A real attempt at making the All-Time Portland Trail Blazers team
By Minh Dao
Small Forward: Jerome Kersey
Portland Tenure
- 1984-1995
- 12-6-2 on 48 field goal percent and 70 free throw percent
Peak PDX Season
1988: 53-29, fourth in the West, first round, 19-8-3 on 50 field goal percent and 74 free throw percent
Accolades (during tenure)
N/A
“Romeo” and “Mercy Kersey” are just a couple of nicknames for one of my favorite Blazers ever. Jerome Kersey is the hard-working, glue guy from Virginia. A fan favorite that everybody loved.
Whenever he touched the floor, he would play his heart out. He could defend the ball, switch onto bigger guys and display his defensive versatility in any form he could.
Not only was he the perfect Blazer role player, but he’s the perfect role player for the All-Time Blazers team.
Kersey was never quite the scorer, but he didn’t need to be. He made it up in other ways.
In this example, he would help secure the perimeter defense where the guards sometimes have trouble. He’ll take the opponent’s best scorer, crash the glass for an extra possession and scrap for loose balls.
Not every player has to be able to score, and Kersey fits the bill like the perfect puzzle piece.
He was a knowledgable cutter and filled the lanes in transition. He didn’t ask for extra shots and is the perfect chemistry fit in a team full of stars.
Sometimes there isn’t enough basketballs to go around, but that’s fine for Kersey. He can fit in any lineup and be effective. That is just what he does.