Has anyone else noticed how well Morris has been playing at the summer league? We all remember Les not being in favor of the trade, and some here on the BBS were not. Here's some of the numbers so far: 13 Points, 6 rebounds per game 57.7% shooting from the field 88.9% shooting from the free throw line 1.33 blocks per game Spectacular? No. But that isn't his game. I know it's just a summer league, but so far he's answered every question the critics have thrown out. He's been aggressove by all accounts, has shot the ball well from the outside, and his ball handling has been better than advertised. In draft analysis, one of the major knocks on Morris was that he was not a good ballhandler for the three position, and he seems to be dispelling that myth by taking it to the bucket off the dribble. Defensively, he's as good as advertised. He's played good defense in all 3 games, and he seemed to react very well to being appointed the defensive stopper on Lamar Odom in his first game. He seems to be a good shotblocker by the numbers, and reports also say he is good in the transition game, which is something we need out of a small forward on the Rockets. For all the speed and young talent we have, we don't get out in transition as much as we should or can, and perhaps Morris can have Steve and Cuttino thinking more in that area. Overall, I think we definitely should be pleased with Morris' progression too. For all the talk about Langhi's offense and Griffin's defense, Morris' all around game is doing a lot as well. I sure hope we don't bring back Shandon... we really need a way to get all of these guys some quality minutes. ------------------ Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
Did you see Langhi's numbers in the Rocky Mountain Revue last summer? And look at how much time he got last year. Langhi's numbers were a lot better than what Morris has put up so far. I would be a little surprised if Morris played in more than garbage minutes this year. There are currently 4 guys ahead of him on the depth chart -- Shandon, Walt, Langhi, and Griffin. Will Morris even make the team? It looks like there are going to have to be some trades for that to happen. How can you carry 5 SFs on the roster? ------------------ "I guess that's YOUR theory"
Yes T-mo's been pretty solid I have noticed. He could be a great contributor on this team. Hopefully Rudy will find a way to give Griff, T-mo, and Danforth plenty of minutes because all 3 are deserving of it. I'm hoping that there will not be any sort of a minutes issue in the future. But we have to wait till the entire summer league, including Rocky Mt, is over. He has to play consistently... same goes for Langhi and Griff. We'll have a better understanding of how many minutes every1 will get at the end. ------------------ its not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours - alaskansnowman [This message has been edited by alaskansnowman (edited July 16, 2001).]
I think Morris can be a solid role-player for years to come, assuming he earns the minutes. He is definitely not a leader or a go-to guy, but he seems to be solid in a number of different areas. I'm glad we got him. Still, I'm not sure he will get alot of PT. Summer league production really doesn't mean much. Read Swopa's review of the Magic Johnson game? Magic went for a triple double, Snoop Dog showed some handles... It doesn't necessarily translate to the real games. Morris right now is 5th on the SF depth chart, and even if we dump Shandon he's 4th. I see him getting serious minutes by year 2 or 3 (assuming he continues to develop his game). ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Freak, I believe that the Rockets would/should sign and trade Shandon. Oeilpere also suggested this would be the more likely to happen than Shandon actually being on the roster once the season starts. He also suggested that Walt W's minutes would be severely diminished this year, if he's even here. Right now, T-mo only has Griff and Langhi and maybe Bullard ahead of him. ------------------ its not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours - alaskansnowman
Interesting thought, Freak. The question is, how does a team compete with a weakness at C? (regardless if Dream re-signs or not) Answer, you overload on quality Fs and Gs and hope that they can provide some of the tasks expected out of a quality C: Shot-blocking - Griffin, Morris, KT, Langhi?, Mo? Low-post play - Griffin, KT, Mo, Francis, Mobley Rebounding - Griffin, Morris, KT, Francis, Mobley Intimidation in the paint - ???, the one definite unknown ------------------
Freak, Langhi's game is a lot different than Morris'. Langhi is a dynamic scorer who can really excel when the offense is run through him. However, even though Langhi has had a year's experience, I actually feel Morris may be more ready for the NBA game. You should've seen Dan's flaws in the games last year. Rudy didn't sit him on the bench because he was a rookie. When he got on the court, he almost looked lost. Didn't play good at all without the ball, looked nervous when he shot the ball, wasn't strong on defense, etc. With Morris, you have someone who won't be spectacular but he should be able to contribute immediately. He understands the team game. Offensively, he can hit the open shot, get putbacks, post up smaller defenders, and handle the ball well. Defensively, he's probably the best perimeter defender of the bunch. Griffin is a great defender, but his biggest strength as this point is not one on one perimeter defense. Walt and Langhi both struggle there, and Shandon is undersized. And he's easily the best small forward in transition, besides Shandon. Langhi may have flashier numbers than Morris, but that doesn't necessarily equate to next season's success. Morris is a fundamentally sound player who excels in the all-around game, and the Rockets could use someone like that. If the Rockets held a 4-way battle in camp for the opening day starting SF position between Langhi, Griffin, Morris, and Walt I would not be shocked if Morris found a way to win that battle. With Griffin it may not be for long, but I think Morris will produce a lot more than you expect next season. ------------------ Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
If Shandon is resigned, I would be very surprised if it was as a 3. I would imagine at that point that he becomes the defensive stopper at the 2 behind Mobley. ------------------ Rockets need power forward. Mo near now. Go near Mo. You can Run from the bet, you can Rave at the bet...but you just can't hide.
Raven, Me too. I hope Rudy and CD can put loyalty aside and realize how deep this team already is... we need to find a way to get everyone at the swingman spots some minutes, and we need to use that salary space (Shandon's) to get another big man inside. ------------------ Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
Chalk this up to one of the times that I agree w/ The Cat. Langhi got sat b/c he isn't used to being someone's beeyotch role player. Morris has role player written all over him, but in a great way. BTW, I wouldn't be suprised either if Morris was the SF, but I don't expect it. Trading three first round picks and Griffin's ability to snag boards and block shots sounds like an obligatory 'give him time' in the lineup sort of deal. I actually suspect that Griffin will probably blow away all of the bs sports.espn.sucksanddoesnotknow****.com/nba analysis and get 9/9/2.5.
Make that 11/10.5/2.5. The win for being prophetic on the high end is always greater than the bah devil's advocate (numerous but inconsequential) sorts of wins. ------------------ Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen...
I agree that we need another big man inside. But how do you know how much salary Shandon is going to demand? At the right price, he's a good backup shooting guard to have. If you drop Shandon, you've got exactly 3 players who play the guard spot who are likely to make the opening 12-man roster (I don't count Colson, who at any rate is a point guard). I like Steve, Cat, and Mooch, but I'd like to see some depth as well. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Keep up the good reports!! Terence has quietly given Maryland a good overall game during his past four years. He does all the little things to be the perfect type Red Auberbach player that is needed to win. The talent can be there, but it is the teamwork that wins championships. Red Auberbach during his championship dynasty years once said that the Celtics did not have the best talent BUT THEY KNEW HOW TO PLAY TOGETHER BETTER! TRock is that kind of player that the Rockets got cheap. Maryland is predicted in the top 3 by many preseason experts, but Maryland is going to miss Terence more than they know. TRock was the glue to the team. FREDTERP ------------------ [This message has been edited by Fredterp (edited July 16, 2001).]
NIKE - I don't see anywhere where Shanderson or Feigan was ever asking for $4 or 5 mil. If he wants a long-term contract starting at that number, I agree that it is too much. I also think he's looked around and seen his market value isn't that high. All I'm saying is that I wouldn't mind giving him fair market value, if that means 2 or 3 million per season. What if Cat went down for a few weeks with an injury? I couldn't see Langhi stepping up and starting in his place. Even in a zone his man would blow right past him. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Morris as our starting 3 next season. He's a very heady ball player, something this young team needs. He is definitely a Rudy type of player with not to many weaknesses. I love this pickup. ------------------
<a href=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/841182>March 5 Chronicle Article</a> "I don't believe an `Early Bird' would reflect Shandon's value," said Dan Fegan, Anderson's agent. "He's been playing for a lot less than market value." Early Bird is projected at starting around 4.5 million ------------------ "I always thought Hakeem was the better offensive player and DRob the better defender." Spurever Shaq would probably agree.
Then Fegan is an idiot. Thanks NIKE. It is possible that a team will give Shanderson their mid-level exception this year, at that price. But he's not going to get any more than that. And I'm not sure he'll earn that much. March 5 was a loooong time ago. I'd guess that they are about to find out exactly how much money they can make on the open market. My guess is that Fegan might re-think his position. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Here is some nice cap space with not to much fuss: 1. No Moochie because of Colson 2. No Bullard because of Densch 3. No Anderson because of the glut 4. Trade Walt. That should give us the luxury of Dream, Mo, and a big fella. ------------------
Sam, To get everyone some minutes, in that scenario Langhi would play the backup 2, where he has this summer, so that Morris could play the backup 3. I'm comfortable with DL playing the 2, and would rather do that and sign a big man instead of taking Shandon to play the backup 2. ------------------ Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
I agree with everything Cat has said in this thread. Please let us not keep Shandon. I see Morris actually as an upgrade over Shandon. Morris: defensive 2/3 Langhi: offensive 2/3 Griffin: defensive 3/4 Taylor: offensive 3/4 Walt and Bullard: 3-point specialists at the 2/3/4 spots With these guys, there is definitely no need at all for Shandon. What we need is another hustling/big bodied center, and, of course, definitely Hakeem.
