Getting to the point: Ward vs. Christie
By Fred Carter
Special to ESPN.com
No. 6 Raptors (45-37) vs. No. 3 Knicks (50-32)
 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.
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CHARLIE WARD
Team: Knicks
Seasons: 6
Ppg: 7.4 | Apg: 4.2 | Rpg: 3.2
When he's on: Charlie Ward is making his shots. Defensively, he's always going to be sound. He will defend and not turn the ball over. What he has to do is make shots. Don't be surprised if a lot of balls wind up in his hands when the shot clock is at less than eight seconds. The ball will swing back to him, and he will hit the standing 3-pointer or the long jumper to be effective.
When he's off: Sometimes, Ward has a tendency to make mistakes when he is pressured. He might cough the ball up once or twice. Plus, if he is not making his shots, that will be a big plus for Toronto. Ward's defensive problem will be against Doug Christie, who can post him up.
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| Christie |
DOUG CHRISTIE
Team: Raptors
Seasons: 8
Ppg: 12.4 | Apg: 4.4 | Rpg: 3.9
When he's on: Doug Christie gives the Raptors post-up ability, creating a mismatch and forcing a double team. He can make the standing 3-pointer. Guards must stay close to him on defense because he is a good shooter and is excellent at throwing the entry pass.
When he's off: He can't push the floor down the floor like a true point guard. The Raptors are an athletic team. They want to run and gun and get Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady making plays in the open court. But it's not Christie's game to be pushing the ball, seeing the court and creating plays. For that type of effect, the Raptors insert Dee Brown and Muggsy Bogues in the game.
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What to expect: Ward will get posted up against Christie, which is a matchup in favor of Toronto. That will force New York to have to double-team him. Ward will have to battle Christie and use his football prowess to not let him get too close to the basket. If he makes Christie take a dribble or two, then he could get defensive help.
With Christie in the game, I would not be surprised if New York goes with its big guards, as opposed to either Charlie Ward or Chris Childs. Christie can hurt those two smaller guards with his post-up game. He will have an advantage and could put up big numbers against Ward and Childs, but the matchup could be a wash against the Knicks' Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. The Raptors have a major edge if the Knicks are forced to double-team Christie and leave Carter or McGrady open. |
