Randolph Morris

[evildallas]

It's been pretty much assumed by Hawks fans that Morris is gone this year. What would you expect with 213 minutes played over a 2 year stint with the team. As I was starting to post how the Celtics would probably be able to turn Alabi into a solid pro with the 19th pick, but that if he slipped to us he'd probably be a flop due to superior big man coaching, it got me thinking. Are we sure that Randolph Morris can't play? Woodson never used him except in blowouts or maybe just to foul Dwight Howard. Neither is a good place to evaluate him. Mike Woodson didn't feel it was his job to motivate players (he said so himself) and he obviously didn't feel that getting contributions from young players was part of his job either. Woodson was so concerned about his regular season record that he would only play those players that he was comfortable with and when young players minutes were questioned in the press he blamed the players for not blowing people out to allow him to play those development players.

I don't really think Randolph Morris is a hidden all star, but my point is that just like Jeff Teague we've not seen enough to be confident one way or another. Big men take longer to develop and Morris has now been in the league almost 4 years. If he has been learning maybe he's ready to breakout (at least to be a serviceable backup C).

What do you think? Was it the Woodson effect or does Morris just suck too bad to play in the NBA?

[azuresou1]

I think Randolph Morris can be a productive big man off the bench for a contending team, and even play some spot starting minutes in injury time - someone like a Glen Davis.

I mean, tiny sample size, but he had a PER this year of 14.6, a .586 TS%, and pretty decent Per 36 numbers, asides from his atrocious foul rate. However, given that his job these past few years was to dish out fouls, I'm not sure how much of that is on him. He also actually has better post moves than anyone else on the team, which is both a positive (for him) and unthinkably wretched (for the rest of the team).

I wouldn't mind giving him a spot on the roster on a minimum contract. I mean, he IS only 24, and it'd be between him and someone like a Jason Collins again.

[MaceCase]

His foul rate seems to be the result of lack of athleticism. There's a chance he might improve his IQ to at least somewhat mitigate some of those fouls but I'm not really willing to have to watch him for another two years while he develops that.

[Atlanta Hawk Fan]

Randolph is too soft to do much in the NBA, IMO. I don't think he will ever be close to a Glen Davis.

[HMFFL]

Randolph reminds me of a big sloth that has no passion for the game. Like AHF said, Glen Davis to me is on a completely different level, and has a V12 compared to the 4-cylinder Randolph has. I prefer us to pursue other options and there is youth out there that can be more productive.

[FCNATL85]

I am not convinced about that6"11 and 265.
I would keep the guy one more year at least under new management to evaluate his production with more PT.
I like his touch on the offensive side...

[HMFFL]

I am not convinced about that6"11 and 265.
I would keep the guy one more year at least under new management to evaluate his production with more PT.
I like his touch on the offensive side...

That one year can still happen, but as a role on our practice squad, so if he doesn't receive any offers (NBA or Overseas) he should continue to be a common face at Philips Arena behind the scenes. Chris Crawford had a role like this after the 03-04 season. Having access to the practice floor 24/7 and waiting for his chance again not on our cap is the way I prefer things.

[evildallas]

I posed the question basically because I can't tell what we have on our team talent-wise because Woodson never gave them a chance to succeed or fail. However after several days of thought I'm in favor of drafting a big most likely in the 2nd round. I would love Prestes from what I read, but I will settle for Pittman or Zoubek (who I'd sign if he's not drafted as well). And I think we should bring back Garrett Siler. I don't know if Garrett Siler can play at the NBA level, but I do know he was willing to spend a year in China to continue playing ball. He also has the greater bulk that with coaching has been shown to slow down Dwight Howard. Morris has been being given the chance to learn in the NBA and when given time in a mop up game fouled out in rapid fashion.

The key is the coaching in my opinion. Learning to fight for position without fouling or force a guy left. Every dollar we save by going cheap at head coach we need to apply to the budget for a big man coach like Clifford Ray. Money spent that way will probably pay off better in the long run than any center available in free agency.