HT: 6-9 | WT: 235 | AGE: 24 | YR: 3
PTS: 9.1 | REB: 5.8 | BLK: 0.9
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
Austin Croshere didn't get many minutes in his first two seasons, but he has really stepped up and played a valuable role in his third season with the Indiana Pacers.
At 6-foot-9, Croshere has come from nowhere and demonstrated a versatile game. Playing major minutes off the bench, he has shown an ability to shoot three-pointers, post up inside and put the ball on the loor. He is a surprisingly strong rebounder and defender. Although he is shooting only 40.4 percent from the field, I don't see him taking many bad shots. Technically and mechanically, he is a good shooter.
When he enters the game, he gives the Pacers a big lift. I think he is helping to fill the void that Antonio Davis left when he went to Toronto. The complaint from the Pacer coaches about Davis was that he was very inconsistent. He would have great games and other games when you didn't know he was on the floor. I think Croshere is more consistent than Davis. He will come and play hard every night.
In a game against Miami, I was surprised when Croshere came in and blocked a couple of shots on Alonzo Mourning and defended Mourning. When it appeared that Mourning would have a good advantage, it didn't work out that way. He is impressive and one of the reasons why the Pacers have played good basketball lately. Along with their core of veterans, the Pacers have some talented young players, and Croshere is part of that mix.
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HT: 6-5 | WT: 210 | AGE: 30 | YR: 8
PTS: 9.0 | REB: 2.7 | AST: 2.4
By Kevin Loughery
Special to ESPN.com
Jon Barry has become a valuable player for the Sacramento Kings. When he missed nine games in December with a lower back strain, the Kings struggled, losing six games.
Their bench, called "The Bench Mob," has created a tremendous identity, with Barry, Lawrence Funderburke, Predrag Stojakovic, Scot Pollard and Darrick Martin. When they enter the game together, they are a very effective unit. They play a long time together, have great chemistry and really factor in the Kings' victories. They play terrific defense and are aggressive.
I give a lot of credit to head coach Rick Adelman. He allows the bench players to stay in the game when they are performing well. He doesn't give them a quick hook. They play a lot of minutes, particularly Barry, who is the leader of that unit. He is more critical to that group than the other players.
With Nick Anderson not playing as well as he has in the past, Barry plays the big minutes at the end of the game. He is an excellent foul shooter (89.1 percent), which helps the Kings in tight games down the stretch.
Although this is his eighth year in the league, Barry has really improved his game. He hustles, scores and can shoot the three-pointer. He seems to be in the right place at the right time in his career.
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