1 Practice In, Morrison A Unique Gem

Discussion in 'Charlotte Hornets' started by Shapecity, Jul 4, 2006.

  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess it takes a coach's son to appreciate a coach's son.

    J.B. Bickerstaff -- Charlotte Bobcats assistant and, yes, the head coach's son -- was clueing me in to what makes Adam Morrison special, and this might be the first time that soft-as-an-angel's-kiss shooting touch was dismissed.

    "People think he made Gonzaga great by putting the ball in the basket," Bickerstaff said and, hey, 28 points is hard to ignore, J.B. But I tend to interrupt, so let Bickerstaff finish his point ...

    "It's not just that -- it's getting the ball to his teammates. On nights when he's not making shots, he can still impact a basketball game. One-dimensional guys can be stopped. He's not one-dimensional."

    Bickerstaff said these are subtitles best recognized by coach's kids. My dad spent most of his career waiting for West Coast baseball scores on a dinky newspaper's copy desk, but even I could see what J.B. meant in Morrison's first practice Monday night.

    The guy sees things. He made a pass on the break that would have disappeared a split-second after he threw it. The recipient, a rookie, bobbled the resulting layup, but that wasn't the point. The kid understands this game at a level of sophistication his teammates already appreciate.

    "It's a different kind of skill -- old-school," is how forward-center Sean May described Morrison's game. "Nowadays, in college ball, they're all tall athletes who can run and jump. He understands what to do -- how to come off screens, how to space the court."

    It's true that Morrison's dad was a junior-college coach, and that it changed his vision of the game. Bickerstaff learned in the pre-draft vetting process that Morrison isn't just a worker, he's a video hound.

    The way J.B. described it, a lot of guys will work all day in the gym, perfecting a shot or smoothing out his ball-handling. Morrison breaks down miles of videotape, and it's not to admire his greatest hits.

    "He doesn't just watch himself, he watches the total game," Bickerstaff explained when asked about that pass Morrison made.

    "His dad's a basketball coach, and when guys don't make those plays, it makes coaches crazy."</div>

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  2. Char

    Char JBB Nowitzness

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    I cannot wait to see how Morrison does in his first NBA game. I'll do what I can to see the Bobcats play in person this year. Them Bobcats are fast rising up the list of my favorite NBA teams.
     
  3. Smitty

    Smitty brush em off.

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    I'm very excited to see what the Bobcats can do this year, if they can stay healthy, they'll have a better season than before, I can't wait to see Morrison when they play the Sixers.
     
  4. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I would venture as to say the Bobcats could even contend for the playoffs this year, I'd put them right up there with the Sixers, at least.
     
  5. Bobcats

    Bobcats JBB JustBBall Member

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    I had my doubts about Adam going into the draft, but he's a really hard worker and I'm excitited to see what he can do. 15 PPG definitely isn't out of the question for him this season.
     

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