Playoffs 2000:Getting to the point: Livingston vs. Johnson

Getting to the point: Livingston vs. Johnson
By Fred Carter
Special to ESPN.com

No. 5 Suns (53-29) vs. No. 4 Spurs (53-29)

NBA 2Night analyst Fred Carter knows all about the importance of guard play in the Association. When he was playing back in the early-1970s and earning his nickname "Mad Dog," Carter was an energetic guard who put up impressive numbers in scoring and assists while with the Baltimore Bullets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Throughout the 2000 playoffs, Mad Dog will share his thoughts on the starting point guards for all 16 playoff teams in our exclusive "Getting to the Point" feature.


	Livingston

RANDY LIVINGSTON
Team: Suns
Seasons: 4
Ppg: 4.8 | Apg: 2.1 | Rpg: 1.7

When he's on: Randy Livingston will stay in the game and keep Kevin Johnson fresh. Livingston will start the first quarter. If he's going well, he will go longer. The same thing goes for the third quarter. He just needs to not make mistakes. In some games, Livingston has shown he can get things started and make sure the Suns are running smoothly. Other than getting the ball to players like Penny Hardaway or Clifford Robinson, Livingston will spot up on the weak side and hit the open shot.

When he's off: Scott Skiles won't let Livingston hurt the Suns; he has Kevin Johnson waiting in the wings if Livingston falters. When you see KJ coming in, you know Livingston is not on his game. Livingston will be forced to shoot the ball; that's what the other team wants.


	Johnson

AVERY JOHNSON
Team: Spurs
Seasons: 12
Ppg: 11.3 | Apg: 6.0 | Rpg: 1.9

When he's on: Avery Johnson is making the 17-foot jump shot. If you can picture the shot he made against the Knicks in the Finals last year, that's the shot he will make with more consistency now. That means other players are double-teamed and the ball is coming back to him. But Johnson is really a pass-first point guard who can deliver the ball to his teammates for open shots. He is professional and has worked at his game. He has answered all the naysayers who said he couldn't hit the outside shot.

When he's off: It's because he is getting beaten up on the defensive end and the other guard is wearing him out offensively. It helps that Johnson has two big guys like Tim Duncan and David Robinson behind him for defensive help. In addition, he is ineffective when he is not draining that outside shot.

What to expect: One advantage Livingston might have is that he has the quickness to play against Johnson. The Suns will coach him on the screen-and-rolls to go under or try to force Johnson more to his right. They need Livingston to pressure Johnson early. He needs to pick him up the length of the floor, even though he might get broken down once or twice. If he can make Johnson work and wear him down, that would be the best the Suns can expect from him.

Johnson should be able to break down Livingston with savvy and experience and should be able to get both the open passing lanes and the open shots. I expect Johnson to have an effective series, especially without the presence of Jason Kidd.