from nbatalk: Where in the World is Terence Morris? So did Maryland forward Terence Morris get snubbed from the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp or did he decline an invitation. It depends on who you ask. The original explanation from organizers was that Morris was not invited to the camp. The snub seemed odd given the fact that many lesser talented players were invited. Morris' agent, Jeff Fried, told the Washington Post yesterday that Morris skipped the camp to concentrate on private workouts. According to the Post, Morris has worked out for the Nets, Rockets and Hawks and has roughly seven more workouts scheduled. Several scouts told sportsTALK early this week that despite his promise, Morris is almost sure to completely fall out of the first round. His workouts and camp performance have been mediocre and he's done nothing to set himself apart from the other prospects coming in the door. Someone will likely still take a chance on Morris in the second round and depending on who you talk to, they might be getting the steal of the draft. This is the second year in a row that a player who was once projected as a top lottery pick will likely fall out of the first round because he stayed in school. Last year, Auburn's Chris Porter was projected as a top 5 pick pre-season only to see his stock plummet throughout the year. Porter ended up getting drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round last season and had a solid rookie campaign. Other players like Arizona's Miles Simon and UCLA's Toby Bailey have seen their draft stock plummet by staying in school but no player has ever really seen their stock plummet without reason. Both Simon and Bailey are out of the league and Porter still has a long way to go before proving himself in the league. Maybe we should acquire a 2nd round pick and take him there. After all, we don't plan on keeping all 3 first rounders anyways. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
No, no, no, no, no, no. No. I'll bet anyone that he doesn't want to interest other teams because the Rockets have a keen interest in him. That's why he's laying low. And if we wait til the 2nd round, he'll be gone. And that would be a shame, cause he will be a steal in this draft. ------------------
It would be a very risky situation trying to drop down to the 2nd round. I have no problem waiting till the 23rd pick for Morris but dropping down could very well come back to haunt us. I could very easily see the Spurs picking him up at the end of the first rd to provide the wing player they need. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
anyone believe in the possiblity that Morris is just overated and actually does suck despite the early promise he showed? ------------------ snap crackle pop
June is the month of the "Big Lie", every scout and GM will never tell you the truth about where a player ranks on their draft board. I know anything can happen in a draft, but I find it very hard to believe that after all the bantering and smokescreens Morris would fall out of the first round. ------------------
The more I think about it, this is just like the Chris Porter situation. Lottery pick doesn't improve his last year in school, and falls off greatly. At the beginning of the season he was projected 1-6. I remember everyone saying how we would have to move up to nab him. And if he declined the draft camp, he must not want to be drafted very high. If he was not invited, then the organizers are stupid. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
we are still talking a $2.5m cap hit if we make 3 1st round picks. I agree with barbourdg that we cannot take Morris before Johnson. I disagree that we should risk losing Johnson by letting him pass the #18. To me, if you have your man, five spots is nothing. Also, if we don't like the selection at #13, why not try using it and Cato to get Dickerson back if Vanc does indeed take Richardson. anyone think that is insane???
Where would dickerson play, the 3? I think Johnson will be there at 23, I also think that we can pick up Jefferson (or possiblly - Roney White or Zach Randolph)at the #13, deal with Center at #18 (Woods or Haywood - who ever is available) and Johnson at #23. If we had Woods, Johson, Collier and Cato, where would we find playing time for all these 6'11+ players. As far as Morris, I said before we can trade down for a couple of 2nd round picks, but there is no guarantee that Ken Johson would be there. Maybe we can work out a trade, for some 2nd round picks to get Morris. ------------------
Where would dickerson play, the 3? I think Johnson will be there at 23, I also think that we can pick up Jefferson (or possiblly - Roney White or Zach Randolph)at the #13, deal with Center at #18 (Woods or Haywood - who ever is available) and Johnson at #23. If we had Woods, Johson, Collier and Cato, where would we find playing time for all these 6'11+ players. As far as Morris, I said before we can trade down for a couple of 2nd round picks, but there is no guarantee that Ken Johson would be there. Maybe we can work out a trade, for some 2nd round picks to get Morris. ------------------
So we have barbourdg who thinks Morris sucks and heypartner who wants Dickerson because he thinks the small forward position is useless and you have mmanal and me believing the Rox won't screw around about Morris and will take him 23. I think there's a good chance we'll trade away one or two of the picks anyway, there's just no telling how. ------------------
The fact that oielpere confirmed this is enough for me. ------------------ CC.NET Sim League Web Page My Team (Sonics) Runnin', Ravin', Endin', Out.
Yeah, but then he tried to backtrack and say, "Er, uh, and Gerald Wallace is pretty good, too." Guess he doesn't want to change his username again. What's next, Ojopadre? ------------------
Well, he said that he thought that was what Morris was up to, but he wasn't sure if the Rockets were going along with it, right? I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't be invited to the Chicago pre-draft camp... that might just be more stories he is leaking out to get the other teams to stop considering him. I hope we can get him. I think the guys main problem is that he does not want to be the man, right? Well, with Cat and Franchise, that will not be a problem. ------------------ CC.NET Sim League Web Page My Team (Sonics) Runnin', Ravin', Endin', Out.
I don't agree with any of these theories that Morris is banking on the Rockets taking him at the #23 spot. Rudy and CD do not promise anything to the guys they work out. The last time we did that, a young man named Rashard Lewis sat in the back crying all by himself....I find it hard to believe that Terence Morris is soooo set on playing for Houston that he blows off all other workouts and predraft camps. Oh, also, 2nd rounders do NOT receive guaranteed contracts. So he better pray that the Rockets or some other team takes him in the late first, because if he sucks, then he's out of the NBA forever. He won't even stay as long as Collier and Rhodes. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
Cbssportsline disses Morris too.... Morris has confounded pro-talent evaluators for four years. Few scouts would dispute he would have been a high draft choice following his freshman season. His abilities and expectations made several teams think of him as a budding star. But now, after four years at Maryland, Morris doesn't excite too many scouts. He's thought to be a player who'll always be a "potential star," never quite achieving that goal. Despite infinite skill and fluid play, Morris never appears to play with passion or desire. He's not the guy teams want with the ball in critical situations; he shows little emotion and energy, and gets by with spurts of good play. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
I couldn't agree more about the Spurs. Morris reminds me of Sean Elliot and I think the Spurs would love to get someone like that at the end of the 1st round. His attitude and disposition seem a carbon copy of Elliot's, Duncan's and Robinson's so I think he would be an obvious fit for that team. I would rather see the Rockets take him at 23 if they don't address their small forward needs earlier. ------------------
I agree, no way Morris is tanking to come to the rockets. The rockets will definately take Ken Johson at #23 over Morris. He should view the video on Rashard crying to get a reality check on how the NBA is a business and he should be at the Chicago Camp and every where he can be to make it into the 1st round. Reports from the Chicago Camp already show the following players pushing themselves into the 1st round, which means Morris & other late 1st rounders getting pushed farther down the 2nd round charts: Steven Hunter, DePaul, 14 points on 6-10 shooting, 5 boards, 4 blocks. Hunter was quicker than any big man at the camp. He's put on enough weight to bang and had teams buzzing at the end of the day. Another strong performance and you could hear Hunter's name called in the first round. Sam Clancy, USC, 14 points on 6-13 shooting, 14 boards in 14 minutes. Rumors that Clancy will pull his name out of the draft may be premature. Clancy is a bit on the short side, but makes up for it with a great wingspan and feel for the game Michael Wright, Arizona, 15 points on 5-9 shooting, 9 boards. Wright, at times, dominated. Still scored most of his points in the paint and must show that he can score on the perimeter. Trenton Hassell, Austin Peay, 12 points on 6-11 shooting. Hassell is getting exposure but should be a first round lock. Scouts like his shoot, there aren't many good shooters in the draft. Cookie Belcher, 16 pts on 6-11 shooting, 7 boards. Belcher may not sneak into the first round, but expect him to be one of the top point guards grabbed in round 2. ------------------
