Re: Vescey's knowledge and Indiana

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Shawn asked:

Does anyone else on list have an opinion of Jermaine? What's the concensus?

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I don't understand Snoopy's problem with O'Neal either. He's a stud. He
scores, rebounds, blocks shots, runs the floor and gets better every year.
As for the crunch-time criticism, I think it's somewhat valid although
easily understandable. He's a PF/C. Those big guys need help at crunch time.
That's why you see Kobe taking so many big shots for the Lakers. It's easier
for teams to swarm and double team a big guy, often leaving guards to make
the crunch-time plays. The Pacers' biggest weakness (other than Isiah, of
course), was a lack of playmakers at the guard spots. Tinsley is a nice
set-up point guard, but you don't want him receiving the ball on a kickout
with the shot clock ticking down. Reggie, as Bill Simmons would say, has a
tough time shooting with a fork sticking out of his back. And Artest is an
adventure at best on the offensive end. 

So, did Jermaine struggle at times (not all the time) down the stretch of
games? Sure. But he was saddled with a coach without a clue and perimeter
players not really capable of either creating or making an open shot.

As for Jermaine on the Celts... Outside of Duncan, Ming and Shaq, he'd be
the one guy in the NBA who would fit the best and help the most. 

Mark