Getting to the point: Stockton vs. Payton
By Fred Carter
Special to ESPN.com
No. 7 Sonics (45-37) vs. No. 2 Jazz (55-27)
 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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| Stockton |
JOHN STOCKTON
Team: Jazz
Seasons: 16
Ppg: 12.1 | Apg: 8.6 | Rpg: 2.6
When he's on: It's typical. I've never seen John Stockton off his game. Stockton does everything the way it should be done as a point guard. What people don't realize is that he has an excellent offensive mindset. He can turn it on and be an offensive player whenever he wants to. But if the offensive flow is going toward other players, he will just distribute the ball to Karl Malone, Bryon Russell and Jeff Hornacek. In addition he is a big 3-point shooter.
When he's off: Then, Utah will pack it up and go home. Stockton plays so well and smoothly. You can't tell when he is not on his game. He distributes the ball and players either make or miss shots. He is a savvy defender, but he can be outplayed by quicker or taller point guards -- which could be a factor against Payton in this first-round series.
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| Payton |
GARY PAYTON
Team: Sonics
Seasons: 10
Ppg: 24.3 | Apg: 9.0 | Rpg: 6.5
When he's on: Gary Payton contributes in about every way on the floor. He is rarely off his game. He is known as "The Glove" because of his defensive ability, but he is a tremendous offensive player as well. He can rebound, score and pass. He displays an outstanding level of intensity and the ability to play through fatigue -- he averages 41.8 minutes per night and often goes the full 48. He can finish, post up, make the standing 3-pointer, hit shots in traffic, and make free throws.
When he's off: He is simply not making shots. But he might be the Michael Jordan of point guards. Payton could have a down first quarter, but then come back quickly and light it for the remaining three periods. Payton leads Seattle in points, steals, assists and minutes, so the Sonics clearly will go only as far as he can take them.
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What to expect: Payton enjoys a mismatch against Stockton due to his size and strength. Payton should average close to Jordan-like numbers in this series because Utah has no answer for his offensive game.
This is a tremendous, premier point-guard battle for Payton, who is so much quicker, bigger and can post up. If Utah double-teams Payton with Stockton and someone else, the Sonics have players who can make 3-pointers.
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