Imagine Glen Rice In Today's NBA

Submitted by stephenrjking on

So, I was watching some old clips, and it occurs to me: We kind of default know that Glen Rice was a great player.

After all, he remains the owner of the record for the most points scored in a single NCAA tournament. He had an excellent NBA career. What's not to like?

But the game, as it often does, has changed. It's not a center-oriented sport anymore, and particularly in the last few years the value of the 3-point shot has grown as its efficiency has become better understood. 

So: What do you do with a 6'8 forward who is a career 40% 3-point shooter in the NBA?

Rice would have to adapt himself to the modern game, yes. Defense, etc. But the offensive potential is impressive. Consider that in his best season (96-97), Rice shot 47% from beyond the arc, averaging 5.6 attempts per game. Steph Curry, in 15-16 (not suggesting Rice would be that good, but...) shot 45.4% in his highest ppg season. On twice the attempts.

Rice was a terrific player in his time. With his ability to space and his natural height, and the willingness of coaches to call for 3s in volume, he'd be able to shoot from everywhere today. He could be a top-ten type in the NBA if he were to hit his prime now. 

Naked Bootlegger

March 8th, 2018 at 11:12 PM ^

I watched this game from a random motel off I-75 in Georgia.  My family was roadtripping from Michigan to Florida on Spring Break.  I think this was a very late tip-off.   I was the only one who stayed up to watch the entire game.   

I knew I was witnessing something special after Rice went for 30+ points that night.   What a run.   And what a player. 

Zarniwoop

March 9th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^

I've never seen anyone do what Glen Rice did in any sport.

Only exception is possibly McGuire and Sosa, but they are tainted now.

To be automatic from 3 for an entire tournament + the big ten tournament... Ridiculous.

We'.ll never see anything like it again.

No one is willing to shoot 2000 shots a day anymore. He was.

OwenGoBlue

March 8th, 2018 at 11:34 PM ^

Rice would play more at the 4, get a few more attempts from 3, and miss that alleged Great Alaska Shootout fling with Sarah Palin. 

Other than that I think his career would be similar and he had a really good one; 15 years, 3 All-Star appearances and a ring. 

ThatTCGuy

March 8th, 2018 at 11:45 PM ^

I don't think Glen's game would be that much different in the modern NBA. He'd still be a stretch four, but his volume of shots would be much higher. I could see him averaging 18 ppg on catch and shoot 3s.

Mike Damone

March 9th, 2018 at 12:58 AM ^

Everyone forgets he was the Big Ten leader in rebounding his sophomore year.  Incredible athlete that could get off the floor.  What made him special?

1) He was so athletic and jumped so high that he could hit 3 pointers over defenders.  He did not necessarily need a wide open shot like many 3 point shooters today.

2) His jumper was so darn quick.  In that Sweet Sixteern game v North Carolina, if you get a chance to watch it, with about a minute left and Michigan up by two, he caught the pass, rose up, and released and drilled a 3 pointer so fast it is hard to believe.  Game over...

3) He could drive the lane and create his shot when needed, but becamee more of a 3 point specialist as his later pro career went on.  

4) Before Steph Curry, in his prime, he was one of those 3 point shooters that could drill them on a regular basis well beyond the 3 point line.  He would launch and hit from anywhere.

5) And lastly, he was able to nail a young and very hot Sarah Palin, when Michigan played up at Alaska Anchorage (note - believe we lost that game the year we won the tourney).  And rumor had it - they had sex while he played side one of Led Zeppelin IV.  If that isn't a pro move, I don't know what is.

Man was he good.  His 184 points in the 1989 NCAA tourney run is still a tourney record, and may be one for a long, long time.

 

MaizeMN

March 9th, 2018 at 12:51 AM ^

That was my Sr year at Michigan. A Rose Bowl win and BB NC made it even better. Watching Glen Rice glide up and down the court and shoot so flawlessly was poetry in motion. He is still my favorite player of all time. But, there are certainly a lot more contenders for that distinction in the last several years, under Beilein.

rice4114

March 9th, 2018 at 1:54 AM ^

I love it so much and miss our team from 1989. Imagine Trey Burke drilling 30 each and every game as we win the championship? Those championships should be cherished and at 30 per game all the way to the end? Wow!



Anyway someone mentioned him in Beileins offense. That would be a deadly combo. Rice hit 50%, yes 50% his senior year from 3. Could

you imagine the open looks he would get in a Beilein offense. The NBA keeps reaching for our players that can’t even make 3rd team all big ten when, if they knew what they were doing, they would steal our coach. Thank god they are terrible at what they do.



Dale Ellis and Reggie Miller were also two of my favorites so you can guess UM champ, shooter, Flint guy (my hometown) it was a trifecta and no brainer to love GR41. He even out scored MJ in an All Star game to steal the MVP. Suck it MJ.



If you guys can try to find the game where Rice ran Jon Starks off the court. Starks was all fired up and Glen was smooth as silk. Also his 56 VS the Magic was amazing. Wish the LA experience was better but he did get his championship.



Mike Damone

March 9th, 2018 at 3:17 PM ^

blowout in the 6 games of the tourney.

Thank you Richard Morgan and Virginia for beating Oklahoma, the #1 Seed in the Southeast, in the Sweet Sixteen.  They had seniors Stacey King and Mookie Blaylock that year, and would have been a really tough out in the Elite Eight.  We were a team of destiny that year, and beat the best team in the country Illinois in the Fina Four - but even such a team needs a break or two...

Honk if Ufer M…

March 9th, 2018 at 4:44 AM ^

Someone mentioned silky smooth. I don't think it was easy to see on TV, but if had a great seat close to the basket and he was getting a pass near the basket when he was flying to the hoop for the oop or lay-up, the ball might not have been in the right place or was off on the timing, or a defender came and got in the way, he would just make really subtle smooth mid air adjustments to make it make it look like none of those things happened. It would look like everything was perfect & he didn't have to do anything special but he was actually doing something amazing!

Also, the one time I remember him being at the CCRB he was on the bench waiting for next when I came off the court to wait because my team just lost, he was with his younger cousin & just the way he wrapped his arm around his neck & shoulder and was talking to him was so loving & sweet & big brotherly, it was awesome!

BTB grad

March 9th, 2018 at 9:11 AM ^

He lacked the elite handles of a Curry, Harden, or Kyrie and couldn't shoot off the dribble/step back like these guys can. He was mostly a catch and shoot guy.

Don't get me wrong, he'd be a great player in today's NBA, just not a top 5-10 player as the OP suggests.

WolverineHistorian

March 9th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^

My parents went on a trip to Florida a couple years ago and ran in to Rice at Metro Airport.  He had just left a game at Crisler and was waiting to go home. 

My mom didn't have any paper on her for him to sign his autograph with so he signed a Taco Bell napkin....which I framed, of course. 

JBE

March 9th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^

He’s the best basketball player to ever wear the Michigan uniform.

You put him on any healthy Beilein team, except maybe the first 3 years, and they’re National Champions. I’ve never seen a player take over the tournament like he did. In today’s NBA, he’d have a higher usage, get more shots, and probably average close to 30 a game.

cletus318

March 9th, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^

Top 10 is a big stretch. Glen was an excellent shooter, but he didn't create for others. He also wasn't a great rebounder, and he was below average defensively. I do think the more wide-open game would help his offense, but at the same time, he'd likely be worse defensively.