Pearl...

[Upstate]

Oh good lord, no.

He was not the athlete that Dion is, if by athlete it is meant someone who can jump high.

On the other hand, Dion had nowhere near his handle. More range on his jumper, when it's falling, yes. But Pearl knew not to take that shot.

Dion may become a good NBA player. He's not even close to Pearl as a college player.

Scoop? No. Just no.

And the comment earlier that Pearl was one of our smartest players, in a basketball sense, also deserves to be noted. In comparison to both players you mentioned.

I was trying to be sarcastic! It's like you could see Pearl thinking on the court, like a QB going through his progressions. Really incredible.

 

[PoppyHart]

I guess that's a similar story for many of our stars.

Pearl was a true entertainer, an amazing ambassador, and a large reason I'm a Cuse fan. But among PGs who started (or were virtual starters like Scoop in 2009-10) 2 or more years under JB, I believe me, Scoop, and Pearl are the only ones not to either win a BET or advance past S16.

Pearl ('84-'86): No
Sherm ('87-'89): Yes, both
Edwards ('90-'93): BET '92
Autry ('91-'94): BET '92
Me: ('97-'00): No
Griffin* ('98-'01): No, but only played PG 1 year
GMAC ('03-'06): Yes, both (multiple BETs)
Scoop ('08-12): No
Triche* ('10-'12): No, but only played PG 1 year (so far)

 

[AZOrange]

Wow...that uni could barely contain him...

 

[AZOrange]

As far as dominating player convos go...do people forget Melo? Good god.

 

[AZOrange]

Nominee for favorite basketball moments: Sherm's shotgun hike to Stevie.

 

[mark79]

AZOrange, thats a good one... I guess we'd have to consider something from the 6 OT game as well. Maybe the shot that never counted lol

 

[AZOrange]

AZOrange, thats a good one... I guess we'd have to consider something from the 6 OT game as well. Maybe the shot that never counted lol

absolutely...i actually thought about that one as well...

Jeremy McNeil's FTs were biggies...

 

[mark79]

AZ, also amongst my personally experienced all-time favorite Syracuse basketball moments was the all-time attendance record game versus Villanova:


2/27/2010 Villanova
W
95-77
34,616*

I particularly remember the absolute pandemonium after the game, trying to get down the snowy stairs after the game next to Crouse. There was long lineup of people and the stairs were a sheet of ice and what seemed like thousands of people just slipping there way down the stairs in absolute 'Cuse ecstasy lol. It was an SU experience I will never ever forget. The atmosphere in the dome was absolutely insane. Best I have ever experienced there. I was totally hoarse for days...

 

[orangecuse]

Nominee for favorite basketball moments: Sherm's shotgun hike to Stevie.

Yeah, one of my all-time favs too. The only thing that would've been better was if it had occurred in the NC game against them just a few months earlier.

 

[AZOrange]

AZ, also amongst my personally experienced all-time favorite Syracuse basketball moments was the all-time attendance record game versus Villanova:


2/27/2010 Villanova
W
95-77
34,616*

I particularly remember the absolute pandemonium after the game, trying to get down the snowy stairs after the game next to Crouse. There was long lineup of people and the stairs were a sheet of ice and what seemed like thousands of people just slipping there way down the stairs in absolute 'Cuse ecstasy lol. It was an SU experience I will never ever forget. The atmosphere in the dome was absolutely insane. Best I have ever experienced there. I was totally hoarse for days...

God we destroyed that team that day. I dont care what anyone says we were going to win the title that year.

 

[RF2044]

Thanks for posting that video, Jake.

I have a bunch of games from the Pearl / Raf era in my collection, and some of the stuff he was capable of was amazing. Some of those tapes are from BET, and when the bright lights came on, there wasn't a better player than Pearl. Some of the things he could do with the ball were phenomenal--I'm not exaggerating when I say that at times, Georgetown used to try to press him with all five guys to force him to give the ball up. Instead, he'd break the press singlehandedly and get us into transition. We're not talking about the Georgetown of the last decade, we're talking GEORGETOWN--the best defensive team in college basketball. Flynn had a great handle [so did Autry, IMO], but this guy was on a different level.

I think that there are two main reasons why some fans don't put him on the same pedestal as other SU legends. First, the team's NCAA performance during his career [already discussed in this thread] was forgettable.

Second, Pearl didn't play hard all the time. When we were playing a quality opponent, he was a superstar. But he'd often go through the motions against lesser opponents--like in the early portion of the preseason schedule. Meanwhile, he was the biggest star most of those guys would be playing all year, so they'd be sky high to play against him and score 20 while Pearl himself would coast.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Some old NBA video clips of Dave Bing

 

[HakAttack]

No one mentioned that the Pearl Video has one of the best rap tunes of all time...

Big Daddy Kane - "Ain't No Half Steppin"

 

[cuseincincy]

Ah Pearl. Any time is a good time to reminisce about Pearl. Best player? Nope, that's got to go to Dave Bing. Never saw Bing in college but watched him for many years in the NBA and he was one of the best ever. Best PG? With apologies to Mr Bing I've got to go with Sherm. Most exciting? Yep. Best 1 on 1 player? Yep. Best passer" Yep. The college game was played at a slow motion pace for Pearl. It seemed he could make 2 moves for every 1 an opponent could make. A typical Pearl play (though I can't swera it ever actually happened) would be to drive the lane spin off the first defender, juke the second defender, do another spin and while all 3 defenders are laying on the floor find him self in position for a soft 3 ft bank shot off the glass. He was special. I got to know Pearl during some hazy Sugar Mill days and then better when his girlfriend lived in the same apt building as my best friend. He was no angel during or after his time on the hill but always was warm, generous and friendly to a fault.

 

[orangecuse]

Ah Pearl. Any time is a good time to reminisce about Pearl. Best player? Nope, that's got to go to Dave Bing. Never saw Bing in college but watched him for many years in the NBA and he was one of the best ever. Best PG? With apologies to Mr Bing I've got to go with Sherm. Most exciting? Yep. Best 1 on 1 player? Yep. Best passer" Yep. The college game was played at a slow motion pace for Pearl. It seemed he could make 2 moves for every 1 an opponent could make. A typical Pearl play (though I can't swera it ever actually happened) would be to drive the lane spin off the first defender, juke the second defender, do another spin and while all 3 defenders are laying on the floor find him self in position for a soft 3 ft bank shot off the glass. He was special. I got to know Pearl during some hazy Sugar Mill days and then better when his girlfriend lived in the same apt building as my best friend. He was no angel during or after his time on the hill but always was warm, generous and friendly to a fault.

I think you meant Sutter's Mill vs. Sugar...still a bit hazy...

 

[mantonio]

We were 3-3 in NCAA games under Pearl, highlighted by the loss at home to Navy. He came up big in a few games against Gtown, hit the shot vs. BC, and helped win many regular season games, but we never won the BET or advance past the Sweet 16.

That might be more a reflection of the talent surrounding him. After Pearl, Syracuse had a greater collection of talent...

 

[cuseincincy]

I think you meant Sutter's Mill vs. Sugar...still a bit hazy...

Nope. Sugar Mill was in L'Pool on Buckley off 7th North. Sugar Mill, Gin Mill, Sutters Mill...knew them all very very well. Sugar Mill is now I believe the Colorado Mine Company.

 

[stone567]

Greatest guard Sherman ? Did you forget about the greatest player Mr. David Bing...

Cant answer that question. Never saw Bing play.

 

[cuseincincy]

That might be more a reflection of the talent surrounding him. After Pearl, Syracuse had a greater collection of talent...

Don't entirely agree. Pearl's last year he had Raf Addison and Wendell Alexis as seniors. Raf may be the best 2 guard in SU's history and played 11 season in the NBA. Alexis was a very good PF who average 15 and 8 his senior year. Also had Rony Seikaly as well as Greg Monroe as a junior. Pearl had enough talent around him. Gotta believe Addison and Alexis as seniors were better than Coleman and Thompson as frosh.

 

[orangecuse]

Nope. Sugar Mill was in L'Pool on Buckley off 7th North. Sugar Mill, Gin Mill, Sutters Mill...knew them all very very well. Sugar Mill is now I believe the Colorado Mine Company.

Don't remember that one and I grew up not to far from there. :noidea: I think I may of worked in that same building, at 16, when it was the Dutch Pantry, if that's where I think it is. I remember the Gill Mill...also the Jolly Roger and Crossroads Tavern...not too far from the old Ground Round on 7th North.

 

[stone567]

I am going to repeat this comment. I did not see David Bing play, so I cant make a fair comment. I have been watching SU basketball since the Rautins/Santifer/Bruin days.

To this day, I have never seen a more dominant player than Pearl. Loved watching Sherm, Coleman, Stevie, Owens, etc. However, no player was better at taking over a game, day-in and day-out than Pearl. The only one who was even close was Carmelo.

I think it was more than being the best "one-on-one" player and more than being the best players when the TV cameras were on and more than having the best moves. He just was the best. And he made the team better than there talent level suggested they should have been.

I might say Sherm was a better "traditional" point guard, but I argue Pearl was the best player I have ever seen wear a Syracuse uniform (and that is saying a lot when you are in the company of DC, Sherm, Melo, Moten and Owens). He did not have the talent around him that many of the other great players shared and I am not sure of its effect on his "greatness".

However, Pearl was in a class by himself and I don't think he gets the appropriate credit. And it seems as time goes by (and more great players enter the program) and history goes foreward, his standing among the the greats goes down a bit. I find that a bit sad, because there was nothing like watching him in action.

Ultimately, I agree 150% with the comment that the Dome is the House that Pearl built. And that should never be forgotten.

 

[SUGIANT]

You really couldn't hand check back when he played...and it made guarding him almost impossible. Teams like Pitt would tackle him at half court if he played today. Enjoy.

That was great!

 

[mantonio]

Don't entirely agree. Pearl's last year he had Raf Addison and Wendell Alexis as seniors. Raf may be the best 2 guard in SU's history and played 11 season in the NBA. Alexis was a very good PF who average 15 and 8 his senior year. Also had Rony Seikaly as well as Greg Monroe as a junior. Pearl had enough talent around him. Gotta believe Addison and Alexis as seniors were better than Coleman and Thompson as frosh.

I think Coleman was definitely better than those two as an interior threat, which bolstered us greatly. Thompson played taller than his height, & I think, was better than Wendell. Raf was a great shooter, but again, was not the better overall choice...

 

[realorange]

I think Coleman was definitely better than those two as an interior threat, which bolstered us greatly. Thompson played taller than his height, & I think, was better than Wendell. Raf was a great shooter, but again, was not the better overall choice...

True, but not as seniors vs freshman as cuseincincy stated.