30 years ago today (Ricky Berry)
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I was 11 years old and had attended a basketball camp he had put on a few weeks before this happened. He was very kind and genuine and took the time to connect with each of us that were at his camp. Very tragic, not only because of his basketball talent but more importantly because he was such a good person. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years.
I had just graduated HS. A few months earlier, I was at the game against the Warriors when the KINGS broke the 'then' single game 3-pt record. Ricky Berry was 7 for 10 in that game.
I recall him battling with Derek Smith that season and when Jerry Reynolds started giving him more time, he started to show flashes of becoming a darn good player. His shot was so effortless and silky smooth. I really feel he had the potential to become one of the games all-time best shooters.
Losing Ricky Berry was a huge setback to the franchise. They landed Mitch Richmond a few seasons later, but imagine if they had both!
There's such a very thin line of luck for NBA franchises. I mean, imagine if HS stars were able to come straight out of HS in 1989 as they were able to do just a few years later. The KINGS very likely would have had Shaquille O'Neal with the 1st pick in the 1989 draft. And if the Ricky Berry tragedy hadn't happened that Summer, they just might have had the next up and coming young team -- until Shaq decided to move on after year 5
Shaq, Ricky Berry, Kenny Smith, Danny Ainge, Wayman Tisdale, Rodney McCray, Antoine Carr, Vinny Del Negro
Not a bad roster. Lots of shooters to go with what would become a dominant big within a couple seasons.
And hell, given Shaq would have come into the league at 18 instead of 21, the KINGS might have still ended up with Lionel Simmons in the 1990 draft and the #3 pick in 1991 that eventually landed them Mitch Richmond. Adding those players into the mix would have made SAC a very formidable team.
Of course there's no telling what would have happened in the 1989 - 1991 seasons and who the KINGS might have ended up with, but, still, having that list of players minus Richmond and Simmons still would have been a lot of fun to see and a lot better than what became reality.
As I said, it's a fine line between good fortune and bad luck.
I recall him battling with Derek Smith that season and when Jerry Reynolds started giving him more time, he started to show flashes of becoming a darn good player. His shot was so effortless and silky smooth. I really feel he had the potential to become one of the games all-time best shooters.
Losing Ricky Berry was a huge setback to the franchise. They landed Mitch Richmond a few seasons later, but imagine if they had both!
There's such a very thin line of luck for NBA franchises. I mean, imagine if HS stars were able to come straight out of HS in 1989 as they were able to do just a few years later. The KINGS very likely would have had Shaquille O'Neal with the 1st pick in the 1989 draft. And if the Ricky Berry tragedy hadn't happened that Summer, they just might have had the next up and coming young team -- until Shaq decided to move on after year 5
Shaq, Ricky Berry, Kenny Smith, Danny Ainge, Wayman Tisdale, Rodney McCray, Antoine Carr, Vinny Del Negro
Not a bad roster. Lots of shooters to go with what would become a dominant big within a couple seasons.
And hell, given Shaq would have come into the league at 18 instead of 21, the KINGS might have still ended up with Lionel Simmons in the 1990 draft and the #3 pick in 1991 that eventually landed them Mitch Richmond. Adding those players into the mix would have made SAC a very formidable team.
Of course there's no telling what would have happened in the 1989 - 1991 seasons and who the KINGS might have ended up with, but, still, having that list of players minus Richmond and Simmons still would have been a lot of fun to see and a lot better than what became reality.
As I said, it's a fine line between good fortune and bad luck.
Tremendous article, BTW.
I had no idea Marc Spears knew him or was a big fan. I remember when it happened selfishly wanting to know what Ricky had written in his letter. Of course it was kept private back then. Thanks to Mr. Spears for now shedding some light on what was written and why he did what he did.
Ricky Berry's suicide was a tragedy and a huge setback for the Kings. Petrie had gone out and acquired a 1st rd pick to get Berry. I was a season ticket holder then, and I got to see him up close and personal. He reminded me of Reggie Miller with his ability to come flying off a screen at the top of the circle and shoot the ball. He was on his way to becoming a star, and then, his depression got the best of him. It almost crushed Bobby Gerald, who was a close friend of Ricky's.
One always wonders what might have been, not only for us the fans and the Kings, but for Ricky, who was so talented. I started to wonder if the curse of the Indian burial ground actually had some merit. Someone mentioned Derrick Smith. Another, but different disaster. The trade for him set the Kings back at least two years.
One always wonders what might have been, not only for us the fans and the Kings, but for Ricky, who was so talented. I started to wonder if the curse of the Indian burial ground actually had some merit. Someone mentioned Derrick Smith. Another, but different disaster. The trade for him set the Kings back at least two years.
