For those not familiar with Terence Morris (TRock which is his nickname to close friends), Terence is the kind of team player that Red Auberbach of the Celtic dynasty years would draft. He has Celtic type player written all over him. As a soph he made 1st Team All-ACC which that in itself says he has great NBA POTENTIAL. It was that summer that he injured his foot, setting him back significantly. He had one down year which was last year in which primary targets were Baxter and Juan Dixon. Terence took very few shots compared to those players, but it was his shot blocking, intimidation, passing and rebounding that quietly kept Maryland in the top 10 all year. Since the late 60's I have seen no other better passing big man at Maryland than Terence Morris who incidently had his best year when playing with Steve Francis. I have known Terence Morris for some time since my son played with him at Thomas Johnson HS. I have seen him quietly mature at Maryland from when he first arrived as a shy quiet person who would be the first to come to a teammate's aid. If Houston is searching for a TEAM player, they will get one very cheap in Terence Morris. In the Final Four, Battier was held to two points before Terence went to the bench with his 3rd foul in the first half, it was then Battier lit up the scoreboard in TRock's absence. As I look back at his four years, there were many big games where he played his best, it was the automatic Wins where he would virtually pass and shoot little. He is in almost all top 10 Maryland career categories despite his low point production in the automatic wins. This was a trait he had back in high school, large lead meant he would rather pass to a teammate. Against good teams, i.e. Tim Thomas, he came to play, getting MVP over Tim Thomas and playing well in the Capital Classic and Magic Johnson Classic. In sum, Terence Morris has much, much untapped potential. With the right team and coach, he will flourish. I hope it is Houston, even though I hear reports that Charlotte is considering him at No.16. I read in one post below he bought a Mercedes, well he bought his mother one too which I think is an indication of what teams are telling him. I think that he is getting word from the some of the 10 teams that he is trying out for that his stock is climbing back up. Two years ago he was projected a top 6 pick in NBA circles. I am rooting for Houston to pick Terence Morris, it would be a cheap pick for what they receive. FREDTERP ------------------
Brilliant first post.... thanks for the insight on Morris, Fredterp. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Wow, that kind of praise from Clutch in your first post welcome to the board. It has been hinted that the Rockets might be trying to position themselves for Woods in the lottery and TRock (great name) with the 23 pick. Add Webber in free agency or just keep MoT and that line up would have me geeked. ------------------
That post was SO GOOD that now I have officially joined the "TRock" bandwagon. ------------------ President of the (the Rockets first pick in the draft) fan club. [This message has been edited by Greg#3 (edited June 20, 2001).]
Hearing that has me feeling better about Morris, but I still don't think we take him unless we take a center earlier. It's looking a lot like we will take a forward first, but you never know. ------------------ Now saw off...there's nothing to see here.
Fredterp, It's always great to get first-hand experience from people "on the inside". I loved your post. It was a deviation from the "norm" around here. I'm still not sure if the Rockets would take him with the #13 pick unless they've just gone ape over him. However, if the rockets were interested in him and also getting rid of a pick, they could package their second and third picks to maybe move up to the #14 or #15 range and nab him. Or perhaps package a player and one of those picks to move up. ------------------ "I had mine chewed off by a boss one time." -- Behad leaves us wondering if he gets hazard pay...
In all honesty, I haven't really been big on us drafting Morris. However, because of your post, I am confident that if we do draft him, he'll be a great pickup for us. ------------------ CC.net's most courteous driver Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a job right now, so hire me please
I really want either Morris,Jefferson,or J.Johnson! I think we should take a big man with are 1st pick and see if we can get Morris with a later pick,as I think he is going to be just as good as any of the other small forwards in the draft. I NEVER seen Morris falling out of the draft and if somone gets him in the 2nd round they will have the steal in the draft. Dont hate me for saying this Rocket fans but I think he is going to be like a Pippen type player.Excellent defense and can score when you need him too!If he can work on his outside shot just a little I think he is a perfect fit for this team,JMO! ------------------ AKA Rendiggler
Thanks for the info. I've been a huge fan of TRock and hope the Rockets get him. I love Battier, too, but don't think we get him, even if we trade up. TRock will be there at 23, though. As I've said many times, when the dust settles, I believe Morris will be a Rocket. ------------------ Some days you eat the bear. Some days the bear eats you.
Ren, I didn't know that was you! You're back! And there's nothing wrong with getting a Pippen-type player. Pippen is one of the better SF's to play the game in the last decade or so. I could just do without the Pippen-like jackass nature. Gimme the Pippen skeelz, not the Pippen 'tude. ------------------ "I had mine chewed off by a boss one time." -- Behad leaves us wondering if he gets hazard pay...
FredTerp - That was really good man, welcome to the board. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
Great Post. I hope the Bulls make a trade and grab him mid-first round just ahead of the Rockets. ------------------
Yep Im back DOD,been busy moving(Lumberton,TX)! "Pippen like-JackAss nature" I love it!!! I just didnt want anyone to jump down my throat after saying he was a Pippen type player.I think thats exactlly the type of player we need plus a big man of course! I would love to get TRock at #23 but I would even take him at 18! ------------------ AKA Rendiggler
I saw in a post below by Vengeance that TRock had bad camps, actually he made the All-Tournament 1st team (top 5) at the Phoenix camp which I think was the only camp he attended. He said that he played well even though he was on bad team that didn't make the championship game. FREDTERP ------------------
Since I am not familar with The Rockets, is #44 available for TRock or may I say TRock-et????.. FREDTERP ------------------ [This message has been edited by Fredterp (edited June 27, 2001).]
FredTerp Unfortunately, number 44 is still available. Personally, I think the Rockets should retire it since it is the number of Elvin Hayes. Hayes was the backbone of the original SD Rockets and was probably an instrumental part of Houston persuing the San Diego team when they moved here. Elvin finished his career back in Houston. He was instrumental in helping to bring college basketball nationwide notoriety due to the game when UH beat UCLA back in 1968. I hope that one day the Rockets take steps to retire the jersey of the Big E. ------------------ [This message has been edited by bobrek (edited June 27, 2001).]
Bobrek, Terence wore #44 in high school and Maryland, but you make a great point! Elvin was one of the best ever. He played here in Washington, but I will never forget the game he had against UCLA to break the longest collegiate basketball winning streak of all time!!! FREDTERP ------------------
FredT- If it's within your means, please let TRock know how esctatic we are that he has joined the Rocket family. He has a lot of followers in Houston who believe in him just like you do. Including our franchise player, as well as the head coach and GM-- who love TRock so much they gave up a first rounder for him. That should make him feel better about not going until the second. Who knows how the numbers will work out and he, no doubt, will be facing competition. But I doubt if that is anything that scares him. With his well-rounded skills and size, he's seems not just a lock to make the team but to see PT next season. The Rockets do have a history of mining gems out of the second. Anyway, hope you and TRock's other friends and family there (I used to live in DC ) are as happy about him coming here as we are about getting him. Cheers! ------------------
Welcome Fredrep and nice post. This draft just seems to make up for any negatives in the last 3 drafts. ------------------ "Instinctly u recognize things,now take advantage of what u just recognized!".. Hakeem..
