RON MERCER Was Supposed to Be A Franchise Player For The Celtics! WHAT HAPPENED? Stunted Growth
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- In the late 90s early 2000s, Ron Mercer was expected to come in and be a possible cornerstone for the Boston Celtics. In hindsight he didn't even have a chance to be that because the franchise gave up on him after just 2 seasons. From then on it seemed like even more teams gave up interest in him. Why was that? Was he lazy? Caught in bad situations? Only cared about money? Or was he under appreciated? Here's 3 reasons I think things didn't go as planned and what young hoopers can learn from this story.
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Do you believe the people that say Ron Mercer only played for a check? If not, what was his biggest Growth Stunt? Visit www.stuntedgrowth3.com ON SALE! Thanks for watching! ✌️
This dude..wow..he looked like the prototype at his position..then...i dont know what happened..i mean...Pitino loved this kid..but it seemed like he was missing something..and i actually loved his game..i mean..he wasnt wack...but he wasnt great either..really confused me when he played...but salute to him anyhow..
They should’ve built with Mercer, Chauncey, Antwan, and Paul...They had a squad, I truly hate they gave up so quickly. Every last one of those players won a championship with the exception of Mercer...One of the great should’ve been’s in basketball! Dope video Mr Stunted Growth!!
I gotta be honest JC, my own thought process is "stunted" on this one. He had the physical tools and ultimately proved to be a very serviceable player. Yes, he wasn't the best 3pt shooter, but Simmons is an All-Star and can't throw a ball into the ocean while standing on a pier. Only playing for the bag? Like you said, that's too tough to read unless it's just blatant (ie: Erick Dampier leading the league in rebounds the year before his next contract & GSW paid him $50+ million and then regressing back to his former self). Maybe (and perhaps I'm reaching here), it was something off the court/personal that affected his play and he just couldn't shake it (no social media back then). His career could've gone better, but he was no bust...If BOS kept him, he possibly could've elevated the 6th-man position for the league.
@@michaelcarlock5493 I expected him to explode in the league one of those players on a real talented college team who would be able to showcase his full ability once he had the green light
I thought he would have been like a stronger derrick Andersen the way the media hyped him up during his draft class except Derek Andersen developed a 3pt shot and was a better passer coming into the league, I think Mercer Capped off just being able to hit mid range shots and get in the lane to finish but just good enough for that$ check
Couldn't nobody tell me back in the day that Ron Mercer wasn't going to be star in the NBA that's how much of a Ron Mercer fan I was growing up
I still have his trading card!
Sware
Facts
bro, I luved Ron Mercer, man had one of the prettiest shooting releases
And me being from Nashville had me a super fan. Vandy could’ve had him but there gpa was too high for him. He really wanted to go there but they turned him down. They could’ve had homegrown talent like that but let there SEC rival snatch him. It was so much backlash after this towards Vanderbilt they lowered there gpa down some because of Mercer. He went on to lead KY on to the national championship and the rest is history!!!!
That Jordan block was the beginning of the end for him.
😂🤣😂🤣😂 Jordan said I'm still the owner of the Bulls
Yeah after that he was traded to the Pacers after a few games.
He scored 25 points that game though and he kept the trash early 2000's bulls in the game
I watched that game live and it's funny because Mercer had a great game, but after that it really did feel like the guy was toast lol
Yeah, they didn’t show what happened before MJ snatched shit off the backboard😂 Ron blocked MJ shit and MJ feelings was hurt and came back got it off the backboard 😂
People forget he was the Naismith HS POY over KG,Pierce,Marbury and VC.He was so damn smooth at UK.I just knew he was going to be a star.He was the first player who i saw had talent but for whatever reason he couldn’t put it all together in the pros.Shoutout to Mercer regardless tho,he deserves his flowers.
It's eerie how Ron Mercer looked so much like boxer Merciless Ray Mercer
Facts
That’s his dad ,or brother, or cousin
I have another good one. Miles Simon Arizona player.
Simon says,Yea I remember that year,they beat Kentucky that yr championship game
I think he did one on him already.
Salim stoudamire too
He became a coach n actor. He was nice fam
True
Kerry Kittles, please do an episode on him
Especially with that Kobe Bryant story about Kerry Kittles and Coach Cal on draft night!?!!
Yessss Kittles was the shiiiiii
Scotty Thurman!!! One of the greatest college basketball players to never get drafted!
Big nets fan. Good role player and defender. He wasn't taken high so I can't say he stunted. Damn good player. Injuries got him.
I think he already did an episode on him. Not sure, though.
Can we get an episode for my boy Jamaal Tinsley he was one of the best passers of the early 2000s but didn’t last as long as he should’ve
If he stayed healthy I think my Pacers had a good at winning a championship...
Can’t remember...was Tinsley a high profile recruit?
@@pmiahky yes he was
Think he's done Tinsley
@@edwardoutlawjr8154 I know he did it after this comment
Ron’s spirit got broken so he gave up. Imagine everywhere you go no matter how hard you work, how much improvement you make, and how well you play you always seem to get traded or treated like nothing. It sounds crazy that a good dude that was a good scorer outside of his 3ball which no one was really shooting 3s back then a 15-20 ppg scorer can’t seem to find a home for longer than a season
For real now they kiss curry's ass when the league is watered down and he's stacked af league is built and catered for curry now . I really don think curry's higher that top 20-25 all time and that's it and only because he's lucky af to come in the right system and a league built for players like curry now.players like mercer were ahead of their time
@@diegochavez6203 You really just came on here to trash Curry.. lmao
@@diegochavez6203
What ? Curry can shoot. He would have a job in any era.
*** scratches head ***
Ron was silky smooth! Him and Derek Anderson was a real problem at UK!! I remember playing that muddy waters non stop and watching the ncaa tourney that year.
Muddy Waters was my cut
Pitino was a stunt as well..Pitino thought he was still at UK..believe he traded Billups that yr right away. Ron was best as a 6th man role. Really didn't create for anyone else. But scored a lot despite the lack of a 3 pt shot. Solid NBA career. He used to come off those down screens at UK, guys game in college I really liked watching..
Facts 💯💯
I was thinking the same thing. Watching the video i was thinking quality 6th man. Hell he was avg 17 with no 3 point shot.
@@michaelwhitten5401 he used to be a mid range killer at UK..Looking at his face, it seemed as though he stopped working out..his face looked puffy
Even without Mercer being able to shoot that well I think he still would've been very affective because Pierce and Walker both could shoot which would open the lane more for Mercer with the option of kicking the ball back out for a jumper or 3, I think that lineup would've kept defenses honest and made them think to much .
so mercer would be attacking the basket more and when doubles come kick it to the open man
My god, you could do a month's worth of vids just on the Pitino era. In the early 2000s there was a local article listing all the guys they got rid of who went on to be solid players who could have helped them, from Bruce Bowen, to David Wesley, Rick Fox, Chauncey, Danny Fortson....that man ruined my late teenage years.....
.....
.....but at least he wasn't ML Carr....
Pinto had an ego
Dont forget Joe Johnson
They could've make it work with Ron, Paul and Toine celtics just crazy smh
Sure couldve i was at the Garden when we played antoine walker on his first game with Dallas against the celts in the playoffs his Welcome back game smh wish they did this like u said i was heated
I was praying they grabbed up a great big that year and won it all! Instead pitnt-zero ....🤔 dismantled my dreams lol 🤣😂🤣
Facts. But Pitino was trynna reassemble his College team tho lol. From 98-00 he had Mercer, Walker, Delk, McCarty, Wayne Turner and 29 yr old Rookie Reggie Hanson. Plus some Louisville players n Greg Minor, Pervis Ellison. He also had Chauncey Billups
@@slimmyhendrix4067 smh yup pure idiot syndrome as we know college and the big leauges are 2 different monsters in any sport and some players are A+in college and D- in the league 😂🤣😂🤣 so many have met that brick wall Sam Bowie....bo kimble ...pervis "the worstest" ellison... Christian latener ... The list on
@@slimmyhendrix4067 smh yup pure idiot syndrome as we know college and the big leauges are 2 different monsters in any sport and some players are A+in college and D- in the league 😂🤣😂🤣 so many have met that brick wall Sam Bowie....bo kimble ...pervis "the worstest" ellison... Christian latener ... The list on
Can you do a video on Ronald flip Murray
Like my late homie used to say about Flip, "that n**** can sco'" 😅
Ron was killin em from deep in that Mickey Ds All American Game and the NCAA Finals in 96. That team was stacked crazy! Thought he was gonna end up a bigger, stronger Ray Allen...
we got to get billy owens on here
You could literally do one of theses on that whole 95-96 Kentucky team.
Forreal. Their bench could have been a starting 5 anywhere tho
Love the stories, coming from a huge college basketball fan, bro you gotta do a stunted growth on Melvin Levett of the Cincinnati bearcats
Good video. Thanks. The reason the Nuggets traded Mercer in 1999 is that they couldn't afford to sign him and he didn't get along with his teammates. They thought he was selfish. He got in a fistfight with George McCloud.
NBA live he was a monster. Good post 💯💪🏾
Hey, I love the job you are doing.. I'm waiting on that Kenny Battle!!!
Oh yeah, Kerry Kittle and Anderson Hunt too!!!!
Yes sir.....dont forget Richard Dumas
When j cole said “ Lord please let my problems disappear like Ron Mercer “🤣🤣🤣 I always wonder who he was talking about thanks stunted growth 🐐
I think brandon roy needs to be on stunted growth as well
When College basketball was A1 entertainment,a perfect product...
I grew up in Kentucky and followed Mercer's career fairly closely and I always had the feeling that the guy just didn't care THAT MUCH about basketball. He always seemed to kind of coast and glide around the court. It seemed like it was just a regular job for him that that was about it. Don't know, but that's the feeling I got watching him. He was on his way out of the league around the time he should have been entering his prime.
*"Trainers" everywhere are gonna be rewinding and rewatching this video all night*
I would love to see a segment on Dwayne "Pearl " Washington... RIP
J.R. Giddens would be a great episode
Hell yea I remember I think bro played at new Mexico state.. Coulda been KD B4 KD!!✊🏿💯
Oh yes sir
Was nasty a new mexico state
Yeah He balled out at KU then got into a bar fight or something and had to transfer to UNM. He was a killer tho. I thought the Celtics got a draft steal after that chip.
Yes
I think Andrew Wiggins might have a future on this channel. They have similar sounding stories.
lol u can guarantee that
RJ Barrett always gave me Ron Mercer vibes
wiggins is an all-star now
@@sleeve9097 He did. I'm happy for him too but his growth was still stunted.
@@Triniboi05 He's a Allstar and champion now and was the 2 best player in the finals lol.
7:34 arguably the highest arch I've seen on a layup!
He loved that spin move!
He wore that move out
Mercer had that clean ass spin move that he would always do in the open court. He was athletic and silky smooth. I thought that he would really make an impact in the league but....
Jordan pinned his shot on the glass with two hands. That's what happened to him.
🤣🤣 and not even Prime Jordan, it was old Wizards Jordan
Bruh 😭
What do you expect THEY'RE PROS
🙄
@@dthreezy 🙄
Can you do John wallace please
Yes. I second this.
all offense no defense and his outside shot was not effective, attacking the basket he was creative tho His time on the chicago bulls I thought he was gonna be the man and take off he had some good games but that game 40 year old MJ put his shot on the backboard with both hands to seal the game. he just wasnt the same. salute to ron mercer
Michael destroyed him with that block !!!!
I requested this video a couple of weeks ago this was one of my favorite players. Thanks man!!!
Thank you for this one sir lol. I've been waiting lol.
was thinking about him when i saw that derek anderson episode..
The only thing I remember about Ron was that spin move he always did while at Kentucky 😂😂😂 I bet only a few are going to know what I’m talking ‘bout.
The NCAA FINALS
How about another Celtic player that fell off after a great start? Eric Williams.
You're exactly right....Eric Williams was a beast until he tore his ACL.
I’m from Nashville. Mercer is a legend here. He built his mom a house in the hood. It has a iron gate around the property…it sticks out like a sore thumb bc it’s so much bigger/nicer than the other homes.
I meet Ron Mercer at Percy priest lake long time ago
Ron was most definitely a solid pro, but honestly I don't think he was quite as good as advertised. In my eyes Anthony Epps, Wayne Turner (possible future episodes?!?) and Derek Anderson (fav episode) all had a greater upside for league potential than him, but he had the body/look that got him over.
Good work as always JC aka Tha Stunt'na!
Bro. If you think Wayne Turner or Anthony Epps had as much talent as Mercer, then I don't know what to tell you. Wayne Turner LITERALLY Has the Worst Jumpshot and Form I've ever seen a Guard has. Anthony Epps literally SCREAMS College Player.
Lack of a consistent jumper kills most guards and small forwards=Mercer.
Kenny Walker another Kentucky player back in the day had the same problem.
Just because a guy can win a dunk contest doesn't make him a great NBA player. Know your role.
I've been waiting for this one.. Ever had that player you watched in high school or college that you thought for sure was going to be a superstar when he got to the league and you were flat out wrong about? Well for me it was Ron Mercer. I got caught up his athleticism as many people probably did at the time and I just assumed that he would put in the work to be able consistently hit from NBA 3 point range. There's no way this guy can fail. Man was I wrong! 😄
i never thought he was going to be a great because in the ncaa finals where they lost the announcers were saying that he looked tired after playing 2 games in 3 days I thought to myself then being around 20-21 that he didn't have it in him because what was he gonna do in the league on back to back nights anyway another great video keep up the good work
Ron Mercer only played 80 games once in his career and only played 70 games twice. You can't really tell his story without time lost to injury, being on bad teams, or being on a young team that the franchise didn't allow to develop. The 2001 Bulls team alone had Carlos Boozer, Ron Artest, Khalid El-Amin, Jamal Crawford, Elton Brand, Brad Miller, and Marcus Fizer. Brand, Boozer, Artest, Crawford, and Miller all went on to have some level of success. Mercer could have easily been a second option on an elite team if given the chance. Mercer had solid numbers for the time. Jordan and Pippen only shot about 32% from 3 to Mercer's 25% and Jordan took less than 2 per game for his career, it was just a different time. In his prime Mercer only got about 15 to 18 shots per game and put up solid scoring numbers for someone with that few shots. Remember coaches decide how many shots you get to put up per game if you were not a big man in that era and could rebound and create second-chance points.
Mercer could have easily been what Ron Artest was for the Lakers during Kobe's era and Mercer put up better numbers than Artest when they played together. Just look at those 2001 Bulls numbers. Mercer was a solid player that never got the chance on a team that was the right fit. The drop-off was after injuries took some of his athleticism and coaches lost faith in him. Granted, he never worked on his range, but how many coaches told him to.
I knew Mercer's stunted growth was coming soon. Ron Mercer was basically a rhythm player with the ball who's jumper was more of a threat around midrange but had that left to right head and shoulders crossover in his arsenal in his Boston and denver days which was his only go to move in the halfcourt that would shock some defenders that didnt know his scouting report .Otherwise he seemed more comfortable in the opencourt going to his pattenant spin move on defenders to the hoop IF he couldn't catch a dunk. I thought he would have had a more productive career but maybe injuries to being traded to being a reserve or him getting his shot at the rim (Gobbled!!)double 2handed blocked by the wizard's 40yr old Micheal Jordan that made ESPN got him in a deeper funk or depression IDK
Raefer Alston, Kendall Gill, Stacy Augmon, Damon stoudamire
Nawh KG and Stacey were straight
Man I love your channel. The research is top notch. Can you please do Robert Swift
I was waiting for this one.
Thank you Stunted Growth!
I like this one, dude was real good at Kentucky.. I'd like to see u do a video on people like Bobby Hurley, Juan Dixon, Dejuan Wagner, to name a few..
Another great video bruh, please do one on Marvin Barns!!!
Do a segment on Derrick Anderson', Jim Jackson, and Calbert Chaney.
Did DA! That's my guy
@@stuntedgrowth. DA was that dude. He was bananas at Ohio State and bounced on us to Kentucky. He was so dope that us Columbus folks couldn't hate. Was dope at Kentucky and the league.
I use to kill with that celts team on nba live and 2k back day smh 😉😂😭🤣😂
Good one . But what about Walter McCarty
MERCER DEED UP MY COUSIN BACK IN THE DAY! LOL IF MY COUSIN WENT TO THE MAC HE WOULD OF NOT STUNNED HIS GROWTH. 💯
Ron mercer is underrated he should have been an all star 3 or 4 times I'm not saying he's a hall of famer but he was definitely an all star player
His knees went rouge. When was on the Pacers he couldn't get to the rim and was strictly pull up. Knee tendonitis is something else
Not sure if you have done Tony Delk. Would love for you to look at a few of the UM players: Maceo Baston, Maurice Taylor. Lastly, Anthony Randolph would be great too. Love your work.
Another solid video. It seems like Mercer not being able to shoot 3s is nonsense, he played within his strengths(slasher/mid-range shooter). It only leaves to "character", which is something that is not spoking about. I have no evidence of this but that's all that is left, "was he a good teammate".
Unfortunate no team gave him a shot and he bounced around so much. Boston and Denver should've given him more of an opportunity especially since 3 point shooting wasn't as popular in the late 90s and early 00s as it is today.
Love ur channel man. You're gonna blow up soon. Keep it up.
GOD BLESS You
Nice video... I still think I could’ve worked out in Boston with Mercer playing a sixth man scoring type of role... but you never know how a player is gonna react to a reduced role after being a lottery pick... sad how his college coach gave up on him after 2 years... good stuff as always SG
His spin move was crazy
Jimmer Fredette...
@Stunted Growth after watching the Derek Anderson video I was wondering was Ron Mercer stunted Growth material. thank you for this video!!!
I'm so tempted to watch this right now but I got to work in two hours and I got tore up last night drinking lol ... Be back to support my guy tho✊🏾💯
Played against him in the AAU Nationals when he was a sophomore, so talented, did he peak too soon?
Thank you Sir! 💯💪🙏 From a die hard..... born and raised celts Fan! #508 #617 #781 stand up! #Ibleedgreen NOW RICKY DAVIS SOON and im forever grateful my guy #salute
He didn't shoot 3's, but he also didn't get to the line well (compare him to Stackhouse, Mobley, Francis - other 2nd tier scorers of the time) nor did he get assists. Getting points inefficiently doesn't do that much for offense, as we all know. I guess it's consistent with what you said about his not creating well. How was he even getting points? Just jacking it every touch??
Ayyyyye Another banger bro RM was tough nice mid range game and slasher. Keep grinding bro 35k sub OTW. Gotta do Mark Karcher next #StuntedGrowth
I remember him playing for my Magic. Much respect for him
Imagine the Celtics keeping both Joe Johnson and Chauncy Billups after drafting them, and teaming them up with Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce. Celtics would have had a dynasty in the 2000's.
Ron Mercer bringing the Cats back to the championship in '97 was an incredible feat considering that probably their best player going into the season (Derek Anderson) went down earlier in the year with a season-ending injury.
You know how to em. Mercer is another one that should be brought up in more convos
Could you please do a stunted growth on Wesley Johnson, that would be amazing.
I could be wrong but I think Mercer struggled with knee issues.
You need to do a piece on Jared Sullinger.
I think Ron Mercer simply developed interests outside of basketball that made him a lot of money and he chose to go that route instead of being in a profession where you have so little control of your career path
You should definitely do an episode on Former Arkansas Razorback Scotty Thurman!!!
Yes please
I really loved his game, please do Marcus Banks thank you for your hard work and research I first seen Ron Play her in Vegas in the holiday prep classic for Oak Hill Academy. Wow that was a huge run on sentence, remember Danny Fortson?
Ron Mercer was so nice inside and outside I don't understand how he didn't translate in the NBA when you talk about smooth you got to mention this guy but when you talk about failure to live up to potential you also got to talk about this guy #stuntedGrowth✊🏾
I'm sure people won't agree with this but some people say things like " he's only in it for the money ", but everybody always says " it's a business " when a player gets traded or something like that happens, so in my opinion if a player is just in it for the money he's treated the game and the league just like that ( a business ) and in the NBA or pro sports period the better you do and / or the team does it's likely the more money you make or more opportunities to make money .
I know most players are too competitive to not care or take the emotions out of the game and just play, but to a point I don't really see anything wrong with a player treating the game or the league like a business and " being in it for the money ", now with that being said they also have to accept what comes along with that and it could mean they don't really have that long of a career .
Just my opinion
Played in a vegas tournament with Ron in 95, I swore bro was jordan jr lol. Him and schea cotton went at!
I played in the same tournament. We didn't play him at that tournament but played oak hill later on that season. Actually got to guard him.
@@diggidy5367 no shit, yeah they was Hella raw. I was like yeah he up next game was so smooth.
Yeah first time in Vegas. Oak hill even stayed in same hotel. (Excalibur) that tournament was bad as hell. You do know Paul Pierce played at that tournament too?
First 3-4 yrs is crucial for a players development and Ron was in nothing but bad losing situations…Talented player who showed flashes of greatness, but dude just never found his role and got lost in the mix..Fact of the matter is unless your a generational Lebron, Shaq, MJ type talent so much of becoming a star or very productive player at the least is being in a situation at the right place and time..
Imagine if celtics chose T MAC
Love his mid range jump shot
Great episode nashville own
Loving the videos king, think you can do a earl the goat for street players and Derrick Williams thanks king. And keep these videos coming Ahch/brother
Wat ever happened to Labradford Smith?Louisville?
Do one on Keith Van Horn
You forgot “The Truth” Paul Pierce in that 95 High School Class...
Ron mercer got me feeling like steph curry on that nba street vol.3 frfr
One of the smoothest ballers I ever saw.
The Celtics made the right call. Paul Pierce is a HOF player & one of the best players for that storied franchise.
Best haircut in the game
this dude was soooo good, and i hated Kentucky.... man this dude was top talent that i forgot about.... crazy talented and that 1996 kentucky team is hands down still the best college basketball team i have EVER SEEN in my life!!!!! I think 9 players off that team played in the NBA
Dwayne Wade wasn't much of a 3 point shooter either but look at what kind of career he had. Ron's game was similar to his.
The paul pierce emergence probably hurt him the most in a normal situation paul pierce would of been drafted much higher plus boston couldn't pass on a player like pierce even though they play same position so Mercer most definitely would of stayed in Boston longer than 2 yrs