What do you guys think of Adam Morrison so far?..

[Sinobas]

He has not gotten much playing time this pre-season, so I wonder how serious the Blazers are about him. He looked good in his 1st game against LA, but since then has gone 1-9 from the field.

But I think he's a smart player, he's made some good passes, he might make it on as a 3rd stringer, but with Babbit, Pavlovich and Claver, it doesn't seem likely.

 

[Sinobas]

They already said they aren't waiving Elliot, they filed a disable player exception for him.

Jesus, haven't they learned their lesson with Greg Oden. I hope they don't pick up his option.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

But... but... but this will allow the Blazers to get a foothold in the Spokane market.

If we get control of the Spokane market, will Lebron sign here in 2014?

 

[BBert]

I'd buy a stache jersey for sure.

A personalized Blazers team jersey with just a mustache embroidered on the back instead of a name?

 

[Draco]

Jesus, haven't they learned their lesson with Greg Oden. I hope they don't pick up his option.

Yeah I am very surprised to hear they are going this route. Elliot would count against our cap room next offseason and Olshey said we arn't going to sacrifice that flexibility for a player that doesn't "move the neddle". I don't think we should pick up options on any of Elliot, Babbit or Smith. If we want to resign them as we did with JJ Hickson next summer then fine, but we should first try to make a run at a superior free agent.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

The Blazers have lost every preseason game that Morrison hasn't scored in. They've won the games he's scored at least a point.

As Morrison goes, so do the Blazers.

Just sayin'

Denny, is that your HCP imitation?

I think we should keep him. He does have a veteran presence about him on the floor.

 

[BBert]

Nothing. I don't think about him.

 

[Sinobas]

Yeah I am very surprised to hear they are going this route. Elliot would count against our cap room next offseason and Olshey said we arn't going to sacrifice that flexibility for a player that doesn't "move the neddle". I don't think we should pick up options on any of Elliot, Babbit or Smith. If we want to resign them as we did with JJ Hickson next summer then fine, but we should first try to make a run at a superior free agent.

If Babbit can hit 40+% of his 3s, I'd want to keep him at a cheap price. But Elliot and Smith should be cut to make room for a star.

 

[Sinobas]

The biggest difference between the two is defense ( Pav > AmMo )

However I predict both will make the team:

1.)Lillard
2.)Smith
3.)Price
4.)Mathews
5.)Barton
6.)Pavlovic
7.)Batum
8.)Claver
9.)Morrison
10.)Babbit
11.)Aldridge
12.)Freeland
13.)Hickson
14.)Leonard
15.)Jeffries

16.)Williams (dropped)
17.)Karl (passed over)

I think Karl has earned a roster spot, since, as other's have said, he can play both guard positions, he's very smart, a good shooter, and seems to run the offense well. He's looked so much better than Nolan Smith. I don't see Adam making this team.

If Williams is going to be taking up a roster spot, they should cut Pavlovic, even though he's looked pretty decent this pre-season, I'd rather keep Jefferies who is more versatile.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think Karl has earned a roster spot.

After the Denver game Terry Stotts said this about Karl "I really hopes other teams are watching this kid play because he really does belong in the NBA." That sounds to me like he belongs in the NBA but just not on the Blazers team.

 

[jlprk]

When Olshey signed Price, he created a vacuum at PG depth behind a know-nothing rookie, Lillard. Filling that gap is why Karl has received the minutes to display himself.

There is no such gap at forward, so Morrison has hardly played. If the vacuum were at forward instead of PG, we'd be singing the praises of Morrison right now instead of Karl.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

When Olshey signed Price, he created a vacuum at PG depth behind a know-nothing rookie, Lillard. Filling that gap is why Karl has received the minutes to display himself.

There is no such gap at forward, so Morrison has hardly played. If the vacuum were at forward instead of PG, we'd be singing the praises of Morrison right now instead of Karl.

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

 

[NOVoodoo]

Do you realize that Portland has the world's largest Montenegron population outside of New York City? There is a mom and pop kiosk on literally every corner in Portland selling Montenegron sausage. You don't notice them at games because the Montenegroes have to sit at the back.

I definitely didn't realize that. That's some interesting information though. How did Portland wind up with so many people from Montenegro? Seems pretty random...

 

[jlprk]

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

My point is that Karl has looked better than Morrison in these preseason games only because he has gotten a lot more crucial minutes, because of Lillard and Price missing games.

 

[Boob-No-More]

When Olshey signed Price, he created a vacuum at PG depth behind a know-nothing rookie, Lillard. Filling that gap is why Karl has received the minutes to display himself.

There is no such gap at forward, so Morrison has hardly played. If the vacuum were at forward instead of PG, we'd be singing the praises of Morrison right now instead of Karl.

Interesting theory, but not supported by facts.

First, Morrison plays shooting guard, not forward. He hasn't really played forward since college. SG is probably our weakest position, with the least depth. Nolan Smith, in theory is a combo guard who can back-up both guard spots. It's true, he does play both guard positions, but he plays them both poorly. Coby Karl's natural position is SG, where he is competing with Morrison for table scraps. But, unlike Smith, Karl can actually effectively run the point for limited stretches.

Second, Morrison has played more than Karl. Morrison has played 57 minutes to Karl's 47. Karl has completely out produced Morrison (EFF = 6.50 vs. EFF = 2.00).

Keep Karl and cut Morrison. Karl can play both guard positions. Morrison's biggest problem is he doesn't really have a position in the NBA. He's far too slow and unathletic to play either SG or SF in the NBA. Plus, Morrison looked totally disinterested last night, like he didn't even want to be in the game. Karl, on the other hand was totally into the game, both when he came in for Lillard in the 1st quarter (GREAT alley-oop to Nic) and late in the game, when the Jazz were cutting into the lead, Karl was urging his teammates to pick up the pace.

Even if Morrison was getting starter minutes, I don't think anyone not related to him would be "singing his praises". He's been that awful.

BNM

 

[Haakzilla]

...time to give Morrison the axe! He has virtually zero hustle in him.

 

[BigGameDamian]

He has virtually zero hustle in him.

How can you say he has zero hustle? He's better than Babbitt.

 

[Boob-No-More]

He has virtually zero hustle in him.

How can you say he has zero hustle? He's better than Babbitt.

Did you watch the game last night? Morrison had no life in him. He looked completely disinterested, like he didn't even want to be in the game.

Babbitt didn't play a great game, but at least he put forth some effort at both ends of the court.

BNM

 

[BigGameDamian]

I guess we will see how Morrison performs tomorrow. I would expect him to have a better game.

 

[noknobs]

I was rooting for Morrison and there was a glimmer of hope after his first game. But he's honestly looked horrible. It's not that he's disinterested. To me it looks like he's timid. He's got serious doubt and it shows. He's over thinking to the point he's dribbling off his foot. He can't play defense and since he's lost any confidence he once had offensively, his shot doesn't fall much either.

Can we stash the Stache in Idaho? I personally think the developmental league would do wonders for him. Start scoring more, being one of the best on the team, get his confidence back where it needs to be, maybe grow that Stache out again.

 

[jlprk]

Interesting theory, but not supported by facts.

First, Morrison plays shooting guard, not forward.

He is 6-8 and looks 230. To play guard he'd have to lose weight and speed up his game. Maybe the diabetes causes a weight problem. He is definitely a forward.

I don't know the cause of his negativity, but the mood disorder won't change in the D-League any more than it did in Europe.

In this preseason, he has been shuffled in to take turns with similars like Babbitt, Claver, Pavlovich, Freeland, etc. In contrast, Karl has played more inspired because he's the only guy who can play PG when Lillard and Price are down. Maybe Karl's minutes are fewer than Morrison's, but they've been more inspired because they've been more crucial to the game outcome.

I'd like to see Morrison when we run out of forwards and the game depends upon him. That's the advantage Karl has had.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Do you realize that Portland has the world's largest Montenegron population outside of New York City? There is a mom and pop kiosk on literally every corner in Portland selling Montenegron sausage. You don't notice them at games because the Montenegroes have to sit at the back.

Repped.

 

[Boob-No-More]

He is 6-8 and looks 230. To play guard he'd have to lose weight and speed up his game. Maybe the diabetes causes a weight problem. He is definitely a forward.

I have no idea where you get "looks 230". NBA.com lists him as 6'8" 205, and based on seeing him from rather close (12th row) on Monday night, I'd say that looks about right. You sure your HD cable feed isn't adjusting the picture to better fit the screen of that 1972 RCA console TV you're watching?

He's played SG ever since he came into the league. Incorrectly perceived weight gain isn't his problem, it's a lack of athleticism that prevents him from competing at the NBA level. He's simply not athletic enough to guard anyone, guards or forwards.

In this preseason, he has been shuffled in to take turns with similars like Babbitt, Claver, Pavlovich, Freeland, etc. In contrast, Karl has played more inspired because he's the only guy who can play PG when Lillard and Price are down. Maybe Karl's minutes are fewer than Morrison's, but they've been more inspired because they've been more crucial to the game outcome.

Are you fucking kidding me? Crucial to game outcome? This is preseason, the games don't count. There is no such thing as a critical outcome in a preseason game. The real inspiration is to make an impression on the coaches and earn a roster spot, and since they both are in the same boat (non-guaranteed contracts), Morrison should be every bit as inspired as Karl. But, based on what I saw on Monday, he's not - and it's not even close. Karl played like man whose future in the NBA is at stake. Morrison played like he didn't give a fuck.

I'd like to see Morrison when we run out of forwards and the game depends upon him. That's the advantage Karl has had.

Again, Morrison is a SG, and has been ever since his rookie year. With Barton and Smith both sitting out, it was the perfect opportunity for Morrison to show that he belongs on an NBA roster. He didn't, and he doesn't. Coby Karl, on the other and, does. He got minutes backing up both guard spots, played both equally well, and was productive and energetic in his limited minutes. Morrison looked like he was sleep walking. He dribbled the ball off his foot and just stood there and watched as it slowly rolled toward the sideline. When you're a marginal NBA talent, you better hustle and bring it every chance you get. Karl does. Morrison doesn't.

BNM

 

[BigGameDamian]

According to HoopsHype Adam Morrison will probably be waived on Saturday.

 

[BigGameDamian]

We will see if Adam can make a strong case to stay on this team tonight or if his confidence is just shot to hell.=)

 

[Nikolokolus]

Good riddance to bad mustachios

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think that Sasha Pavlovic will be staying on this team. Don't forget that Stotts had him when he was in Milwaukee and Sasha played well.

 

[Nate Dogg]

He looked horrible at home against Utah. He tries to dribble around the court trying to get an open lane, shoots his passes like the Sasquatch with the bush.

[video=youtube;4fbQLopuA5M]

He's a SG not a SF.

He's more of a Darius Miles but as a gimp version.

 

[Blazinaway]

Pavlovic is total Blah, a career 40% shooter and 35% from 3pt land, I'd much rather give minutes to Veektor and see what he can do

 

[BigGameDamian]

Pavlovic is total Blah, a career 40% shooter and 35% from 3pt land, I'd much rather give minutes to Veektor and see what he can do

Well it looks like he's the one staying on the team.