Where Adam Morrison Stands

Brandon Roy or Adam Morrison, or maybe Andrea Bargnani as the best performace so far by the semi-hot draft of 2006? It was a draft of alot of similar players and similar total package content but perhaps a very wide range of diffferent skill sets and styles.

Many thought Morrison was the most ready for the NBA on the offensive end of the game, and likely Roy as the most ready as a toal package. I watched both in College and Roy definately had the NBA body style and confidence so I am not surprised he has the highest point per game this year at 15.3 Point per game. Morrison comes in second of the rookie class at 13.1 point per game and many seem to have labeled him as not living up to the expectations?

Id say 13.1 a game on one of the worst teams in the league is really not too bad. I believe (without checking) Wade was 16.1 per game in his first season.

I think we should also try to find a way to factor in the overall weakness of Adam’s team in regards to how it slows his ability to excel out of the gate. Not doubt Andrea Bargnani has a huge advantage on a very talented Toronto team where he has nothing to do but sit at the arc and shoot open three’s as the defense collapses around Bosh.

Charlotte is 25th in the league in total scoring at 95.2 per game, so that 13.1 looks a bit better when it is considered to be 13.8% of the teams scoring. This is not a stars percentage but comparable to other 3 spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs this year.

Portland is even lower in total points with 94.26 per game and Roy’s 15.3 point from this lower number is made evn slightly more impressive.

But the above thought does space adam out from the next nearest which is Andrea Bargnani in third with 10.5 points per game on a team that is 13th in the league with 99 points per game total.

So scoring isnt everything, actually as a real basketball fan its not even my favorite thing.
Adam’s other lines are 3.1 Rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 38% shooting, 70% freethrows, and 34% from the 3pt line.

That above bunch of first year stats are not good or bad. I would say at 3.1 rebounds per game he needs to produce more there. Adam is lucky to be on a team that doesnt need more rebounders with a good arsenal of them, but the person who thinks that way doesnt deserve to play in the NBA.

Rebounds are 90% effort so at his size and speed 3.1 is far too low to help his team night in and out.

2.1 assists is a solid number for his game style, thats a decent number, 38% from the field and 70% from the freethrow line need some serious work and both should come up at least 10% to be considered good.

I think his “struggles” that some may say, at the arc are forgiven as it is his premier skill and he is on a team that doesnt have many players to “free him up” for open looks. I am confident the 3pt percentage will get up to 37-40% next year as they gel.

When compared to Roy we have 83% from the line, 4+ rebounds per game from a guard and comparable assists and turnover numbers.

I think it’s unfair to look ar Roy as a huge success and think of Adam as a wishy washy so-so season. Both have been on a similar and on teams where you can only produce so much.

Roy has the benefit of running the point on a bad team and has a chance to look for his own shot more often and likely get to the line.

Take a look at this number
Branden Roy 135-163 From the freethrow line in 37 games
Adam Morrison 93-133 From the freethrow line in 55 games

Thats 42 more total free throw points in 33% less games played. That figure alone almost makes up the points per game difference we see at the top of this post.

Perhaps Roy is shooting a bit better percentage from everywhere on the court but Morrison is finding his stroke and still recovering his stats from a slow season start. Morrison is simply not on a team that is good enough to free up a shooter for many catch and shoot opportunities.

Roy appears to have been helped by being on another bad team, but he has the rock to find more chances to make points from the line.

Its simply harder for a Spot up 6′9″ jumpshooter to make points on a bad club than for a point gurad who starts off with the ball ever trip down the floor.

Now the most important factor is an experts eye.
For this post I will play the part of an “expert”, though I am a marginal one at best. I have seen both play and Morrison definately lacks the rythem and swagger and look of a pro that Roy already has.

If I had to guess 2 years from now I see Roy improving at a faster curve due to what appears to be a much better ease for the game. Nothing seems forced with Roy and thats the mark of a all-star in waiting. I love nothing more than determination and Adam is the man in this respect, but life has taught me that hard work and drive do have the limits imposed by what god gave you. The bright side to this statement is that the amount of respect hard work can earn you is limitless (see: Ben Walace)

With all this said I will append what always goes here at the bottom of any of my lame Morrison watch blog posts, which is an invite to play some Halo or Battlefront here in my humble crib. I know Morrison to be a geek for the games and would love to someday kick back and put the smackdown on him in Star Wars Battlefront (or get smacked, its’s all good).