AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTake your pick: Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks or Georgia’s Mike Mercer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Take your pick: Georgia’s Mike Mercer or Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks
Who will be a better pro?
Both Mercer (6-4) and Meeks (6-5) have the size and the handles to play at the next level.
Mercer has reaped the benefits of rebuilding his formerly awkward looking jumper. The sophomore out of South Gwinnett is fourth in the SEC scoring at better than 17 a night. But it’s his ability to elevate at the rim that makes him look like a future pro.
Meeks has looked every bit the freshman at times. Other times, he’s looked like an All-Conference performer. He oozed confidence during his career-high 18-point performance in a win against Louisville. This week’s SEC Freshman of the Week, Meeks has a ways to go but the future is plenty bright.
They both possess NBA potential, but they’ve still got a lot to prove at the college level. I’ll take Mercer as the better pro because of his slashing ability. That’s something that I haven’t seen yet out of Meeks at Kentucky.
Will either Meeks or Mercer be a better pro than Philadelphia second-year guard Louis Williams (South Gwinnett)?
It’s hard to figure out Williams as a pro. He drops down into the developmental league and goes crazy. He was also among the leading scorers in summer league. But he’s done very little when he gets time with the Sixers. His prolific performances against lesser talent makes me believe it’s just a matter of time before he gains the experience needed to be effective in the NBA. His lack of playmaking skills—only three assists in his last six games—is a concern if he’s going to be a point guard, though. You just don’t see many 6-1 shooting guards.
Still, Williams is a better athlete than Meeks or Mercer. So his ceiling is higher. I’ll take Williams to have the best NBA career out of the three.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum
Comments
By Norcross2007
December 20, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this
Willimas rushed into the pros. He should have gone to college for a couple of years and received an education and the experience needed. In that regard, either Meeks or Mercer have him beat! Meeks is still a freshman so give him time to mature, but knowing his family background, it will come. What can I say, I respect Mercer but I am a Blue Devil! Go Jodie!!
By BJ
December 20, 2006 04:17 AM | Link to this
I like Mercer, but he needs to go through one more shot makeover. It’s still quite an ugly shot. For that I blame his old coaches.
As far as who is the best pro it’s a pretty easy answer. Louis is going to be very good and soon. Look at the games he gets minutes in… he is fairly productive. Next year he’ll be a fine pro.
Meeks isn’t nearly the athlete of Mercer or Williams, but you can never count a shooter out.
By Brooks
December 20, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
Louis Williams got jealous, bad advice and now look at his situation. 40 something draft pick and the Development League. He will bounce around the NBA and be gone in 5 years. Look at Greg Oden. He did the right thing. Probably 1 year in college. No. 1 draft pick. He will prove himself. You should not enter early unless you are a guaranteed 1st rounder with a guaranteed contract. That’s just my opinion. Mike Mercer is a great talent and will do great things in Athens. Right now he is what Georgia needs. Young, athletic, and a scorer. Needs better shot selection at times. He will be fine. NBA is a possibility in 2 years. GO DAWGS
By David P.
December 20, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
B.J. … My biggest concern with Louis in the future is, for his size, he just doesn’t seem to be a good enough passer. How many 6-1 shooting guards are there?
By Mark
December 20, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
My take on Mercer is that when he learns how to play the game, he will be incredible. He is still learning how to be a complete basketball player and when he does there will be something special to watch. The guy is already a freakish athlete and can control a game on the defensive end and with his slashing on offense. Needs to bang down free throws and stay in the gym with that jump shot.
By Coach
December 20, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
First thing that I’d like to say is Louis who??? Who ever made that kid think that he was SUPERMAN forgot to tell him about KRYPTONYTE…there are plenty of high scorers in high school and college, but what seperates WHO?? from the pro’s is consistency to do all of the intangibles. I f it wasn’t for Mo Cheeks saving his career(bad decision)for entering the $$league, he would probaly be known as the basketball player formerly known as LOUIS WMS!What about all the best athletes that did the right thing by going to college…at 6 1” you dont make that decision 6’5”-6’6” no brainer. Were where the parents…maybe waiting on the shoe deal that NEVER soled-up? If his HS coach would have forced him to be a true PG that is a triple threat- asst,score and asst. Then maybe this discussion would truley be about the above better off college players.
If I had to choose I’m taking Mercer, he was a better player in HS than (who?)That team would still have won, the pg that played behind LW kept things in prospective because all he knew was the maximize it’s scoring oppertunities. Mercer is learning from a GREAT coach, he can’t help but get better. LW will be looking at his former teammate wondering what that college experience would have did to his game.
Look at the history of all the great lil generals of the NBA…Slick Watts, Tiny Archibalb,Issiah, Price(GA. Tech)Mo Cheeks, Stockton, A.I., Chris Paul, Steve Nash, The Bibbys…Etc the college experience sets them apart because they played against the very best potential pro’s not HSchoolers who think they are pro’s…BIG Difference…Big UP’S Mercer enjoy the fruits of hard labor.
By LT
December 21, 2006 04:35 AM | Link to this
Brooks…you don’t know what you are talking about. Your “opinion” is null. Oden didn’t not have a choice. He had to go to college because of the new NBA requirement to go to college for one year. Get a clue. You probably can’t even dribble a basketball. What the hell do you even know about basketball to make such ignorant comments. Put down the computer and get a life.
By RL
December 21, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Louis WMS was and still is the best HS basketball player I have ever seen. There was nothing wrong with LW taking an opportunity 98% of Americans will never receive. The first two years in the PROS had afforded LW experience College simply could not give him. Yes, I am a Louis WMS fan. The other two players are not in his league, so stop comparing apples to organges. Learn the game for you make a claim!
By DJ
December 21, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
It’s obvious you have not seen that many good basketball players. Louis was a good player offensively in high school. Yea he could shoot whenever he wanted, he could turn over the ball whenever he wanted, and he didn’t play defense ever. He was made to look better than he really was because of the ally-oops givin to him by Mercer. Well they didn’t give him those in the McDonald’s game. He looked just average when not catered to. He doesn’t move well without the ball and you will soon see that his game is not pro level. As far as 98% of Americans receiving that botched opportunity Louis had 90% would have chose a college education than pursued that opportunity. You don’t learn crap sitting on the bench in the NBA. Mercer will learn much more in college and become a good pro some day, and if he doesn’t at least he will have some sort of education to fall back on. So stop comparing apples to oranges!
By DJ
December 21, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
It’s obvious that you have not seen very many good HS basketball players. The opportunity Louis took was a terrible opportunity. Half of good high school players could have went that low in the draft. Sitting on the bench in the pro’s does not compare to playing full time in college. You don’t learn crap on the NBA bench. Louis was good but his team was doo doo before Mercer came to help them. Mercer wil be a better pro. Quit comparing apples to oranges. Learn the game before you make a a claim!
By dog
December 21, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
Jodie!!! He is just as good if not better right now and he is only a freshman. Mercer isa good player on a bad team.
By DJ
December 22, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
Hey dog, Mercer’s stats as a freshman 11pt, 3reb, 1.6assist, 2 steals Jodies stats so far 7pt, 1.8reb, 1.4assist. .5 steals. Do your math dog and by the way Georgia will beat Kentucky this year!
By Peach State Sports
December 24, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
In my opinion, Jodie Meeks will be a better pro that Mike Mercer or Louis Williams. It goes to his HS training, Norcross HS made him a better all-around player. Whereas, Mercer and Williams really didn’t develop during their HS years. However, I think Mercer will also make it to the pros. If Louis Williams went to college and learn to play point guard, he would probably have an easier road in the league but at least he is a millionaire; which is more than any amount of college could have guaranteed him. Just the discussion of these 3 players and the NBA speaks volumes for Georgia basketball talent.
By coach
December 24, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
David,there needs to be a way to have our names reserved. there is another guy talking trash using my screen name.
By N.O
December 28, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
Let me shed a little light on some of you. I’m A senior at south Gwinnett HS so I got to see Lou and mike play EVERY NIGHT. Mike was ranked #20 in the nation and louis #1 for a reason. Defensively those two are pretty much mirror images of each other, their awareness is incredible. When they used to play one on one in practice their defens made it seem like they were going to ditch the ball and start fighting each oither at any second. Louis always won though. It was close but his offense won over in the end.
If you had to relate them to NBA players Loui would be Steve Francis for the rockets, explosive and always putting poins on the board. And mike is Cuttino Mobley slashing, passing, slashing, always thinking and reading defense for the best logical outcome.
Don’t get me wrong louis isn’t a do or die player it’s just that when he took a three pointer from 40ft. It goes in and if mike tried that shot he would either come up too long or too short. BUT mike doesn’t usually take that shot b/c he knows where his game is most effective.
As far as scoring in the paint, neither one of them could be touched. An average HS would get hammerd every time. I remeber a game when lois went 9/9 from 3pt land and hod 40 points. Mike didn’t take one, but he still made his average of 22pts. per game. I’ve seen mike make five threes in a game but i’ve also seen him miss five threes so horribly that if it was anyone else they’d be booed out of the gym. But it’s mike so everyone in the gym just get’s quiet b/c they knew we were still going to win the game. Mike is an exellent player far above average and college is right where he belongs. I like his shot now of course.
BUT Louis willians Was explosive period. Instant offense anytime you needeed it. The only reason we didn’t win state in 2005 was because our POINT GUARD Delano Howard (Georgia State) was injured so our offense didn’t flow as well and we lost by one point and yes MIKE was there, and so was louis. They were the ones with tears rolling down their cheeks out of the shame of a sifinal exit afer winning state the previous year. That just shows you that it’s still a team game and neither one of them could have done it alone.
So riddle me this why on god’s green earth, when ou’ve recived the n uber one player ranking in the nation would you go up to the college level just to SPANK the same kids the you were embarassing in High School.
BTW the D-Leauge has tons of college grads in it and they aren’t doing any better againt louis. Mike was also a better student is HS which helped them make their decisions.
(shout out to Will “the thrill” Bynum from GT. 24ppg and D-leauge MVP in 05-06 season).
By BP
December 28, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
Louis Williams makes $400k before taxes not quite millionaire status yet. On the other hand how many kids come out of high school and make that kind of money, so I aint mad at him. However I watched South Gwinnette play many times over the years and I thought Mike Mercer was the key to that team with his defense presences and athleticism. He wasn’t that great of a shooter but he could score. I think Mike will be a good prospect once he tweeks his game a little, primarily his jump shot.
Louis has not yet ascerted himself and shown the confidence he exhibited in high school, with the additional playing time I’m sure it will come. Having said that I do feel he could have used a year or two of college to fine tune his game.
By N.O
December 28, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Please Excuse some of my grammatical and spelling errors in the previous post lol. I forgot to state that louis wins out of the three hands down. Joidie is nice and mike……….well he’s mike what more can you say. But lou is just on a completly diffirent planet talent wise and it’s called the NBA. Jodie + Mike = Hard work ethic Louis= Destined to play ball before he left his mothers womb.