Knicks sign Randolph Morris

[BigBlueFan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2809958

Good luck, Randolph!

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

oh man how come I didn't get signed?

 

[Really Lost One]

How good is Randolph Morris? I don't really know much about him or his situation, but from what I remember, the guy declared for the draft, but didn't get drafted, prompting him to return to college. If that's true, how much potential does he have? Wwhat type of player can he become? Because he didn't get drafted....

 

[Mr. J]

I remember doing some research on him back in 2005.

He seems like another Jackie Butler to me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's a young center with potential who we signed for cheap. I'm noy complaining, but I'm also not expecting exceptional things from him.

Anyone (UK, CK, VC?) want to enlighten me on him again?

 

[Schaddy]

Morris is very skilled - the thing with him is consistency and effort. He gets complacent when he's not touching the ball enough on offense. But he's a better passer than I thought he'd be and he is capable of being very good on the offensive glass. He has decent hands, but not great footwork. I think he'll become a servicable player in the NBA, but unless he develops some kind of killer instinct, he'll be another one of these centers who puts up a couple double/doubles, then doesn't score double figures again for a week.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Morris is very skilled - the thing with him is consistency and effort. He gets complacent when he's not touching the ball enough on offense. But he's a better passer than I thought he'd be and he is capable of being very good on the offensive glass. He has decent hands, but not great footwork. I think he'll become a servicable player in the NBA, but unless he develops some kind of killer instinct, he'll be another one of these centers who puts up a couple double/doubles, then doesn't score double figures again for a week.</div>
I forgot about another NCAA guru - Schaddy. Thanks. How is he defensively? That's where we're struggling the most.

 

[Schaddy]

<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I forgot about another NCAA guru - Schaddy
Thanks. How is he defensively? That's where we're struggling the most.</div>

LOL I'm sure UK can still give you a much better scouting report

He's adequate defensively, but like his offense, he gets a bit lazy at times. His blocks seem to sort of come in clusters, but depending on how the Knicks like to play defensively, he could become more effective. He's got the athleticism to be a better than average shot swatter. He needs to be more physical, but that's often a complaint I have of bigs, so maybe he'll be ok. He seems to play well when matched against a good offensive big, or at least play harder than other times. He can get confused if a team screens him enough, but UK's defense helped him there. He appears uncomfortable defending much outside the paint, he's very mechanical in his movements. I think he's got more of a ways to go as a defender than on offense, but again I'm picky about defense.

For not having to spend a pick on the guy, this is certainly a low-risk, potentially high reward signing. Good job...uh...Zeke? whoa...

 

[NTC]

What ever happened to Jackie Butler by the way?

 

[Mr. J]

^He was signed by the Spurs in the offseason and has barely played.

 

[Run BJM]

He had a great year this year on a disappointing Kentucky team. I only saw one or two games of his this year but I would say Schaddy is pretty much spot on. Hes got an NBA ready body, he's big, strong, pretty athletic for his size. Hes got good touch around the rim, decent at defense and shotblocking. He seems like a pretty low energy/emotion player, I'm not sure if its because he doesn't care or if he just doesn't get too high or too low emotionally like a Tim Duncan. He also lacks aggressiveness and killer instinct. I'd compare him to Erick Dampier; big, strong, decent athleticism for his size, decent touch around the rim and a decent post game when given touches, lacks focus (especially when he doesn't get the ball on offense).

Hes still very young but I think he'll stick in the NBA. The big question with him is whether he'll just be a backup or a starter and that will probably come down to how aggressive and focused he is because he has the physical tools and skills to be very successful in the NBA. Good low risk high reward signing by Isaiah.

 

[Chutney]

That's a pretty good signing. It's like having an extra draft pick, because he's got all the potential to be a pretty decent player.

 

[J_Ray]

I like Randolph Morris a lot and I think his stats are watered down considering he's the only talented big man Kentucky had, so he got all the attention. Whenever I saw them play tough competition like UConn in last year's tourney, or Florida this year, he showed up to play. I think Morris will become a legitimate bench player and contribute next to Frye.

 

[bbwSwish]

Wait, did the Knicks just make a smart move? Whoa, this is like the Twilight Zone.

Seriously though, this is a good signing and I definitely forgot he was a free agent after his last game at Kentucky. Someone who is into the NCAA, isn't that Kruger guy at UNLV in a similar situation because he's a fifth year senior who chose to play an extra year with his dad?

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wait, did the Knicks just make a smart move? Whoa, this is like the Twilight Zone.

Seriously though, this is a good signing and I definitely forgot he was a free agent after his last game at Kentucky. Someone who is into the NCAA, isn't that Kruger guy at UNLV in a similar situation because he's a fifth year senior who chose to play an extra year with his dad?</div>

No, fifth year seniors are different than players who have declared for the draft. Alando Tucker is a fifth year senior, as are several other marquee names on the tip of my tongue. That just means they redshirted a year. Morris is eligible because he declared for the draft and went undrafted. Therefore he was eligible to be signed as a free agent but also eligible to return to college ball because he had yet to sign an agent.

 

[J_Ray]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No, fifth year seniors are different than players who have declared for the draft. Alando Tucker is a fifth year senior, as are several other marquee names on the tip of my tongue. That just means they redshirted a year. Morris is eligible because he declared for the draft and went undrafted. Therefore he was eligible to be signed as a free agent but also eligible to return to college ball because he had yet to sign an agent.</div>

If he wanted to stay for the rest of his eligibility, could he re-entered the draft?

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

here is one link to his dunk.