Monday, October 4, 1999
Rule change
may be key to AC
making Heat roster
The former Rainbow is in a three-
By Pat Bigold
man race for two backup
point guard spots
Star-BulletinFormer Hawaii Rainbows star Anthony "AC" Carter found himself one of three players seeking two reserve point guard positions on the 12-man Miami Heat roster as training camp opened in Boca Raton, Fla., over the weekend.
And how well he exploits a restrictive new NBA defensive rule could have a lot to do with whether or not he makes the roster.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Carter, who was signed as a free agent on Aug. 6, is hoping to join the three-time defending Atlantic Division champions as either No. 1 or No. 2 backup to starting point guard Tim Hardaway, a 10-year veteran.
The new rule that could take a toll on NBA teams like Miami, known for their physical style, prohibits hand-checking, except below the free throw line.
But Carter said by phone he thinks he'll thrive on the restriction.
"Offensively, it will help me out a lot because I'm a quick point guard and I come off the pick-and-roll really quick," he said. "It's going to make it easier for me to get to the basket and find the open man. I think it's going to benefit me a lot."
Stan Van Gundy, who is assistant head coach under Pat Riley and in charge of ongoing development of young perimeter players, believes Carter will feast on the hand-check rule.
"He's a very, very good penetrator and will be a tough guy to keep out of the paint with the rule that says you can't put your hands on a guy," he said in a phone interview.
Van Gundy, whose brother, Jeff, is head coach of the New York Knicks, also believes that Carter will have no trouble playing effective defense while keeping his hands to himself below the line.
"He can really move his feet," said Van Gundy. "His being so athletic will help him."
Van Gundy said defense is one of Carter's strongest suits.
That could play in his favor.
Riley, quoted in a Sept. 30 Miami Herald story, acknowledged that the Heat will have to change their approach to defense in order to survive the new rule.
"The emphasis now will have to be on footwork and positioning," he told Herald reporter Barry Jackson.
As for another new rule which will prohibit defenders from impeding the movement of offensive players who don't have the ball, Carter said he feels he's in good enough condition to deal with that, too.
"It's all part of moving your feet," he said. "And knowing that I have help from my teammates - that Alonzo (Mourning), P.J. (Brown) and the rest of the big guys will be there - really helps."
Carter's competition for a spot comes from sixth-year veteran Rex Walters and rookie Corey Brewer.
Walters appeared in 33 of the Heat's 50 games last season (13 starts), averaging 3.1 points, 1.8 assists and 15.3 minutes per game. He can also play off guard and is known as an outstanding spot-up shooter.
After leading Hawaii through back-to-back 21-win seasons (1996-97, 1997-98) and an NIT berth, Carter played for the Yakima Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association. He averaged 11.6 points in 48 games for Yakima and then had an impressive summer league season playing for the Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks assistant coach Donnie Nelson, who coached Carter in the summer, said, "He's maybe the best summer league player I've ever coached."
Van Gundy said Carter has shown many of the qualities that Riley covets.
"He really does do a great job on the fast break, and he has great athleticism, quickness and gets the ball up the floor in a hurry," said Van Gundy. "That's something we're looking for. We want to run more, particularly with our second unit.
"They're all very athletic and very quick, and it's just going to be a matter of time to see who's more consistent," he said. "Pushing the ball up the floor, getting in the paint, making plays and guarding other people - those are the things we're looking for. It's a big month for these guys."
Carter's agent, Bill Duffy, said last week that he thinks once his client "gets his foot in the door, he'll play for a long time."
Carter's contract paid him $100,000 up front and he will earn the rookie minimum of $301,875 if he makes the roster.
The Heat open their NBA season on Nov. 2 hosting Detroit. But the team will fly to Tel Aviv, Israel for an exhibition game on Oct. 11.
