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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| Williams |
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| Kidd |
This week's feature guards: The Suns' Jason Kidd vs. the Kings' Jason Williams
The two Western Conference point guards who love nothing more than to drop
a dime are arguably the most creative passers in the game today, and they have dealt
with the same problem this season -- adjusting their scoring proclivity to
fit the needs of their respective teams. Kidd became more aggressive and has
found the perfect blend of attacking the rim, letting it fly from outside and
setting up his teammates. JWill, trying to earn more minutes by reining in
his game, is still searching.
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RIC'S GUARD RANKINGS
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THE WEEK'S TOP 10
1. Gary Payton - Averaging 24 points with a 4:1 assist/TO ratio, could make
Sonics re-think moving him
2. Jason Kidd - Averaged 25 points a night over last seven games
3. Vince Carter - Raptors win three in a row with VC averaging 29 points and
shooting 47 percent
4. Baron Davis - Bugs have lost four in a row but he's shot 56 percent and
averaged 17 points
5. Steve Francis - 23 boards over last three games makes him year's top
rebounding guard
6. Andre Miller - Averaged 11 assists, 18 points over last nine games
7. John Stockton - 15 points, 13 assists in key win over Nash and Mavs
8. Terrell Brandon - Three double-doubles in last six games
9. Travis Best - 6.3:1 assist/turnover ratio in last five games, four Pacers
Ws
10. Jerry Stackhouse - Dropped 57 on Bulls (shooting 58.3 pct) but next night
went 5 for 19 vs. Philly
(Note: the weekly ranking is based on performances each week, not
overall)
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On the rise: Jason Kidd
(17.0 ppg, 9.8 apg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 stls, .413 FG, .813 FT, .298 3s)
The fatigue of playing in the Olympics last summer, the disappointment of
Penny Hardaway's season-ending knee problem and the anguish over a domestic
dispute with his wife that became public all took their toll on Kidd this
season. With Penny out and the addition of shooter deluxe Tony Delk, Kidd
dropped the go-to persona he developed last season until his teammates
demanded he bring it back. Averaging only 13 points in January and February,
he's been scoring 20-plus points for the last six weeks. He's still been a
triple-double threat and is still the league's assist leader, but his scoring
average is up to a career-high 17 points a night now.
On the slide: Jason Williams
(9.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.5 rpg, 1.2 stls, .409 FG, .789 FT, .315 3s)
Yes, backup Kings guard Bobby Jackson was last week's on-the-slide pick.
No, I don't have it out for Sacramento point guards. But there's a reason the
Kings go to a two-man game of Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic when they
positively, absolutely need to score in the clutch. JWill has moved in the
opposite direction of JKidd, trying to be less quick on the trigger -- but in
the process, he's lost his aggression on all fronts. His turnovers from last
year are down (3.7 to 2) but so are his assists (7.3 to 5.4). In curbing his
free-wheeling bombs from the arc -- he'll finish with fewer treys in 77 games
this season than he had in 50 games as a rookie and nearly 200 short of last
year's 505 -- he's looked confused about exactly when he should be shooting.
That hesitation has contributed, in part, to him missing 17 of his last 18
three-point attempts. Perhaps the worst part is that he hasn't used his
blinding speed and great handle to attack the basket with his long-distance
stroke failing him. His assist/turnover ratio has been stellar lately -- 4.5
over the last six games -- but he also has attempted only four free throws
during that stretch. Compare that to Kidd, who has attempted 35 free throws
in his last six games.
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| Kobe |
This week's guard to watch: Kobe Bryant, Lakers
He's as healthy as he's going to get, he's rested
and the playoffs are just around the corner. How he and the team integrate
over the next two weeks will give a good indication of just how ready the
Lakers are to defend their title.
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ALSO SEE
On Guards (Alvin Williams, Bobby Jackson), April 4
On Guards (Francis, Van Exel), March 27
On Guards (S. Smith, R. Harper), Feb. 6
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
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