You have to wonder if the Rockets told this guy anything... he seems confident, way too confident actually. From ESPN Insider and the Washington Times: Morris driving into first round: Maryland's Terence Morris, who was once a sure-fire lottery pick in many teams' eyes, has been flying way below the radar. After a lackluster senior season when scouts questioned his drive and an ill-timed stand-up of teams at the Chicago pre-draft camp, Morris seems to have fallen off the earth. He doesn't see it that way. Morris told the Washington Times that he's bought a Mercedes and is preparing for the high life. Second round picks get no guaranteed money and often struggle to make the squad. Morris isn't worried; he thinks he's going in round one. "Honestly, I don't really see anybody in the draft that is better than me," Morris said following a workout last week at Cole Field House. "I just have that confidence, but a lot of NBA teams look at other things." http://www.washtimes.com/sports/default-200162022375.htm ------------------ "Basketball players win basketball games. Athletes win track meets."-- Shane Battier Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited June 20, 2001).]
OK, for all the Morris supporters, aren't ya'll just a bit disturbed by Morris's attitude? I mean, if I were in his position, I would still be busting my hump trying to be drafted as high as possible (Higher draft position = higher rookie salary, among other issues). Even if I wanted to be a Rocket, I would still be working hard, bringing up my stock as much as possible, forcing the Rocks to take me at #13 if they had to and wanted me. It's like being a future law school grad, and you always wanted to work for 'Big-Time Lawyers & Assoc.' They are recruiting you, but 'Equally Big-Time Lawyers 'R Us' are also recruiting you and promise that, if you intern with them over your break (they will compensate you for your living expenses) and do well, they will start you at 30% over what 'BL&A' will offer. Now what would you or any other person do? Just a thought. ------------------
Terence is working hard in other workouts. Paul Silas said if the rest of his workouts went as well as his workout in Charlotte, his draft position will go up. But I'm glad he's confident, and I actually agree that there is no one 'better' than him in the draft. Potentially better is another question. Battier is only more polished than Tmo. ------------------
His comments aren't upsetting in the least. Some team has assured him he'll go in the first round. I don't know if that's us, but I wouldn't bet against it. And I like his confidence. He knows he's better than people are giving him credit for. ------------------
He could just be the typical ego-manical jock who thinks he will go in the 1st, no matter what anyone tells him. Michael Redd from Ohio State said the same thing last year, until two days before the draft when he finally figured out he wasn't going in the 1st. I don't think he is wrong to believe in himself but I will be surprised if he does go in the 1st. But he will be a nice 2nd round pick-up.
Tmo, I am more confident in Battier's shot than Morris's. They're both good defenders. Morris is a better rebounder than Battier, right? I would put Morris over Jefferson in a close call because Morris can shoot better. I haven't seen JJ. I would consider Tmo at 18, if not used to move up, as I am unimpressed by the 5's after Woods. I am hoping the Rocks can move up for Woods, Diop if he drops, or Battier if he drops. I will consider this a good draft if the rockets get Morris. ------------------
Battier's shot is definitely more automatic than Terence's, though their mechanics are about the same. Battier has more confidence. Their junior years, Terence has 52 pts. and 32 rebs. Battier had 52 pts. and 19 rebs. Senior year there's no comparison, but the talent Tmo showed that year is still there. ------------------
But he didn't say that. Instead TMo said he didn't see anybody in the draft that he thought was better than him. That kind of statement has Catoesque ego written all over it, and when you couple it with TMo's inability to improve over 4 years, there's just no sign that this guy is an NBA caliber player. The fact remains that he was a role-player at the college level. Most NBA role players were former college standouts. How many college role-players turn into legit NBA players? Almost none. The love affair this board seems to have with TMo is ridiculous - other than being physically gifted, TMO has shown no evidence that he can survive the longer and tougher NBA season. If the Rockets (or any other NBA team) want to take a chance on someone, there are better players to consider than TMo. If TMo has any brains, he won't drive that Mercedes before the draft. The less miles, the higher the resale value, and TMo will be in serious need of cash after the draft. I hear the Nepalese basketball team doesn't pay airfare for players trying out. [This message has been edited by subtomic (edited June 20, 2001).]
I was being ironic, subatomic.I think it would have been stupid for someone with known confidence issues to say anything other than what he did. It shows he is ready to assert himself. ------------------
Subatomic if you don't think Terence improved, you did not watch him play. Freshman year he was skinny and dribbled the ball off his foot CONSTANTLY Sophomore year he improved greatly and scored a lot because of Steve Franics Junior year he got double and triple teamed, STILL his numbers went up, but the media know-nothings blasted him anyway. Senior year came the dropoff. That was the ONLY season he was even close to being a 'role player'. He does to many things well to be called a role-player. He outplayed SHANE BATTIER junior year. That proves he can play in the league. ------------------
Is there anyone in the NBA who would take TMo over Battier? If he sees himself as a top ten (or top 15) fine, but he won't go in the top 15 unless Rudy gives us a nervous breakdown and picks him high. He may become a good NBA player- but he is a risk at best above pick #20 ------------------
Thank you very much for the article. I am a little uncomfortable with the Benz but the staying in school offset that for me. Tmo thanks for the broadened perspective. The Rockets should take the chance, it looks like good and needed value, if we get him at 23. Things are "rosey" for the Rocks whether they trade up of not. ------------------
I believe we drafted a guy that no one thought we would in the 1st rd about 8 years ago and didn't think would help us. He has now 2 rings with Houston Rockets and 2 with the Lakers. He played center for Alabama but could shoot(never was a dominant player but a role player-Sprewell as the main player at Alabama). Yeah that guy named ROBERT HORRY. Terence Morris can be a very good player on the right team. I think he fits here but we will have to see what happens on draft day. I do think we will make a trade on draft day either moving up or down(or for players)... ------------------
Tmo- I don't know him as well as you do and if Steve F. is really pushing some for him that helps me, but I hear alot about him not cranking it up his senior year and tanking in workouts. Rocks burned us some on Turkstan and Rhodes so I'm looking for as little risk as possible on the higher picks. Tmo at 18 or 23 is fine with me if we did real well with a higher pick. ------------------
Screw Terrance Morris. Junior Year he played 2 good games against Battier, but who's the better player now? Certainly not Morris. If I'm the Rockets I would offer all 3 picks to somehow get Eddie Griffin and something secondary like a 2nd rounder. ------------------
Can you say Derrick Chevious? Anybody remember when the Band Aid Man said he could take anyone in the NBA one-on-one. He might be good at #23 but not 13. ------------------
Bonomaniac, For what it is worth, in three games his junior year, Terence Morris had 52 points and 36 rebounds, Battier had 52 points and and 19 rebounds. IMO, Battier has peaked while Terence has not come close to his potential. Terence Morris was the glue to last years' Terp Final Four team with his rebounding, blocked shots, excellent foul shooting that was not taken advantage of, intimidation, and passing. With the Rockets 2nd or 3rd pick on the first round, the Rockets will be getting Terence Morris cheap, that is if you want a team player, i.e. a Red Auberach team type player going back to the Celtic dynasty of the 50's and 60's. For a guy who was considered in the top 6 picks after his soph year, his POTENTIAL is still there for a cheap 2nd or 3rd pick for the Rockets. It has been rumored that Charlotte may take him at No.16. Someone is giving Terence some indication on where he is to be taken in the draft, that certainly would explain why he bought two mercedes for himself and his mother. Terence made 1st team All-ACC while playing with Steve Francis, I would love to see them team up again. FREDTERP ------------------ [This message has been edited by Fredterp (edited June 20, 2001).]
Two Mercedes? He's got to know he's going first round, then. I sure would like to know who signed the notes with him. No one could loan that kind of money to a college student without a guarantor. ------------------ Some days you eat the bear. Some days the bear eats you.
