Stats comparison between Mercer and Houston

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

A few notes about the comparison between the 95-96 Allan Houston
and 98-99 Ron Mercer:

Houston actually shot 46.8% from 2 point range as well as the fantastic
42% from three point range. It should be noted that this was from the
close 3 point line though. From the far 3 point line, he's still a
38-41% shooter. In addition, he took .29 free throws per field goal
attempt. 

Mercer shot 44.3% from 2 point range and took .15 free throws per field
goal attempt. He's also ineffective from three point range. Offensively
he has to be considered an inferior player than Houston at that time,
since he shoots lower from 2 pt range, 3 pt range, and goes to the line
much less often.

Houston's salary is $8M per year (7 years, $56M). 

The problem with the comparison between Mercer's lack of three point 
shooting and the three point shooting of Jordan and Sprewell is that
Mercer doesn't have the same compensating skills - being able to beat
their defender one on one, and taking the ball to the hoop for either
a score or free throws.

Alex