to spot up, has a quick enough trigger to take
advantage.
On the slide: Erick Strickland
(4.5 ppg, 1.1 apg, 2.0 rpg, .8 stls, .310 FG, .857 FT)
Coach Jeff Van Gundy started him in place of Charlie Ward to open the
second half of Sunday's loss to the Pacers, giving Strickland a chance to
make a statement for more playing time. Strickland moved into the rotation
while Glen Rice was sidelined with a sore heel and his high energy and
defense fit so well that he made Rice look expendable. But Sunday Strickland
suddenly tried to become a playmaker, throwing a low-bullet bounce pass for a
back-door cutting Allan Houston that sailed out of bounds and then attempting
a touch pass underneath the basket to Larry Johnson that resulted in another
turnover. The worst sin a sub can commit is giving away the ball and Erick
has had as many turnovers (7) as assists in limited time over the last eight
games. An effective backup sticks to what he does best and avoids mistakes.
This week's guard to watch: Sacramento's Hidayet Turkoglu
The 21-year-old rookie has been getting
fourth-quarter run at the 2-spot and making the most of it. Coach Rick
Adelman went to a big backcourt down the stretch with Hedo and Doug Christie
and Peja Stojakovic at the 3 to beat the Celtics and Blazers. He's easily the
league's most aggressive European defender and has so much funk in his game
the Kings call him "Brother Hedo."
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ALSO SEE
On Guards (Francis and Eisley), Jan. 16
On Guards (McKie and N. Anderson), Jan. 7
On Guards (Rose and McGrady), Dec. 28
On Guards (Bibby and Jackson), Dec. 18
On Guards (Stockton, Blaylock), Nov. 27
On Guards (Nash, A.Miller), Nov. 20
On Guards (Anderson, Billups), Nov. 13
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