Mercy Mercy

R.I.P. Jerome Kersey.

I was stunned to learn of the sudden passing of Jerome Kersey, leaving us with just three of the Bill Schonely-proclaimed "Best Starting Five in the NBA". Kersey was more likely to get a floorburn than knock down a clutch jumper, but he parlayed his draft selection out of a small college in Farmville, Virginia into a long and successful NBA career. He had been very active with the Blazers in recent days, both a consistent presence at their games and in TV work with the local cable network that covers the team.

Kersey was the starting small forward for the Blazers in the peak of their late '80s-to-early '90s run where they made two NBA Finals appearances, coming up just short against both the Bad Boys of Detroit and peak Michael Jordan in separate years. He was all hustle and tenacity on the floor. He competed in multiple slam dunk contests (runner-up to Jordan at one point) and took home an elusive championship ring as a member of the Spurs in 1999.



As the Schonz would say, Mercy Mercy, Jerome Kersey!