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Efficiency tough on guards

Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

New York City - The knock on NBA/WNBA efficiency is that its unforgiving to backcourt players. Up front the theory is, and often stands, players can accumulate efficiency points on rebounds while losing less on turnovers. The guards often shoot a lower percentage than their front line counterparts and stand to commit more turnovers.

Reviewing the New York Liberty stats prior to their game with the Seattle Storm, this proved to be the case.

Cappie Pondexter leads the Liberty with a 16.3 scoring average. Pondexter's efficiency is 41 (13.7 a game). Tina Charles is a close second at 16 points per game scoring. The 6-4 Charles leads in efficiency at 58 or 19.3 a game, clearly outdistancing Pondexter, a 5-9 guard.

Charles is shooting slightly better (19-of-43) than Pondexter (15-for-40) for the season. Pondexter had only 8 turnovers through her first three games, just one more than Charles. The disparity was on the glass where Charles enjoyed 35-8 edge over Pondexter through the initial three contests to help overcome the shooting numbers.