ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
I think the Bobcats will be proven right, for taking Morrison instead of Gay. Gay is a headcase and has little heart from what I've heard.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Adam Morrison
- Thread starter Jimmy Chitwood
- Start date
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
In the recent 1-10 shooting letdown,
Morrison
was being litterally "harrased" by Bruce
Bowen...who
I think is a cheap defender. He gets away with alot (things like hand
checks) and has also been
responsible for a few leg injuries to players by getting under their
legs while they're shooting...To me it looked as though the reason for
Morrison's bad performance was him being too cautious with the ball.
He's going to have to get a little more physical now that he's on the
NBA level with guys like Bruce Bowen. I have faith that his play will
improve though, he is unbelievably competitive...Go Stache man!
Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Morrison
was being litterally "harrased" by Bruce
Bowen...who
I think is a cheap defender. He gets away with alot (things like hand
checks) and has also been
responsible for a few leg injuries to players by getting under their
legs while they're shooting...To me it looked as though the reason for
Morrison's bad performance was him being too cautious with the ball.
He's going to have to get a little more physical now that he's on the
NBA level with guys like Bruce Bowen. I have faith that his play will
improve though, he is unbelievably competitive...Go Stache man!
Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
GreatLakeState
Mentor
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,057
Breaking down Morrisons' struggles -- which are vast, as according to
this he's one of the worst players in the league, but doesn't have to be:
By David Thorpe
ESPN.com
Archive
Scouting Adam Morrison: Offense | Defense | Outlook
The top two collegiate players last season, Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick,
face each other Thursday night for the first time, as Morrison's Charlotte
Bobcats host Redick's Orlando Magic.
Kent Smith/Getty Images
Clean looks at the rim aren't what they used to be.
As they share the floor, they have one other thing in common -- skeptics
who doubt that their college stardom will translate into big-time NBA
success.
Redick's injuries and inexperience have kept him mostly on the sidelines
since the summer, though he did log 16 scoreless minutes on
Wednesday. He has six points on 2-for-9 shooting this season, including
one 3-pointer.
Morrison, meanwhile, has had some success so far, at least superficially.
He's had six games with 20 or more points, and he was selected the
NBA's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
A deeper study, however, reveals ample evidence thus far that the
skeptics were right. Morrison averages 13.3 points per game, which leads
all rookies by a wide margin -- but he is putting up 13.7 field-goal
attempts per game and is shooting just 36.8 percent from the field. He's
collecting only 2.8 rebounds per game, despite his 6-8 frame, and he is
averaging just 2.0 assists per game, despite handling the ball often.
His player efficiency rating, which measures a player's overall
contributions per minute, is 7.29 (the average PER is 15.00), which ranks
Morrison last in the NBA by far among all players averaging 30 or more
minutes. The NBA's only starter with a lower PER is defensive specialist
Jason Collins of New Jersey, while Morrison is a disaster on defense. So,
while harsh, it is fair to call Adam Morrison the worst regular in the NBA
according to the stats -- at least so far this season.
But is he a bust? I don't think so. Let's dig beneath the numbers to see
what kind of player Morrison is now and what kind of potential he has.
OFFENSE
The roots of his shooting struggles
Morrison came into the league as a scorer rather than merely a shooter
(unlike Redick, who is known as a pure shooter). This means Morrison not
only knocks down open shots but also finds ways to create and finish on
his own.
I've watched Morrison a great deal over the past two-plus seasons (two
seasons at Gonzaga, and so far in the NBA), and even more intently in
recent weeks.
One obvious fact is that he has a lot of talent as a scorer -- that's how
you average 28 points per game. He did this with the polished stroke of
what we call a "driveway shooter" along with a "street-ball feel" for the
game -- a rare combination.
On the college level, there was a simplicity to his effectiveness.
Morrison: College vs. Pros
Category
2005-06
Gonzaga
Junior year
2006-07
Bobcats
(as of 12/13)
Points
28.1
13.3
Rebounds
5.5
2.8
Assists
2.8
2.0
Blocks
0.3
0.1
Turnovers
2.3
1.9
FG%
.498
.368
FT%
.772
.678
Minutes
36.5
34.0
First, he has excellent size at 6-8. His size prevented most college
defenders from challenging his shot effectively, which gave Morrison the
calm to focus without worrying about whether his shot would be blocked.
That calm is deeply important for shooters. In a sense, almost every jump
shot he took was uncontested.
In the NBA, he is often seeing the hand of a tall, quick, capable defender.
This is one reason his field goal percentage on 2-point shots is 37.3,
barely above his 3-point percentage of 35.4. On 3-pointers, the defender
has more ground to cover to get to Morrison and thus is often not close
enough to distract him as the shot is launched, whereas inside the line
the spacing is tighter.
Most of Morrison's jumpers -- whether off the dribble or in catch-and-
shoot situations -- look good, but most of them don't go in, despite the
shooting ability he showed in college. These missed shots are usually a
result of two things -- a lack of confidence and a disrupted rhythm.
Simply put, he's not yet comfortable making a shot with a hand in his
face. His overall discomfort has hurt him even at the free-throw line,
where he's hitting only 67.8 percent.
In college, especially on his patented runners, Morrison often seemed a
man among boys, seemingly able to throw in any shot from any angle off
the dribble, in part because his view of the hoop and his shooting motion
were unobstructed thanks to his size advantage. These were shots that
are not easily taught or replicated, and it often looked as if Morrison were
lucky they went in. It was not luck -- he is a very gifted player.
But talent alone was not enough to get Morrison to the high level he
reached at Gonzaga. Genuine confidence and permission from the coach
to miss shots were required as well (otherwise known as being "the man").
But Morrison is not yet "the man" in Charlotte. So, while his instincts are
special and his skill level is very high, he has several obstacles to
overcome before he can become a consistent scorer for the Bobcats.
Offense: With the ball
With the ball in his hands, Morrison is always looking to score. He can
catch and shoot, show a shot fake and drive (usually to the right), or work
a little with the jab step before driving.
I saw very little space creation at the point of attack, either for a no-
dribble shot or a drive. His shot fake is excellent, but his jab series is
poor -- that's not uncommon for a young player.
Morrison has not yet developed the habit of working to get the proper
attack angles in his drives. Too often he makes a shallow dribble drive
that is easily defended.
If he does get some space and the proper angle on a drive, he usually
does an excellent job of putting his body on his defender and cutting off
the defender's options at getting better position. This is a skill most good
scorers have -- a great understanding of how to use their body as a
weapon.
Morrison has terrific body control when he finishes -- he is normally
balanced on the release or moving smoothly. His range of finishing
options is somewhat limited -- a pull-up jumper with a slight fade, a
step-back jumper or a runner that he shoots off one leg. The mechanics
all look sound though not great.
Morrison can score in the post and can take advantage of his size inside,
but he has rarely attempted to do so. I suspect the Charlotte coaches will
direct Morrison to do this more often.
D. Lippitt/Einstein/Getty Images
Dunks have been few and far between for the 6-8 Morrison.
In fact, according to 82games.com, an astounding 90 percent of
Morrison's shots have been jumpers. For a player with Morrison's scoring
ability, and with such a low field-goal percentage, that is an extremely
high number, comparable to that of better shooters such as Kyle Korver.
Morrison is quite accomplished at the two-man game on side ball
screens, having a good feel as to when he should shoot or pass to his
screener. He does a nice job looking for and feeding the post as well.
Morrison also is willing to make easy pass plays when his scoring options
are well-defended, which is rare for a scorer. Though he leads his team in
shots attempted, he does not play selfishly. When help defenders pinch
on him, he makes the pass to the open man.
But Morrison does not see the entire floor and make passes that account
for the other nine players on the floor. Despite the similarities in
appearance and demeanor, he's no Larry Bird.
His ballhandling in general is average to below average for a perimeter
player. My simple test on this is, Does the ball make him faster or slower?
In most cases, his dribble speeds are equal to his normal running speed.
He is not a threat to blow by his defender off the dribble, but he can
advance it under full-court pressure.
Offense: Without the ball
When Morrison is running around screens as part of a set action or
pattern, he displays a good knowledge of changing speeds and takes the
proper angles off those screens to get open.
He is not yet consistent at what I call "Reggie Millers" -- sprinting around
deep screens and shooting 3s while squaring up before the defender can
find and cover him. Morrison likely will become adept at this skill in time,
causing major problems for opponents.
Morrison works fairly hard at getting open against a denying defender.
Morrison's feel for sliding to the open spot on the perimeter is OK, but
not great -- too often he remains stationary when a slide or cut is a
better option.
Morrison makes a decent effort in transition and does exhibit some nice
finishing moves at the rim. Transition is another area where he can use
his size and creative scoring touch to his advantage. But he is not a threat
to lead the break as many wing players in the NBA are.
Morrison is a disaster thus far as an offensive rebounder. In 714 minutes,
he has managed to collect a total of seven offensive rebounds (three were
on Wednesday, so perhaps he's getting a clue).
To gain some perspective, consider that the backup point guard in
Denver has nine offensive boards in only 405 minutes. Yes, that's right,
Earl Boykins at 5-foot-5 and playing fewer minutes has more offensive
rebounds than Morrison. There is simply no excuse for this. The Bobcats
must get more offensive boards from their No. 3 pick.
(See below for more on Morrison's rebounding "technique.")
DEFENSE
If Morrison is a disaster as an offensive rebounder, the best word to
describe his defense is pathetic. Both his effort and his effectiveness are
truly subpar.
People often say that Morrison "plays no defense." They are right.
Joe Murphy/Getty Images
This stance may look OK, but that's about it on defense.
I call it a "disinclination to defend." Here's what I mean:
Morrison rarely denies his man important spots on the floor; in fact, he
does not even attempt to most of the time.
Once a defender catches the ball, Morrison stands passively in front of
him, upright instead of bent into an athletic position. As the offensive
player is deciding to dribble, pass or shoot, Morrison does nothing to
influence his actions. Often he leaves his arms hanging down at his sides
and his feet rooted to the ground. If the opponent makes the decision to
drive, Morrison provides little resistance and often stops sliding his feet
after a few dribbles.
A few thoughts about fouling: NBA players sometimes take a foul to send
a message or prevent an easy score when they get beat. At times, they
accumulate fouls just because they are playing hard and physical and the
officials are calling a tighter game.
But so far this season, Morrison has had only 47 fouls called on him.
Compare Morrison to fellow lottery pick Rudy Gay, another perimeter
player (one who makes a greater impact than Morrison on defense,
especially with his shot-blocking). Gay came into the league with a "soft"
label as someone who was not intense or physical enough. But in far
fewer minutes, Gay has 50 fouls.
Consider this: Morrison has blocked a total of three shots this year.
Boykins has blocked two, even though he is 15 inches smaller and
sometimes guards the same players Morrison does.
It's Morrison's lack of hustle that concerns me most. Offensive rebounds,
blocks and steals are often considered "hustle" stats. Morrison has a
combined total of 20, just three more than his backup in Charlotte, Matt
Carroll, who is like Morrison just an average athlete. But Carroll has
played only 207 minutes, less than one-third Morrison's total.
Morrison is just as ineffective off the ball, not making an effort at
anticipating where the ball is going to or which player is going to make a
cut or screen. He is giving effort at chasing his man around screens, but
has no feel whatsoever for fighting through them or guessing when to go
over or under them.
His effort in transition is similarly lacking. While he often sprints back, he
appears to do so without thinking about where he needs to run to. And
too often I've seen him make his first two steps back at half speed before
realizing an opponent is beating him down the floor.
Also, Morrison makes little effort at drawing charges or diving on the
floor for loose balls.
On rebound opportunities, Morrison does tend to drift toward the paint,
but he does not spend much energy blocking out, fighting for position or
making a strong play for a 50/50 ball. He gets rebounds only when they
come right to him. He has only 52 defensive boards. In contrast, Rudy
Gay has 76 defensive boards in far fewer minutes.
I would not write that when he is on the floor defensively for Charlotte,
they are faced with a five-on-four disadvantage. But it's close.
OUTLOOK
How Morrison can turn it around
The easy thing would be to write "make more shots." But there has to be a
fundamental change in Morrison's game if he wants to become a
productive and consistent player in the NBA.
The first thing I'd like to see is a lot more "beast" in his game. Sometimes
stars feel as if it's not cool to be seen as trying too hard, a ridiculous
notion but one that is present in the NBA. But Morrison's superstar days
are back in Spokane.
The Adam Morrison File
Height
6-8
Weight
205
Wingspan
6-10
Standing Reach
8-9
Vertical
30.5" *
Bench press (185 lbs)
11 times **
3/4-court sprint
3.37 sec. ***
* T-69 (out of 81) at draft combine
** Average at combine: 11.74
*** T-50 (out of 81) at combine
I've watched Morrison over the years and I know he has a strong
competitive fire. He needs to let it out -- in the form of diving for loose
balls, taking charges, hammering someone going for a layup, working to
exhaustion on the glass, and sprinting the floor at every opportunity.
On offense, instead of taking a runner and avoiding contact, he should
get to the rim and try to dunk on someone.
On defense, he should challenge his opponent by getting in his face with
a low defensive stance. In the process, he might get beat, but that's
happening to him anyway. He may just force a few more turnovers in the
process. What else? Harass passers and fake towards one open man, then
shoot the gap into an open passing lane hoping for a steal.
Many have compared Morrison to Larry Bird, but Bird was a monster effort
guy. Morrison needs to watch tape of Bird to see how a physically limited
player can have such a dramatic impact on the game with effort and
toughness (not to mention skills).
When Charlotte's opponents are watching him on film, he needs them to
be saying, That Morrison cat is a beast!
The positive vibe that comes from a playing as hard as you can will
translate into greater genuine confidence overall, which will help Morrison
knock in more shots. Getting to the free-throw line and creating some
easy buckets (on the glass or on steals and layups) will help too.
College players play in a hurry, and Morrison is still playing like a college
player. NBA players read and react, or dictate and countermove after
reading the defense.
Morrison needs to slow down on offense and be patient reading ball
screens. He should continue to work on coming off picks and showing
some shot fakes and jabs against the defender.
Film study will help as well. His game technically is unique and strong,
but his effort and focus are lacking. Learning more about the pro game
will help in those areas, too.
So, how good can Morrison get?
I studied four games in which he scored a total of 11 points, and I also
watched samples of his more successful efforts. And I saw what I've
described above.
But in spite of all that, I love this guy as a player.
Do I think he'll be a scorer like Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant? No, but I see
a 35-point game in his near future, if his coach sticks with him, and it
won't just be a one-time thing.
Can he be a terrific second or third option on a winning team? Yes, if
paired with a premier perimeter scorer and a solid threat in the post,
Morrison can become a nightly threat who scores at an efficient pace.
Once he figures it all out, expect 16 to 20 points per game.
I see a lot of toughness in him but no direction, no purpose. Those
characteristics can be developed over time, as long as the player has the
desire. He has a good feel for the game in most areas, and now he just
needs to put pressure on himself to find ways to contribute.
I think he will succeed.
David Thorpe is an NBA analyst for ESPN.com and the executive director
of the Pro Training Center in Clearwater, Fla., where he works as a
personal coach for Udonis Haslem (Miami Heat), Orien Greene (Indiana
Pacers), Alexander Johnson (Memphis Grizzlies) and Kevin Martin
(Sacramento Kings). You can e-mail him here.
Video scouting services used in this report were provided by Synergy
Sports.
this he's one of the worst players in the league, but doesn't have to be:
By David Thorpe
ESPN.com
Archive
Scouting Adam Morrison: Offense | Defense | Outlook
The top two collegiate players last season, Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick,
face each other Thursday night for the first time, as Morrison's Charlotte
Bobcats host Redick's Orlando Magic.
Kent Smith/Getty Images
Clean looks at the rim aren't what they used to be.
As they share the floor, they have one other thing in common -- skeptics
who doubt that their college stardom will translate into big-time NBA
success.
Redick's injuries and inexperience have kept him mostly on the sidelines
since the summer, though he did log 16 scoreless minutes on
Wednesday. He has six points on 2-for-9 shooting this season, including
one 3-pointer.
Morrison, meanwhile, has had some success so far, at least superficially.
He's had six games with 20 or more points, and he was selected the
NBA's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
A deeper study, however, reveals ample evidence thus far that the
skeptics were right. Morrison averages 13.3 points per game, which leads
all rookies by a wide margin -- but he is putting up 13.7 field-goal
attempts per game and is shooting just 36.8 percent from the field. He's
collecting only 2.8 rebounds per game, despite his 6-8 frame, and he is
averaging just 2.0 assists per game, despite handling the ball often.
His player efficiency rating, which measures a player's overall
contributions per minute, is 7.29 (the average PER is 15.00), which ranks
Morrison last in the NBA by far among all players averaging 30 or more
minutes. The NBA's only starter with a lower PER is defensive specialist
Jason Collins of New Jersey, while Morrison is a disaster on defense. So,
while harsh, it is fair to call Adam Morrison the worst regular in the NBA
according to the stats -- at least so far this season.
But is he a bust? I don't think so. Let's dig beneath the numbers to see
what kind of player Morrison is now and what kind of potential he has.
OFFENSE
The roots of his shooting struggles
Morrison came into the league as a scorer rather than merely a shooter
(unlike Redick, who is known as a pure shooter). This means Morrison not
only knocks down open shots but also finds ways to create and finish on
his own.
I've watched Morrison a great deal over the past two-plus seasons (two
seasons at Gonzaga, and so far in the NBA), and even more intently in
recent weeks.
One obvious fact is that he has a lot of talent as a scorer -- that's how
you average 28 points per game. He did this with the polished stroke of
what we call a "driveway shooter" along with a "street-ball feel" for the
game -- a rare combination.
On the college level, there was a simplicity to his effectiveness.
Morrison: College vs. Pros
Category
2005-06
Gonzaga
Junior year
2006-07
Bobcats
(as of 12/13)
Points
28.1
13.3
Rebounds
5.5
2.8
Assists
2.8
2.0
Blocks
0.3
0.1
Turnovers
2.3
1.9
FG%
.498
.368
FT%
.772
.678
Minutes
36.5
34.0
First, he has excellent size at 6-8. His size prevented most college
defenders from challenging his shot effectively, which gave Morrison the
calm to focus without worrying about whether his shot would be blocked.
That calm is deeply important for shooters. In a sense, almost every jump
shot he took was uncontested.
In the NBA, he is often seeing the hand of a tall, quick, capable defender.
This is one reason his field goal percentage on 2-point shots is 37.3,
barely above his 3-point percentage of 35.4. On 3-pointers, the defender
has more ground to cover to get to Morrison and thus is often not close
enough to distract him as the shot is launched, whereas inside the line
the spacing is tighter.
Most of Morrison's jumpers -- whether off the dribble or in catch-and-
shoot situations -- look good, but most of them don't go in, despite the
shooting ability he showed in college. These missed shots are usually a
result of two things -- a lack of confidence and a disrupted rhythm.
Simply put, he's not yet comfortable making a shot with a hand in his
face. His overall discomfort has hurt him even at the free-throw line,
where he's hitting only 67.8 percent.
In college, especially on his patented runners, Morrison often seemed a
man among boys, seemingly able to throw in any shot from any angle off
the dribble, in part because his view of the hoop and his shooting motion
were unobstructed thanks to his size advantage. These were shots that
are not easily taught or replicated, and it often looked as if Morrison were
lucky they went in. It was not luck -- he is a very gifted player.
But talent alone was not enough to get Morrison to the high level he
reached at Gonzaga. Genuine confidence and permission from the coach
to miss shots were required as well (otherwise known as being "the man").
But Morrison is not yet "the man" in Charlotte. So, while his instincts are
special and his skill level is very high, he has several obstacles to
overcome before he can become a consistent scorer for the Bobcats.
Offense: With the ball
With the ball in his hands, Morrison is always looking to score. He can
catch and shoot, show a shot fake and drive (usually to the right), or work
a little with the jab step before driving.
I saw very little space creation at the point of attack, either for a no-
dribble shot or a drive. His shot fake is excellent, but his jab series is
poor -- that's not uncommon for a young player.
Morrison has not yet developed the habit of working to get the proper
attack angles in his drives. Too often he makes a shallow dribble drive
that is easily defended.
If he does get some space and the proper angle on a drive, he usually
does an excellent job of putting his body on his defender and cutting off
the defender's options at getting better position. This is a skill most good
scorers have -- a great understanding of how to use their body as a
weapon.
Morrison has terrific body control when he finishes -- he is normally
balanced on the release or moving smoothly. His range of finishing
options is somewhat limited -- a pull-up jumper with a slight fade, a
step-back jumper or a runner that he shoots off one leg. The mechanics
all look sound though not great.
Morrison can score in the post and can take advantage of his size inside,
but he has rarely attempted to do so. I suspect the Charlotte coaches will
direct Morrison to do this more often.
D. Lippitt/Einstein/Getty Images
Dunks have been few and far between for the 6-8 Morrison.
In fact, according to 82games.com, an astounding 90 percent of
Morrison's shots have been jumpers. For a player with Morrison's scoring
ability, and with such a low field-goal percentage, that is an extremely
high number, comparable to that of better shooters such as Kyle Korver.
Morrison is quite accomplished at the two-man game on side ball
screens, having a good feel as to when he should shoot or pass to his
screener. He does a nice job looking for and feeding the post as well.
Morrison also is willing to make easy pass plays when his scoring options
are well-defended, which is rare for a scorer. Though he leads his team in
shots attempted, he does not play selfishly. When help defenders pinch
on him, he makes the pass to the open man.
But Morrison does not see the entire floor and make passes that account
for the other nine players on the floor. Despite the similarities in
appearance and demeanor, he's no Larry Bird.
His ballhandling in general is average to below average for a perimeter
player. My simple test on this is, Does the ball make him faster or slower?
In most cases, his dribble speeds are equal to his normal running speed.
He is not a threat to blow by his defender off the dribble, but he can
advance it under full-court pressure.
Offense: Without the ball
When Morrison is running around screens as part of a set action or
pattern, he displays a good knowledge of changing speeds and takes the
proper angles off those screens to get open.
He is not yet consistent at what I call "Reggie Millers" -- sprinting around
deep screens and shooting 3s while squaring up before the defender can
find and cover him. Morrison likely will become adept at this skill in time,
causing major problems for opponents.
Morrison works fairly hard at getting open against a denying defender.
Morrison's feel for sliding to the open spot on the perimeter is OK, but
not great -- too often he remains stationary when a slide or cut is a
better option.
Morrison makes a decent effort in transition and does exhibit some nice
finishing moves at the rim. Transition is another area where he can use
his size and creative scoring touch to his advantage. But he is not a threat
to lead the break as many wing players in the NBA are.
Morrison is a disaster thus far as an offensive rebounder. In 714 minutes,
he has managed to collect a total of seven offensive rebounds (three were
on Wednesday, so perhaps he's getting a clue).
To gain some perspective, consider that the backup point guard in
Denver has nine offensive boards in only 405 minutes. Yes, that's right,
Earl Boykins at 5-foot-5 and playing fewer minutes has more offensive
rebounds than Morrison. There is simply no excuse for this. The Bobcats
must get more offensive boards from their No. 3 pick.
(See below for more on Morrison's rebounding "technique.")
DEFENSE
If Morrison is a disaster as an offensive rebounder, the best word to
describe his defense is pathetic. Both his effort and his effectiveness are
truly subpar.
People often say that Morrison "plays no defense." They are right.
Joe Murphy/Getty Images
This stance may look OK, but that's about it on defense.
I call it a "disinclination to defend." Here's what I mean:
Morrison rarely denies his man important spots on the floor; in fact, he
does not even attempt to most of the time.
Once a defender catches the ball, Morrison stands passively in front of
him, upright instead of bent into an athletic position. As the offensive
player is deciding to dribble, pass or shoot, Morrison does nothing to
influence his actions. Often he leaves his arms hanging down at his sides
and his feet rooted to the ground. If the opponent makes the decision to
drive, Morrison provides little resistance and often stops sliding his feet
after a few dribbles.
A few thoughts about fouling: NBA players sometimes take a foul to send
a message or prevent an easy score when they get beat. At times, they
accumulate fouls just because they are playing hard and physical and the
officials are calling a tighter game.
But so far this season, Morrison has had only 47 fouls called on him.
Compare Morrison to fellow lottery pick Rudy Gay, another perimeter
player (one who makes a greater impact than Morrison on defense,
especially with his shot-blocking). Gay came into the league with a "soft"
label as someone who was not intense or physical enough. But in far
fewer minutes, Gay has 50 fouls.
Consider this: Morrison has blocked a total of three shots this year.
Boykins has blocked two, even though he is 15 inches smaller and
sometimes guards the same players Morrison does.
It's Morrison's lack of hustle that concerns me most. Offensive rebounds,
blocks and steals are often considered "hustle" stats. Morrison has a
combined total of 20, just three more than his backup in Charlotte, Matt
Carroll, who is like Morrison just an average athlete. But Carroll has
played only 207 minutes, less than one-third Morrison's total.
Morrison is just as ineffective off the ball, not making an effort at
anticipating where the ball is going to or which player is going to make a
cut or screen. He is giving effort at chasing his man around screens, but
has no feel whatsoever for fighting through them or guessing when to go
over or under them.
His effort in transition is similarly lacking. While he often sprints back, he
appears to do so without thinking about where he needs to run to. And
too often I've seen him make his first two steps back at half speed before
realizing an opponent is beating him down the floor.
Also, Morrison makes little effort at drawing charges or diving on the
floor for loose balls.
On rebound opportunities, Morrison does tend to drift toward the paint,
but he does not spend much energy blocking out, fighting for position or
making a strong play for a 50/50 ball. He gets rebounds only when they
come right to him. He has only 52 defensive boards. In contrast, Rudy
Gay has 76 defensive boards in far fewer minutes.
I would not write that when he is on the floor defensively for Charlotte,
they are faced with a five-on-four disadvantage. But it's close.
OUTLOOK
How Morrison can turn it around
The easy thing would be to write "make more shots." But there has to be a
fundamental change in Morrison's game if he wants to become a
productive and consistent player in the NBA.
The first thing I'd like to see is a lot more "beast" in his game. Sometimes
stars feel as if it's not cool to be seen as trying too hard, a ridiculous
notion but one that is present in the NBA. But Morrison's superstar days
are back in Spokane.
The Adam Morrison File
Height
6-8
Weight
205
Wingspan
6-10
Standing Reach
8-9
Vertical
30.5" *
Bench press (185 lbs)
11 times **
3/4-court sprint
3.37 sec. ***
* T-69 (out of 81) at draft combine
** Average at combine: 11.74
*** T-50 (out of 81) at combine
I've watched Morrison over the years and I know he has a strong
competitive fire. He needs to let it out -- in the form of diving for loose
balls, taking charges, hammering someone going for a layup, working to
exhaustion on the glass, and sprinting the floor at every opportunity.
On offense, instead of taking a runner and avoiding contact, he should
get to the rim and try to dunk on someone.
On defense, he should challenge his opponent by getting in his face with
a low defensive stance. In the process, he might get beat, but that's
happening to him anyway. He may just force a few more turnovers in the
process. What else? Harass passers and fake towards one open man, then
shoot the gap into an open passing lane hoping for a steal.
Many have compared Morrison to Larry Bird, but Bird was a monster effort
guy. Morrison needs to watch tape of Bird to see how a physically limited
player can have such a dramatic impact on the game with effort and
toughness (not to mention skills).
When Charlotte's opponents are watching him on film, he needs them to
be saying, That Morrison cat is a beast!
The positive vibe that comes from a playing as hard as you can will
translate into greater genuine confidence overall, which will help Morrison
knock in more shots. Getting to the free-throw line and creating some
easy buckets (on the glass or on steals and layups) will help too.
College players play in a hurry, and Morrison is still playing like a college
player. NBA players read and react, or dictate and countermove after
reading the defense.
Morrison needs to slow down on offense and be patient reading ball
screens. He should continue to work on coming off picks and showing
some shot fakes and jabs against the defender.
Film study will help as well. His game technically is unique and strong,
but his effort and focus are lacking. Learning more about the pro game
will help in those areas, too.
So, how good can Morrison get?
I studied four games in which he scored a total of 11 points, and I also
watched samples of his more successful efforts. And I saw what I've
described above.
But in spite of all that, I love this guy as a player.
Do I think he'll be a scorer like Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant? No, but I see
a 35-point game in his near future, if his coach sticks with him, and it
won't just be a one-time thing.
Can he be a terrific second or third option on a winning team? Yes, if
paired with a premier perimeter scorer and a solid threat in the post,
Morrison can become a nightly threat who scores at an efficient pace.
Once he figures it all out, expect 16 to 20 points per game.
I see a lot of toughness in him but no direction, no purpose. Those
characteristics can be developed over time, as long as the player has the
desire. He has a good feel for the game in most areas, and now he just
needs to put pressure on himself to find ways to contribute.
I think he will succeed.
David Thorpe is an NBA analyst for ESPN.com and the executive director
of the Pro Training Center in Clearwater, Fla., where he works as a
personal coach for Udonis Haslem (Miami Heat), Orien Greene (Indiana
Pacers), Alexander Johnson (Memphis Grizzlies) and Kevin Martin
(Sacramento Kings). You can e-mail him here.
Video scouting services used in this report were provided by Synergy
Sports.
G
Guest
Guest
Morrison got back on track tonight on national TV with 22 points and some great hussle play.
It was kind of game I'm used to seeing him play; lots of fire and determination.
It was kind of game I'm used to seeing him play; lots of fire and determination.
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
32 min 7-12: FG 3-4: 3PT 5-5: FT OFF REB: 3 Tot. REB:7
He actually had 7 rebounds the second most on the team and
that is an area that is traditionally a weakness of his. His rebounding won't matter as much as it does on other teams b/c the Cats have Okafor, as long as it's not real bad, and he gives his all when he has the best position out of his teammates.
I wonder if the fact that they moved him to sixth man for
this game, b/c they wanted him to be "more comfortable",
lit a fire under him. The guy has always come up big when
the pressure is on! It wasn't him who chocked in the UCLA game.
[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArJ4Oh1uOQ5T3ovBfEoYVa KkvLYF?slug=rotowire-damorrisonovingtoaes&prov=rotowire&type =fantasy[/url] ***The link didn't work so try pasting it
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArJ4Oh1uOQ5T3ovBfEoYVa KkvLYF?slug=rotowire-damorrisonovingtoaes&prov=rotowire&type =fantasy
Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
He actually had 7 rebounds the second most on the team and
that is an area that is traditionally a weakness of his. His rebounding won't matter as much as it does on other teams b/c the Cats have Okafor, as long as it's not real bad, and he gives his all when he has the best position out of his teammates.
I wonder if the fact that they moved him to sixth man for
this game, b/c they wanted him to be "more comfortable",
lit a fire under him. The guy has always come up big when
the pressure is on! It wasn't him who chocked in the UCLA game.
[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArJ4Oh1uOQ5T3ovBfEoYVa KkvLYF?slug=rotowire-damorrisonovingtoaes&prov=rotowire&type =fantasy[/url] ***The link didn't work so try pasting it
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ArJ4Oh1uOQ5T3ovBfEoYVa KkvLYF?slug=rotowire-damorrisonovingtoaes&prov=rotowire&type =fantasy
Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
GreatLakeState
Mentor
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,057
Lot of white guys on the floor in that game. Looks like JJ might want to
take some shooting lessons from Travis Diener.
take some shooting lessons from Travis Diener.
white lightning
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2004
- Messages
- 21,463
Adam had a new career high yesterday with 30 points.Congrats on a great performance.Remember guys,he is only a rookie.It's a big adjustment from college to the nba.He will be an all star.
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Morrison was as usual being heckled by a fan. He was constantly heckled in college. Notice the fan called him "white trash" repeatedly. It was probably another one of those loser white fans making fun of his own race. There is a small possibility it could also have been a racist black.
Morrison responded to these attacks with an obscene gesture. I think the league over did the punishment. If a black player responded to racial remarks with a rude gesture he could probably talk his way out of trouble by saying he felt threatened and personally attacked by "racially charged" remarks. There is of course the problem with my argument with the fact that it is almost unheard of for blacks to have disdain for their own race. Any racial remark made by a black about another black is almost definitely either 1) humour 2) A black dissing another black for acting white.
Bobcats' Morrison fined $25,000 for obscene gesture
April 10, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte Bobcats forward Adam Morrison was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making an obscene gesture to a fan during a game in Miami.
Morrison made the gesture while sitting on the bench late in overtime during Charlotte's 111-103 win over the Heat on Sunday. Morrison did not play in the game because of a sprained knee, the first game he missed this season.
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Morrison said he was being heckled throughout the game.
"I've got to learn to take it, I guess, but I think the guy went over the edge a little bit, calling me 'white trash' over and over again," said Morrison, who also sat out Tuesday's game against Miami. "I reacted naturally and I made a mistake. I hurt the organization and the team. I'm sorry about it and it will never happen again."
Morrison, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, is averaging 11.9 points and is shooting 38 percent from the field this season. Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said he's still learning how to react to hostile crowds.
"Adam has those sonar ears, like a bat," Bickerstaff said. "That's another thing a rookie has to learn. ... When you move to this level, you've got fans, they're as good at what they as the players on the court."Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Morrison responded to these attacks with an obscene gesture. I think the league over did the punishment. If a black player responded to racial remarks with a rude gesture he could probably talk his way out of trouble by saying he felt threatened and personally attacked by "racially charged" remarks. There is of course the problem with my argument with the fact that it is almost unheard of for blacks to have disdain for their own race. Any racial remark made by a black about another black is almost definitely either 1) humour 2) A black dissing another black for acting white.
Bobcats' Morrison fined $25,000 for obscene gesture
April 10, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte Bobcats forward Adam Morrison was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making an obscene gesture to a fan during a game in Miami.
Morrison made the gesture while sitting on the bench late in overtime during Charlotte's 111-103 win over the Heat on Sunday. Morrison did not play in the game because of a sprained knee, the first game he missed this season.
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Morrison said he was being heckled throughout the game.
"I've got to learn to take it, I guess, but I think the guy went over the edge a little bit, calling me 'white trash' over and over again," said Morrison, who also sat out Tuesday's game against Miami. "I reacted naturally and I made a mistake. I hurt the organization and the team. I'm sorry about it and it will never happen again."
Morrison, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft, is averaging 11.9 points and is shooting 38 percent from the field this season. Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said he's still learning how to react to hostile crowds.
"Adam has those sonar ears, like a bat," Bickerstaff said. "That's another thing a rookie has to learn. ... When you move to this level, you've got fans, they're as good at what they as the players on the court."Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
25,000 for this, a first offence, give me a break. This was by a hometown fan apparantly and I am 99% sure he was white. Pathetic. I just hope he gets the same grace period a black athlete will get that's drafted highly before the bust label comes out. I don't think he is one or will be one but I guarantee there are people out there just salivating to say he is a bust. Skip Bayless, anyone?
ToughJ.Riggins
Hall of Famer
Yeah, he's been playing pretty bad, but so are most of the rookies. I think it's better that they moved him to coming off the bench as a sixth man of sorts for now though behind fellow white SG Matt Carrol. I didn't see that as discriminatory. As a third pick in the draft you'd expect him to get time to prove himself. In the NFL they say it takes 3 years before you know what you are getting with a player. So I would assume that the NBA should give Morrison some good minutes for at least 3 years before burying him on the bench or cutting him if he keeps playing poorly.Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins
Morrisonhas to take it only because he's white, as part of the eternal punishment all whites face in the American "democracy" merely for being alive.
Asthe Powers That Be continue the annualcanonization of Jackie Robinson (how much longer until he joinsMLK as the only Americans with their own national holiday?), a process that increases in scope and intensity every year, whites are reminded over and over again how Robinsonhad toput up with racial slurs from the stands. The Rutgers basketball players are devastated, we're told,, probably permanently, because of what Don Imus and his sidekick said, and Serena Williams was justified in refusing to put up with a fan who made a racial remark (that apparently no one else heard).
Professional race hustlers and anti-white racists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are plastered all over the boobtube to present their sermons about racism, but whites like Morrison simply have to learn to put up with exactly the same thing that becomes a national story of horror and redemption when it happens to a black.
Just keep in mind that the enablers and promoters of all thisare the "whites" in control of the despicable one-sided institutionalized racism that is forced on Americans 24/7, not blacks. It's nothing less than a program of social engineering and psychological warfare designed to mind-wash whites into welcoming their dispossession and replacement in their own country.
Asthe Powers That Be continue the annualcanonization of Jackie Robinson (how much longer until he joinsMLK as the only Americans with their own national holiday?), a process that increases in scope and intensity every year, whites are reminded over and over again how Robinsonhad toput up with racial slurs from the stands. The Rutgers basketball players are devastated, we're told,, probably permanently, because of what Don Imus and his sidekick said, and Serena Williams was justified in refusing to put up with a fan who made a racial remark (that apparently no one else heard).
Professional race hustlers and anti-white racists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are plastered all over the boobtube to present their sermons about racism, but whites like Morrison simply have to learn to put up with exactly the same thing that becomes a national story of horror and redemption when it happens to a black.
Just keep in mind that the enablers and promoters of all thisare the "whites" in control of the despicable one-sided institutionalized racism that is forced on Americans 24/7, not blacks. It's nothing less than a program of social engineering and psychological warfare designed to mind-wash whites into welcoming their dispossession and replacement in their own country.
BeyondFedUp
Hall of Famer
Very good post Don. That sums up my feelings and I'm sure many others feelings as well. Glad to see you put ]"whites"[/b]as you did in quotation marks. It's probably a well known fact to most of our racially aware readers here who and what those "whites" are that control our mass media.Don Wassall said:
The hypocrisy and double standard in the media continues on an ever increasing scale against whites. I'm sure if Moorison were black, and the roles and slurs reversed, the fan would be possibly jailed for a hate crime, and bafoons like Sharpton and Jackson and other media whores would be given endless monologue to do the bidding of their zionist masters.
I hope Moorison has a better season next near and the fans really get behind him, like the Atlanta Braves fans did for John Rocker years ago amid his turmoil, and do it all in spite of the media slants, stereotypes and hypocrisy.