Overrated and underrated

Sporting News, The, Feb 1, 1999 by Jeff Ryan

Here are 10 NBA players who aren't worth their press clippings and 10 others who deserve recognition for their on-court skills

Overrated

Patrick Ewing, Knicks. His prediction of an NBA title has become as much an annual tradition in New York as the New Year's Eve party in Times Square. And speaking of dropping the ball, that's just what Ewing did at crunch time in Game 7 of the 1994 Finals against Houston. After scoring four points at the start of the fourth quarter, the usually shot-happy center didn't even shoot again until he missed two jumpers in the final three minutes.

In the four postseasons since, the Knicks have departed in the second round. With Ewing on the shelf for most of last year, New York's offense actually ran more smoothly. Ewing was a high-profile negotiator for the players union during the lockout, leading former Knick Charles Oakley to quip that it's too bad the big guy has never led his team with the same kind of passion.

Matt Geiger, 76ers. He's skilled at only one thing and that's rebounding. Regardless, the 76ers acted as though he was the second coming of George Mikan when they signed him to a six-year, $51 million contract. That's an incredible $8.5 million a year for a center who has averaged a whopping 8.6 points during his career, gets fooled repeatedly on defense and whose only claim to fame is that he broke Shaquille O'Neal's thumb in '95.

Penny Hardaway, Magic. He is one of the sport's premier talents, but something is missing. Often, that something is Hardaway, who has sat out 86 games the past two seasons. Though he should be the brightest star in Orlando this side of Mickey Mouse, Hardaway hasn't been happy for a long time, and his mood has fouled the air inside the O-rena. Hardaway was widely believed to have played a role in the ousting of coach Brian Hill, and the point guard welcomed new coach Chuck Daly to town by second-guessing some of Daly's strategy.

If Hardaway is so smart, maybe he ought to consider serving as player/coach. Let's see what kind of job the coaching half of him can do when the playing half is wearing street clothes and bandages.

Juwan Howard, Wizards. The former "Fab Five" member can't do it all himself, but since he has been in Washington, the Bullets/Wizards have done absolutely nothing (three playoff games in four seasons). With Chris Webber gone to Sacramento, this is now Howard's team. How will he respond? Like the budding star who averaged 22.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in '95-96? Or like the screw-up who pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in '96?

Larry Johnson, Knicks. Compared to the incredible contracts that have been handed out in the wake of his, LJ's $8 million-a-year deal looks like a steal. It sure is, but it's Johnson who's pulling off the heist. Instead of filling the team's need for a second superstar who can complement Ewing, Johnson has been a role-playing bust, averaging only 14 points and 5.4 rebounds as a Knick. On top of that, his surly attitude helps set the tone in one of the NBA's most unfriendly locker rooms.

Alonzo Mourning, Heat. He epitomized the self-centered player of the '90s during last year's first-round playoff series against New York. Ignoring his importance to his team, he foolishly got into a fight with old nemesis Larry Johnson in Game 4 and was serving his suspension when the Heat lost by 17 in the deciding fifth game. Mourning has averaged good numbers for his career (21 points, 10 rebounds) and he's a solid defender, but there's still too much Georgetown thug in him.

Says TNT analyst Doc Rivers, "His mind-set is what's holding him back."

Nick Van Exel, Nuggets. When he's on his game, he can drive defenses batty, but he feuded with Lakers coach Del Harris and proof of Van Exel's true worth to L.A. was Jerry West's refusal to keep him in town.

Van Exel is inconsistent, his shot selection is questionable and he has never assumed the role of a floor leader the likes of John Stockton, Gary payton or Stephon Marbury. When a languid Lakers squad was swept by Utah in the playoffs, Van Exel averaged 4.8 points and 2.7 assists below his regular-season averages.

David Robinson, Spurs. "The Admiral" is such a classy guy and consistent regular-season performer that much of the press is reluctant to run him aground. The fact is, however, that he has never been a postseason force because he doesn't play a big man's game. Robinson's forte is the jumper, and in the more physical postseason game, he isn't aggressive or mean enough to take control of a series.

His MVP season of '95 was tainted when Hakeem Olajuwon trampled him for 35.3 points per game in the Western Conference Finals. And in last season's conference semifinals, he frequently disappeared in the fourth quarter as the Spurs were bounced by Utah in five games.

Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers. One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history? Blasphemy! Sure, his thunderous dunks set off car alarms in the Great Western Forum parking lot and Shaq is king of the put-back layup, but have you ever seen an offensive "force" who's so utterly clueless outside the paint? Let's also not forget his sickly 52 percent from the free-throw line last season. Shaq can dominate 3 1/2, quarters, then he becomes a complete liability when he's repeatedly fouled in the last five minutes.