All Points Bulletin

The flash of Kings rookie Jason Williams, the triple doubles of
the Suns' Jason Kidd (below) and the three-way trade involving
Stephon Marbury, Terrell Brandon and Sam Cassell have created
lots of buzz about what is arguably the most important position
in the league--point guard. Using the SI Player Rating Formula*
(INSIDE THE NBA, March 15), we evaluated each team's starter at
the point this season, including games through Sunday. A few big
names didn't measure up: Sub-40% shooting hurt Williams, Mookie
Blaylock, Rod Strickland and Damon Stoudamire. Preseason
up-and-comers Charlie Ward and Steve Nash, two of the league's
biggest disappointments, were done in by their 92 turnovers and
34.3% marksmanship, respectively. On the other hand, Denver's
Nick Van Exel, who at week's end was shooting below 40% but
averaging 15.8 points and 7.1 assists per game, ranked far ahead
of his replacement on the Lakers, Derek Harper (8.3 points and
4.4 assists), which makes you wonder if Dennis Rodman is really
the Lakers' biggest worry. Only current starters are listed, but
a couple of guys coming off the bench have much better stats
than a lot of starters. Orlando's Darrell Armstrong, would rank
sixth among all points; Heat sub Terry Porter would rank just
ahead of Detroit's Lindsey Hunter and five other starters in the
Eastern Conference, proving once again that Pat Riley really
does get the point.

--David Sabino

OVERALL
PLAYER, TEAM RATING NBA RANK LAST POLL

Jason Kidd, Suns 53.2 8 6
Gary Payton, Sonics 52.4 9 5
Stephon Marbury, Nets 43.1 19 18
Tim Hardaway, Heat 41.6 22 27
Anfernee Hardaway, Magic 37.3 30 36
Rod Strickland, Wizards 35.3 40 19
Nick Van Exel, Nuggets 34.4 44 40
John Stockton, Jazz 34.0 45 33
David Wesley, Hornets 33.0 51 59
Terrell Brandon, Timberwolves 32.5 54 74
Mike Bibby, Grizzlies 32.5 55 46
Damon Stoudamire, Trail Blazers 31.9 57 66
Mookie Blaylock, Hawks 31.3 59 70
Kenny Anderson, Celtics 30.8 61 48
Jason Williams, Kings 29.4 70 49
Avery Johnson, Spurs 29.3 71 82
Mark Jackson, Pacers 29.2 72 76
Brevin Knight, Cavaliers 28.2 77 120
Lindsey Hunter, Pistons 25.1 102 119
Charlie Ward, Knicks 23.9 109 97
Haywoode Workman, Bucks 23.6** 112 no rating
Randy Brown, Bulls 23.4 118 155
Eric Snow, 76ers 23.3 121 117
Bimbo Coles, Warriors 22.7 125 173
Derek Harper, Lakers 21.3 134 112
Steve Nash, Mavericks 21.3 137 142
Darrick Martin, Clippers 20.6 141 166
Cuttino Mobley, Rockets 20.2 149 176
Alvin Williams, Raptors 16.9 176 185

*The SI Player Rating Formula: [2 x (3-Pts. Made + Assists +
Blocks) + 1.5 x (OR + Steals) + Total Points + DR + FTM - (TOs x
2) - (Missed FTs + Missed FGs)] [divided by] Games Team Has
Played

**Totals divided by games on roster since signing as free agent

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN W. MCDONOUGH