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: Alvin Williams vs. Bobby Jackson
Both are point guards who serve as fourth-quarter specialists for
playoff-bound teams trying to close with a flourish and secure postseason
home-court advantage for as long as possible. Both play somewhat loose and
fast offensively, not afraid to make the risky play or attempt a trey early
in the shot clock. But where Alvin has been living a charmed existence,
Jackson has been making some late-game mistakes that have been pivotal in
several Kings' losses.
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RIC'S GUARD RANKINGS
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THE WEEK'S TOP 10
1. Jason Kidd - Led Suns on seven-game winning streak after learning his wife
is pregnant with twins
2. Allen Iverson - Returns to score 36, 37, 35, 37 before faltering vs.
Raptors
3. Gary Payton - Averages 23 points, makes 7 of 10 treys as Sonics win four
in a row
4. Terrell Brandon - Drops 30 in big win over Blazers
5. Ray Allen - Displaying all-around game as Bucks win 8 of 10
6. Vince Carter - Scoring same, shooting better than 50 pct. in April, season
high
7. Steve Francis - Heavy minutes, bumps and bruises taking their toll
8. Steve Nash - Double-double, 50 pct shooting in win over Kings at Sacramento
9. John Stockton - Importance to Jazz defined by their slide matching his
10. Alvin Williams - 13 assists, 0 turnovers and 14 points vs. AI warrants making
this week's list
(Note: the weekly ranking is based on performances each week, not
overall)
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On the rise: Alvin Williams
(9.6 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 stls, .433 FG, .750 FT, .295 3s)
The Raptors dealt veteran Mark Jackson when they realized Williams'
helter-skelter offense and staunch defense was a better fit in the world of
Vinsanity. He's far from your classic sure-handed, calm-headed floor leader,
but then Toronto doesn't exactly play a classic brand of ball. Williams
showed just how good he can be in a 100-85 win over the 76ers, forcing Allen
Iverson to take 23 shots to take 18 points and commit four turnovers to
register two assists. Alvin, meanwhile, dropped 13 dimes without a single
turnover and added 14 points. Granted, the Raptors got the Sixers on their
heels early and rolled from there, but Williams' wild offense has been
getting wildly effective in the fourth quarter for a while -- that's when he
scores nearly half his points. What's consistent is his defense, which, with
his 6-5 frame allows Coach Lenny Wilkens to get Ell (No-D) Curry on the floor
and protects Carter from having to take tough assignments. Williams has been
on a particular tear of late, notching his first triple-double against the
Hawks and posting a 5.25-1 assist-turnover ratio over the past seven games,
five of them Toronto wins.
On the slide: Bobby Jackson
(7.2 ppg, 2.0 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.1 stls, .440 FG, .729 FT, .384 3s)
Bobby doesn't have the comfort of starting, but coach Rick Adelman has
played him nearly every minute of the fourth quarter this season. He is much
more of a gambling defender and won't hesitate to hit the floor for a loose
ball, but his dice-rolling on D and decision-making with the ball
short-circuited an attempted comeback win vs. the Bucks. Jackson picked up
three loose balls during the final quarter, but when the Kings had a chance
to take their first lead he carelessly whipped a pass intended for Scot
Pollard that sailed out of bounds untouched. His only shots were two long
three-pointers, the second forced by the shot clock, zero compensation for
needlessly leaving Sam Cassell open to bury a last-minute trey that broke a
101-101 tie and the Kings' collective back.
This week's guard to watch: Greg Buckner, Mavericks
Don Nelson showed his confidence in him
the other day by having him post up Scottie Pippen on a crucial late-game
possession. Buckner answered by converting a three-point play. His defense is
what they've needed most, allowing Michael Finley to save his energy for the
offensive end.
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ALSO SEE
On Guards (Francis, Van Exel), March 27
On Guards (Dooling, Cleaves), March 19
On Guards (Allen, Stackhouse), March 13
On Guards (T. Hardaway, Atkins), March 5
On Guards (Marbury, K. Anderson), Feb. 28
On Guards (Terry, Hughes), Feb. 19
On Guards (S. Smith, R. Harper), Feb. 6
On Guards (Brandon and R. Strickland), Jan 29
On Guards (Hunter and E. Strickland), Jan .22
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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