Spotlight question
Here's a question comparing O.J. Mayo and Harold Miner.
Q: Just curious how you might compare the way Harold Miner's early career unfolded at USC to the way O.J. Mayo's is playing out. I guess the crux of the question is how much hyped (or not really) was Miner coming out of Inglewood? If you got to see Miner live at the Sports Arena I'm curious if you'd agree he remains the superior talent in program history until Mayo proves otherwise, if ever...
A: Harold Miner was considered one of the top 20 players in the country and turned down Kansas to attend USC. But this was pre-Internet age and it's really no contest in hype between him and Mayo, who was a top 3 player. Miner also was not 20 years old as a freshman. So he had less expectations.
As for performance, it's easy to forget Miner averaged 20.6 points per game as a freshman. He also shot 42 percent on 3-pointers, which is better than Mayo (36 percent). But I hesitate to compare stats. Mayo is also contributing as a point guard. The bottom line is Miner's a more significant figure because he played three years.
Harold Miner was exciting and charismatic. He was shorter than Mayo at 6'3", but could still put down a wicked dunk. He liked to nervously pick at the soles of his shoes. He too was a bit of a shooting machine, but noone in those days seemed to mind.
Apparently he did not fit in the pro ranks, and I hear he does not heed the SC call to return to the campus. But I will always fondly recall this great Trojan guard.
Harold Miner was exciting and charismatic. He was shorter than Mayo at 6'3", but could still put down a wicked dunk. He liked to nervously pick at the soles of his shoes. He too was a bit of a shooting machine, but noone in those days seemed to mind.
Apparently he did not fit in the pro ranks, and I hear he does not heed the SC call to return to the campus. But I will always fondly recall this great Trojan guard.
Harold Miner's biggest item of hype was his ubiquitous nickname: Baby Jordan.
Miner will forever be the god of SC college hoops. I so wish that he would return to campus for a proper ceremony of recognition. However, I will say that OJ plays better D, plays the point, and has stronger leadership skills. But no one, yet no one, will be able to match Miner's offensive skills at SC, even if they were more conducive to one-on-one than five-on-five. Hope you are doing well, Baby J.
I loved watching Harold Miner in college.
I see a trend developing.... Harold Miner = Bust
Reggie Bush = cheater/bust Matt leche = bust
Dwayne Jarret = Bust Darnell Bing = bust. OVER HYPED - OVER RATED.
Apples and oranges, college vs professional. I don't follow the pros, too boring, so I only care about how kids did in college. Besides, only about 1 in 20 or 30 picks ever make it big in the pros. It is a difficult jump, even more difficult than from high school to college.
To call Minor a "bust" is ridiculous.
Bush is in his second year with a weaker NFL franchise and has done a lot for the N.O. area. I believe his on the field accomplishments will improve.
Jarrett should have stayed at USC another year, but could still become a quality receiver.
Bing, was never "hyped" for the NFL so how could he be a bust?
Overated? By who? Miguelito? They were great college players and have or are taking their shot at the Pros. Everyone knows it is a big step and everyone knows there are so many different things involved that no one realistically should go in with any thing but "wait and see" expectations.