Stephen Jackson (PA Lincoln 95) vs. Omar Sneed (Bmt. Westbrook 95)

[Guest DickVitale]

Charles Barkley(6'4) and Mark Aquire(6'6) could not play in the NBA?  They had no guard skills?l

There is no comparison...Barkley NEVER played with his back to the basket..HS or at Auburn...Aguirre WAS a guard...Omar played POST at WB and at Memphis...Yes he could knock down the 15 footer, but he could not play the guard OR small forward position effectively in the NBA.

[westend1]

Maybe you're right but Aquirre played with Brad Davis, then Derek Harper at the point and Blackman at the two spot.  And I recall Barkley backing down players a lot during his career.  I guess that's what you call back to the basket> ???

[Guest DickVitale]

NO...When I say playing with his back to the basket, I don't mean backing anyone down, I mean actually playing the POST position...i.e. Shaq, or Yao...Yes, Yao shoots jumpers (too many, if you ask me) but primarily he is playing with his back to the basket and posting...Hope that clears that up for ya!

[BLUEDOVE3]

Omar could score with the best of them, but he was what is called a "tweener". Too small to play post in the league, yet at 6'6, had no guard skills, and would have been a liability defensively either way.  To put it into perspective, Kobe is 6'6..T-Mac is 6'8..Stevie is 6'8...Paul Pierce is 6'7..These are all NBA GUARDS...Where was Omar gonna fit? 

My exact sentiments. Which brings up another point. It's sad but many young kids are playing positions that does not require them to use their dribbling skills. But many don't think about the fact that they will be guard material as far as height/size later on in their careers.