I loved Mercer at UK and thought he was a great player. However, his attitude hurt him in the NBA as much as any injury did. If I remember correctly some of the players in Denver celebrated when he was traded.
Ron Mercer was the best pure small forward to play at kentucky
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The fact that Joe B let Goose shoot should tip you off to the fact he wasn't a guard.
I don't think you can find a single instance of IB being listed at F, just like Goose was never listed at G.
You would be wrong then. Givens had 2038 points without a 3 point line and shot over 50% for his career. Givins also averaged 6.4 rebounds over his career. Mercer 4.1. Mercer had 1013 in two years and had a 3 point line. Givins was a better shooter and rebounder at UK.
Givens played four years vs Mercer's two. Plus, Mercer shared so much playing time his freshmen year. Stat wise isn't a fair comparison.
Sky Walker was exactly who came to mind. Agree Mercer was special, but to claim he was "the best" at that position.....not so sure.
Givens, if i'm not mistaken shared the ball with a few pretty good players also.
I didn't make the claim that Mercer was the best SF in UK's history. I simply stated Givens wasn't better than Mercer. You look at 20 year old Givens and 20 year old Mercer, who do you think is getting picked first?
I didn't see Givens play. Mash was better than Mercer overall but he was a 4/3. He did everything.
I agree that Mercer was the best small forward I've personally seen at Kentucky. I didn't see Givens so I can't say who was better. But Mercer had some absolutely mind blowing moves around the rim. I would have killer for a Mercer on the team this year.
I agree that Mercer was the best small forward I've personally seen at Kentucky. I didn't see Givens so I can't say who was better. But Mercer had some absolutely mind blowing moves around the rim. I would have killer for a Mercer on the team this year.
The best SF's I've seen in my time:
1. Kevin Grevey
2. Ron Mercer
3. Goose Givens
1. Kevin Grevey
2. Ron Mercer
3. Goose Givens
Id have to say Grevey, Givens, and then Mercer from the players I remember seeing. I remember Riley and Pratt playing but wasn't old enough to really understand skills.
Mash was a small forward who was asked to rebound. His game was driving the ball and shooting the three.
Mashburn shot more 3 pointers than Mercer. (4.5/ game to 3.5 for Mercer).
He made more of them (37% to 35%).
He had more assists than Mercer (3.6/game to 2.5/game).
I would venture he brought the ball up the court more than Mercer ever did.
It's Mash 1, Mercer 2. I can't speak for Goose. And Sky isn't in the conversation. He was a back to the basket 4. A free throw was the longest shot he ever took.
Mashburn shot more 3 pointers than Mercer. (4.5/ game to 3.5 for Mercer).
He made more of them (37% to 35%).
He had more assists than Mercer (3.6/game to 2.5/game).
I would venture he brought the ball up the court more than Mercer ever did.
It's Mash 1, Mercer 2. I can't speak for Goose. And Sky isn't in the conversation. He was a back to the basket 4. A free throw was the longest shot he ever took.
Here's mash tearing it up, doing three man things. By the end of 93, Prickett was our PF and Mash was the swing man. Watching these videos, it reminds me of how great that period with Pitino was.
I think Mercer would have broken the scoring record (albeit at a much lower PPG than Issel) if he stayed 4 years. He hit 72 3's in 2 years so 72 extra points. Not a huge number.
Didn't Kenny Skywalker play small forward when the twin towers were here, just saying...
People can say what they want about P, but that was the most fun I've ever had watching sports. His teams were exciting, they won, and they dominated teams. The best part is that once we got a lead there was no let up, they beat them into oblivion.
Big Sam spent more time on the perimeter than Sky on that '84 team
Antwan Walker could play either forward position, and had he stayed another year...... could have really been great.
Maybe not the best but one of my favorites, was Darius Miller.
Ron may not have been the best but he may have been the smoothest. He played with grace.
It's funny, based on size Mash was a 4 and Kenny Walker a 3 - but Walker definitely played like a 4 and Mash a 3.
Here are the 8 UK All Americans since the 1960s that could be considered Small Forwards:
Riley
Pratt
Grevey
Givens
Mashburn
Mercer
Prince
MKG
I don't remember the first 3. Among the last 5, all things considered I'd take Kidd-Gilchrist. By far the best defender (which is only 50% of the game) and probably the best rebounder. Good scorer, although couldn't really shoot or this would be an obvious discussion. Main thing is he did the little things, just a leader and a winner. He was the 2nd overall pick as a freshman for a good reason...
Here are the 8 UK All Americans since the 1960s that could be considered Small Forwards:
Riley
Pratt
Grevey
Givens
Mashburn
Mercer
Prince
MKG
I don't remember the first 3. Among the last 5, all things considered I'd take Kidd-Gilchrist. By far the best defender (which is only 50% of the game) and probably the best rebounder. Good scorer, although couldn't really shoot or this would be an obvious discussion. Main thing is he did the little things, just a leader and a winner. He was the 2nd overall pick as a freshman for a good reason...
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