Muggsy replaces Christie as Raps' Game 2 starter

Butch Carter is making a big move to make sure the Raptors get off to a quick start tomorrow night.

Having seen his team fall behind by 15 points to the New York Knicks in the opening game of the NBA playoffs and ultimately lose by four, Carter has decided to insert 5-foot-3 Muggsy Bogues into the starting lineup tomorrow at Madison Square Garden.

The move, which relegates Doug Christie to a bench role, is an attempt to jump-start an offence that couldn't generate any fast-break baskets in the dreary opening quarter on Sunday.

``I need to maximize our opportunities in the first quarter to get us off to a better start, I just think he'll give us the best opportunity to do that,'' said Carter yesterday.

``We all know we're a better team if we get off to a good start. That was the No. 1 key to the first game (when the Knicks jumped out to a 27-12 lead) . . . and we have to find a way to match that energy in the first quarter.''

Bogues, who started five straight games near the end of the regular season when Christie was injured, welcomes the assignment. Never lacking in self-confidence, he wants to be on the floor every possible moment.

``I feel good about it,'' he said. ``Every playoff I've been in, I've been a starter. Things just didn't go well for us at the beginning of Game 1. (Carter) saw the team was flowing a bit better with me out there.''

Christie, who had left the team's practice facility before news of the change got out, took it ``like a pro,'' according to Carter.

``It's a hard decision for him but he's been a trooper about sacrificing whatever's needed for the team,'' said the coach, who'll use the 6-foot-6 Christie off the bench.

``This isn't about defence,'' said the coach. ``It's about trying to be more fluid, get more movement up the floor.''

As for Vince Carter, New York's stifling defence and double-teams caught him a bit off-guard on Sunday and he never really got into the flow of the game. If Carter can get a couple of open looks on the wing with Bogues pushing the ball, it'll get him into the game quicker and more efficiently.

``He's a floor leader, he's a true point guard,'' Vince Carter said of Bogues, who last started in the playoffs two seasons ago with Charlotte. ``Doug's more of a two-guard playing in the point guard spot. Doug's beaten the odds as to someone saying a two-guard can't play point guard but Muggsy's a more traditional point guard.''

It would take a startling change in style for the Knicks to try and take advantage of Bogues on the defensive end. Neither Chris Childs nor Charlie Ward are anywhere near the top of New York's shot distribution list and coach Jeff Van Gundy isn't going to go away from what's worked so well so far.

``Muggsy's a hard guy to press, it's hard to get the ball off him and we're not playing a team with a post-up point guard,'' said Butch Carter. ``He's very fast with the ball; a lot of guys are fast without the ball, he's fast with it.''

Equally important to Carter is the fact Bogues is more careful with the ball than anyone on his team. In the five games he started in Christie's place earlier this month, Bogues didn't commit a single turnover and that's a crucial aspect of the playoffs, where every possession is important.

``We've just got to get some easy baskets,'' said Bogues. ``And we have to get more good looks at the basket.''