Verro

I'm not sure I buy into Morrison being such a fiery competitor. Don't get me wrong he puts on a good show with the facial expressions and theatrics such as banging a ball off his forehead.

But if he REALLY hated to lose, he wouldn't be such an apathetic defender. Defense is where the team that wants it more is identified... and also the players.

He kind of reminds me of an old acquaintance, he'd make such a big to do about starting a new businesses and how successful he was going to be... he seemed really passionate about it. You'd probably believe him, if you didn't happen to notice he woke up every day at noon and spent the rest of the day smoking weed.

zagsfan20

I don't see the corellation...

Bird wasn't a great defender was he not passionate?...

Ray Allen isn't a good defender at all does that make him not passionate?...

I think its more of a case of Morrison not needing to exert all his energy on the defensive side for his team to win in college...I think in the NBA he will realize quick (i mean like summer league quick) that he needs to play defense if he wants to play in the league....and with his near 7'0" wing span I see no reason why he can't be a pesky defender in the mold of Tayshaun Prince, or someone of that ilk.

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Verro

Bird wasn't a great defender because of his athletic deficiencies but the intensity was always there. Even with chronic back problems you'd see him diving on the floor after loose balls. Morrison just looks like he'd rather be somewhere else while he's playing defense.

If we end up with Morrison I hope you're right.

OntheRocks

I actually have been thinking about this everytime I see that comparison pop up as well.

Keith put up solid numbers for his first 7 years or so.... something like 16-22 Pts , 6-9 Rbs a year.

If Morrison does that for the blazers for seven years, he's worth the pick up!

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Kmurph

This a very good point ZagsFan and I think overlooked by a LOT of Morrison critics.

Gonzaga was what last year? 29-4? Just think for a minute what they would have been like w\o Morrison there...

That team had little to offer outside of Morrison offensively...Batista had a decent season & Raivio was uneven at best...Niether of those guys are NBA caliber players.....

I don't think Morrison is ever going to be a good defender, but he can certainly be an adequete one...But on that Gonzaga team his #1, #2 and #3 job was to provide scoring...he had too for Gonzaga to be competitive IMO....and so he expended a majority of his energy towards that end.....

I don't think he is going to be required in the NBA to carry the full scoring load for his team...and if he wants to play for Nate then he will have to even his effort out on both sides of the floor, and IMO he can do that....

IF you can create opportunities for yourself on offense through bball IQ...then you can do the same on defense....

Defense like offense isn't all athletically based.....

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Oil Can

Diabetes is always a concern...but...Chris Dudley had it and managed it for a lengthy NBA career. In my eyes it is almost a non-issue.

If anything, it just gives hi manother nasty chip on his shoulder.

Blazer Maven

Give me a break! Pippen was an all-around player who played 4 positions. Gay plays 2: SF and PF. Gay is not a passer, does not initiate the offense and is a decent scorer. Gay is athletic beyond belief, but is not a complete player.

Gay's skill set is more Jerome Kersey than Pippen, however, Gay lacks Kersey's intensity, which is what made Jerome as good as he was.

Brandon Roy has far more in common with Pippen than does Rudy Gay.

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AZblazersfan

I think we need to do whatever it takes to get Morrison. He will be a proficient scorer in the league from day 1, and most importantly, he will bring excitement back to the team which this franchise is sorely in need of. You can hide a below average defender with good team defense.

Dan

good points. if they surround him with good defenders (or at least other players who will play defense..not named darius) his "bad" defense will be off-set by his ability to score.

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SheedSoNasty

Jack - Good defender (Telfair's not bad, either)
Webster - Underrated thus far
Przybilla - Good defender

If we could add a Tyrus Thomas, Paul Millsap or a Rasheed Wallace type defender at the 4, Morrison's lack of D won't be that bad.

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yakbladder

Well, great, all we have to do then is replace almost all the other positions and we'll have good team defense...Right now Joel and Theo hide everyone else's bad defense. I think eventually we're going to need to find someone outside of those two who can play stellar defense.

Peaceman

If we want Morrison, I would bet he will be there at #4. I think Charlotte will take Gay at the #3 spot and Aldridge will be a top 1 or 2. The Italian will end up in the top three also.

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Blazed

Well that's your opinion and I'm sure if you search long and far enough you may fine someone else who shares your opinion. The Pippen comparison is a common one with Gay, I've never once heard it made with Roy until you did.

zagsfan20