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[QUOTE="RF2044, post: 1743968, member: 40"]
I think Kenny Smith nailed it in the TNT telecast [and no disrespect intended toward Pearl].  Paraphrasing, Pearl peaked early, his physique gave him an advantage warding off defenders through the collegiate level, and things came easy to him.  The work ethic wasn't quite there because the game was so easy for him up to that point.

When he got to the NBA, he couldn't overpower defenders the way he could at the previous level, he wasn't always in the best shape, and his work ethic wasn't where it needed to be [compared to many other NBA players, who would cut off their arms if need be to keep earning an NBA paycheck].

I don't think Kenny was knocking Pearl, I think it was just a statement of fact--and in no way diminishes the accomplishments Pearl had, nor his status as a basketball phenom / icon.

Frankly, the mere fact that Pearl was an NBA player and played for three years is indicative of MAKING IT, even if his professional career didn't go as well as we as die hard SU fans would have liked / hoped.

PS--on an unrelated note, I actually saw Pearl play in his final NBA season.  It was the inaugural season of the Miami Heat - 1988 - and Seikaly was a rookie.   We were in Miami on vacation, and my dad took me to the game.  I was excited both because it was my first NBA game but also because of the two SU players.  Rony didn't do much, but Pearl had a pretty good game, even though he pulled a muscle in his groin and had to come out of the game, which was disappointing.

[URL]http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198812260MIA.html[/URL]
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