Why didn't Adam Morrison pan out?

[dunkman04]

He was a scorer -- not a shooter -- that couldn't score against NBA defenses, he didn't strive to improve himself, and he was mentally fragile.

If not for him being a high profile pick, he would have been out of the league even sooner.

I kind of feel the same way about TJ Warren. His college scoring was a lot of off balance 12 footers where he was able to take advantage of much shorter guys and just shoot over the top. I'm not at all sure how his game will translate to the NBA. Usually guys like that are either total busts like Morrison or end up being quite good scorers depending on whether or not they can make their game work. Clearly Adam could not.

[Illmatic12]

Same thing is happening to Jimmer Fredette, he is rotting on the NBA bench. The only great shooter from college that panned out in give NBA is JJ Redick.

Fredette and Morrison weren't shooters, they were scorers. They spent a lot of time in college with the ball and creating off the dribble--that isn't going to work in the NBA if you have subpar athleticism.

Redick is a shooter. His game was all about coming off screens and knocking down shots, and that translates just fine to the NBA even if you aren't a superb athlete

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

He didn’t have a great rookie season which happens to many players, then he tore his ACL and missed his whole second season. Then he was traded to a great Lakers team, where he was buried on the bench for two season. In college he could score at will and create his own shot. He was a men among boys. When he arrived in the NBA Morrison just could not do the things there that made him a special player in college. That just show the huge talent level gap between the NBA and college.

[Sixteen]

I still remember those Jimmy Kimmel live Adam Morrison highlights lol. Highlight of Adams career for me.

[JLei]

He's a case of when draft measurements matter.

When you measure out less athletic (vertically and horizontally) and shorter than Steve Novak pretty good chance in the NBA you aren't creating offense against athletes and length.

Also when you measure out that poorly you generally are going to be a horrible defender which the eyes and analytics backed up. A wing player doesn't even have to be good defensively to stay on the court but he can't be an albatross where you get attacked at every time. (Jeremy Lamb is a good offensive player yet they won't play him because he is a disaster defensively).

He was 30% 3pt shooter until his junior season where he did shoot well and apparently killed it in an open gym in front of scouts (made like 75/110 3's or something) and perhaps they over estimated his shooting ability as well.

Being unable to score efficiently or defend leaves you with very little to work with.

[Yoshun]

I remember when he was drafted saying I thought he'd be a role player at best, 12/5 kind of numbers maybe. He was a beast in college but he didn't have NBA game. Everyone is taller, faster, smarter, etc... Players just can't score in the NBA the way he scored in college.

[Massamba]

Larry Brown + knee injury = End of career.

[islanders11040]

damn time went fast. Melo and Morrison are the same exact age??? only a month apart birthday?

[JellosJigglin]

He was a scorer -- not a shooter -- that couldn't score against NBA defenses, he didn't strive to improve himself, and he was mentally fragile.

If not for him being a high profile pick, he would have been out of the league even sooner.

Yeah the guy couldn't spot up. But you'd think someone that dominated college like he did would find a niche in the NBA. He was never able to adapt, and watching him on the court was like watching a soaking wet puppy shivering in the cold rain. His confidence was so low you just felt sorry for the guy. Can't lack confidence in this league. The 15th man on the bench is itching to take your minutes.

[wetsthebed]

Same thing is happening to Jimmer Fredette, he is rotting on the NBA bench. The only great shooter from college that panned out in give NBA is JJ Redick.

The only great shooter from college that panned out is JJ Redick?

[j-ragg]

Same thing is happening to Jimmer Fredette, he is rotting on the NBA bench. The only great shooter from college that panned out in give NBA is JJ Redick.

The only great shooter from college that panned out in JJ Redick?

Who knew... I guess all of the other great shooters in the league came straight from HS or the DLeague?

[Sofa King]

Lol at people believing dude was serious about Morrison being a great champion. Do you guys really think someone's that stupid?

yes

anyway when I read the title, the immediate answer was that Adam just sucked.

After reading this thread, I recall injuries were the main issues early on when he was with the Bobcats. Then he lost all confidence. He did well in Europe with his confidence back.

[JLei]

Same thing is happening to Jimmer Fredette, he is rotting on the NBA bench. The only great shooter from college that panned out in give NBA is JJ Redick.

The only great shooter from college that panned out in JJ Redick?

Who knew... I guess all of the other great shooters in the league came straight from HS or the DLeague?

You can't be a disaster on defense. You can be bad and hidable in 5-10 minute spurts with team defense. You can't be an albatross. J.J. Redick has worked his way to not be a below average but not terrible defensive player. The line between playable and out of the league is basically that.

If you are 6-8 6-9 you have a chance to eke out 12th man duties if you are a complete dead eye like Novak or James Jones. Otherwise you have to be able to at least not be horrible on D.

[trustykilo]

The only great shooter from college that panned out in JJ Redick?

Who knew... I guess all of the other great shooters in the league came straight from HS or the DLeague?

You can't be a disaster on defense. You can be bad and hidable in 5-10 minute spurts with team defense. You can't be an albatross. J.J. Redick has worked his way to not be a below average but not terrible defensive player. The line between playable and out of the league is basically that.

If you are 6-8 6-9 you have a chance to eke out 12th man duties if you are a complete dead eye like Novak or James Jones. Otherwise you have to be able to at least not be horrible on D.

Nailed it. No defense, no legit minutes.

[JLei]

Who knew... I guess all of the other great shooters in the league came straight from HS or the DLeague?

You can't be a disaster on defense. You can be bad and hidable in 5-10 minute spurts with team defense. You can't be an albatross. J.J. Redick has worked his way to not be a below average but not terrible defensive player. The line between playable and out of the league is basically that.

If you are 6-8 6-9 you have a chance to eke out 12th man duties if you are a complete dead eye like Novak or James Jones. Otherwise you have to be able to at least not be horrible on D.

Nailed it. No defense, no legit minutes.

It's what I worry about with McDermott. His analytical projections are like pathetic on defense and he looks the part of someone who is going to have a helluva time defending anything in the NBA.

[JellosJigglin]

You can't be a disaster on defense. You can be bad and hidable in 5-10 minute spurts with team defense. You can't be an albatross. J.J. Redick has worked his way to not be a below average but not terrible defensive player. The line between playable and out of the league is basically that.

If you are 6-8 6-9 you have a chance to eke out 12th man duties if you are a complete dead eye like Novak or James Jones. Otherwise you have to be able to at least not be horrible on D.

Nailed it. No defense, no legit minutes.

It's what I worry about with McDermott. His analytical projections are like pathetic on defense and he looks the part of someone who is going to have a helluva time defending anything in the NBA.

I see another Jason Kapono. He'll be a journeyman mercenary who will find his way onto a championship team.

[Kabookalu]

He wasn't that good first and foremost. Some thought his work ethic would be able to overcome that like in college but then it was found out that his work ethic was overrated. He worked hard, for like a week, and stopped working on his game again until the next time he found motivation.

He also had serious confidence issues. I remember reading how he couldn't play to his full potential on his own homecourt because he was scared of disappointing the homecrowd and wished every game was an away game. Apparently the only time he could remove those nervous jitters was when people were booing him.

Lastly he lacked athleticism, and a lot of it. He was compared to Bird but even Bird was twice more athletic than him. Bird had good coordination, Morrison was robotic.

Taking all these things into consideration it's surprising he lasted as long as he did.

[Higga]

He was a great college player because he was a 22 year old playing against mostly 18-19 year olds. Didn't have the raw talent to play in the NBA where you're playing with grown men.

[teerfour+40LG]

NOBODY WATCHED HIM PLAY.

Torn ACL after his rookie season ruined his career.

[Kabookalu]

NOBODY WATCHED HIM PLAY.

Torn ACL after his rookie season ruined his career.

11.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, 0.4spg, 0.1bpg, 1.7to on .376% shooting. Ended the season with a 7.9 PER. The only other player to finish that low that year was like Bruce Bowen who was probably the best perimeter defender that season. Morrison was one of the worst.

There was no career to begin with. Maybe if he didn't get hurt he'd have a .season shooting over 400%. Yay for him.