Oh baby, give me one more chance. To show you that I love you. Won’t you please let me back in your heart. -Jackson 5
Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I remember when this cat was the second coming. I remember when this cat was the second coming of a Legend, right down to the cheesy moustache. I remember when this cat was a chief, was a king, but above everything, he was the most tip top, Top Cat!
It all started one night in Maui against Michigan State and continued on until Dr. Dirt’s Gonzaga team suffered a stunning, last second defeat to UCLA and he began weeping like a school girl. That frown got turned upside-down. Got turned upside-down when the Bobcats selected him with the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Third, behind Andrea Bargnani and LaMarcus Aldridge. Third, ahead of Brandon Roy. Ahead of Rudy Gay. Ahead of Randy Foye. Ahead of Rajon Rondo. The first player picked by “Manager of Basketball Operations” Michael Jordan in his tenure with the Bobcats. It all went down hill from there.
In his first year, he was selected to the NBA Rookie All-Star team. In his first year, he was selected to NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In his first year, he was none-the-less considered inconsistent and a disappointment. That’s what happens when you’re the third overall pick. That’s what happens when you’re hailed as the next Larry Bird. That’s what happens when the fate of a franchise is resting on your young shoulders.
At the time, Morrison was a no brainer pick for His Airness. Besides his God-given talent, Morrison showed true grit. Fill your hands you sonofabitch! His competitiveness was unrivaled. Old school right down to his socks. Unfortunately, he never lived up to that hype in Charlotte. It seemed he never saw a shot he didn’t like. It seemed he never played a lick of defense. And last year, he never even played a game.
Now that he’s back, what does the future hold for young Adam? Will he go the way of his first benefactor and fellow third pick Michael Jordan? Or will he end up like another number three, Dennis Hopson, and finish out his career with Maccabi Qiryat Motzkin of the Israeli Basketball League? Chances are, somewhere in between.
Word has it that the ‘Cats only picked up Adam’s option to facilitate a trade. Word has it Larry Brown is none to enamored with Adam’s game. But, save the ponytail, I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far. I like that he’s making quick cuts to the rim. I like that he’s knocking down the J. I like that he’s picking up the pieces less than one year removed from the injury. Of all Charlotte players with meaningful minutes in the preseason, Morrison led the ‘Cats in FG%. 55% from beyond the arc. Not too shabby. I guess I’m just not ready to give up on this guy. Not yet. Not me. Not after what I saw him do in Maui and beyond three years ago. It’s gonna take a lot more than more than one stinking knee injury to change my mind.
Public Spectacle:
Peace out homies. Six two and Even!
Need More? Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats, NBA
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