Underneath, Lindsey has true talent

Go ahead. Tell Nurideen Lindsey he is everything that's wrong with basketball.

Look the Overbrook junior right in his eyes. Then tell him his area-best 34.4 points per game average is worthless.

Go ahead. Explain to the person with the evil stare why he's nothing more than a hip-hop blaring, tattoo-wearing, Allen Iverson wannabe.

Tell him he's the reason the Panthers didn't make the Public League playoffs.

But use extreme caution. You may eat your words.

"People are judging me by my tattoos, by the way I dress and things like that," Lindsey said. "When they really get to know me, they know that I am a good guy. They know I am a real down-to-earth guy."

Even the forewarning doesn't take away the negative label placed on this 16-year-old. Rarely do people talk about the 6-foot-3 wing guard's quick first step or the way he embarrasses defenders. His defensive lapses, perceived cherry-picking and on-court outbursts always seem to be the topics of discussion.

Another criticism? His apparent refusal to pass the ball late in one game. What critics don't know is that only four teammates joined him at practice two days before that game. Another teammate was sluggish after hanging out until 1 a.m. on the day of the game.

Few realize when Lindsey makes a pass, "his teammates might not be ready for it," Overbrook coach Freddie Stokes said.

That's why Lindsey feels as if he has to do it all on his own this season. That's why he has complained openly on the court in the midst of an eight-game losing streak.

"It's real frustrating for me," said Lindsey, who was enrolled at American Christian at the start of the school year. "I came back to the school for a lot of the guys, for them being seniors. I wanted to try to help the guys do a little more than what we did last season."

Excited about the prospects, he transferred back to Overbrook a week into the school year. If only he was shown the same loyalty.

A season removed from a 12-10 campaign, the Panthers finished a dismal 8-16.

Through it all, Lindsey, who already has orally committed to La Salle, still managed a memorable single-season performance.

His 34.4 scoring average earned him the Southeastern Pennsylvania scoring title. He was even better against Public League opponents, averaging 35.8 points.

That was the sixth-highest average in league play behind Wilt Chamberlain's 47.2 points for Overbrook in 1955; Kareem Townes' 41.2 for Southern in '91; Eric White's 38.1 for Bodine in '91, Chamberlain's 37.8 in '54; and Maureece Rice's 37.3 for Strawberry Mansion in '02.

Lindsey (1,347 points) ranks second all-time behind Chamberlain (2,206) on Overbrook's career scoring list.

"Once I teach him how to shoot a jump shot, you will be looking at the next Kobe Bryant," said Stokes, the Public League scoring champion (28.8) for West Philly in '68. "Once he learns how to shoot the pull-up jumper, it's over."

It's not definite that Lindsey will return to Overbrook for his senior season. He is considering transferring to a prep school.

No matter where he winds up, the thin teenager with baggy pants and 10 tattoos will continue to be judged by his appearance and outward emotion. Just know this: Most of his tattoos honor deceased family members.

"I lost those family members due to the violence of the streets and natural causes," he said. "They never had an opportunity to see me play."

The body ink "motivates me," Lindsey said.

In regards to his outward emotion, Lindsey knows it's something he has to work on. His coach repeatedly tells him to be aware of his surroundings. You never know who is watching in the stands.

"It takes one play and they think you have a bad attitude, opposed to saying that's the fire and competitiveness in the person," Stokes said. "And he's made strides."

That's why Stokes puts Lindsey in an elite status.

"He's probably one of the better players that I've coached," Stokes said, "and I had tons of them. . . . Like I tell him, I just have to keep him grounded."