...he said, "I take back what I said about Randolph Morris."
Just breaking chops, Randy. We kid because we care.
Despite a 1-for-8 shooting night and just 4 points and 3 rebounds in 26:21, no one should be ready to label Morris as a bust or anything close to a disappointment. He's like that car that has sat in the lot for a few months. You can't just start it up and expect it to peel out down the road.
Trust me, this kid can play. Just give it time and, right now, time is all the Knicks have left in this season.
Morris was a project when the Knicks signed him out of Kentucky last March -- in fact, his one-year anniversary as a Knick is tomorrow, Easter Sunday -- and, considering his extreme lack of playing time this season, the 22-year-old big man is still very much a work-in-progress. One of the most important parts of any pro athlete's game is timing and without anything previous to draw from, Morris still has to adjust to the NBA game.
"I would say if it does feel strange it's from a lack of experience," Morris said of finding his game now that he's suddenly getting ticks. "Going through the ups and downs of a rookie year you're learning as much as possible. That's what I'm going to try to keep doing."
Isiah Thomas has thrust him into the starting lineup for these two games (including tonight in Minnesota) to see what he can do. Morris' contract expires after this season and Thomas said the team wants to see what he can do before they make a financial decision on him. It's kind of unfair to the kid to have to audition for a contract after sitting for most of the season, but that's the business.
And if there was ever an opportunity to prove some value, it will be tonight against one of the league's up-and-coming big men, Al Jefferson. Morris has to find a way to stay out of foul trouble and the Knicks have to find ways to get Morris involved in the offense. He has the ability to play the pick-and-roll and, as we've said before, he has the footwork down for some solid post-moves, most especially a soft jump hook. Like with all Knick big men, defense and rebounding are the most critical elements that need to be seen.
* * *
* - Anyone notice a rival blog stealing our "Tanks A Lot" headline idea? We need to start copyrighting these things. Next thing you know they might start posting thoughtful, intelligent and entertaining blogs about relevant things.
* - For those who are concerned about talk of a possible sale of Newsday to some prospective buyers, one of the reported interested parties, MSG chairman James Dolan, happened to pass my way at the Garden before last night's game while I was talking to one of Memphis' assistant coaches. I know Dolan is not speaking to the media, but I had to make a personal plea: "Mr. Dolan, are you buying Newsday?" No reply. But I was told he gets home delivery. So that's a good sign.
* - Erik Boland holds the fort down from Minnesota tonight while I keep an eye out for Peter Cottontail, catch Easter Sunday Mass and hope I remember where all the eggs are hidden. It's never good to find one when you're moving furniture in July.
Comments (12)
Berman doesn't write the titles for the blogs. The NY Post does and the last I checked you weren't the first to come up with tanks a lot and don't have a copyright on tit. BTW, nobody your blog is entertaining - that's why it gets little to no comments! Post > NewsDay
Ohhhh snap... thems fightin' words.
The Post is fore morons who can't read proper English. It's a joke of a paper. Berman is the worst writer out there. His man-crush for Marbury is ridiculous.
What do you expect from that slime, Berman. He's like Peaceman. You have to delouse after reading his diatribes.
But a hockey writer, and a second-rate hockey writer, getting upset at Berman. For shame.
Why is Nate Robinson still getting to start at PG and Major minutes? He is no PG since he started to be the everyday PG he has averaged 3.5 assist and 2.2 Turnovers and this month he is averaging 2.5 assist and 2 Turnovers. Sorry but Fred Jones put up better numbers then Nate as our SG as a Starter and he helped Crawford on defense so he didn't get burned or lite up like last night against Mike Miller something Nate cant help Crawford on.......
Zeke said from what I read he was going to play the major minutes to the Young Players and Players who might not be on this team next season but yet he start and plays big minutes to 2 players who will be here next season in Crawford and Robinson as well as Lee. I dont think Zeke should be even playing Crawford or Robinson if he wants to see what the other players can do because they are just ball hogs I mean Nate only had 1 assist and has had 5 games this month with only 1 assist. If zeke wants to see what he has sitting on the bench and in his youth these are the only players who should be playing the remainder of the games
PG.............Collins
SG.............Jones
SF.............Chandler
PF.............Balkman
C...............Morris
Off the Bench........Jeffries / Rose / Richardson
You can't teach having a good motor and Morris' motor is like one of those lawn tractor sprinklers that crawls along the hose. Some players just don't have "it" and Morris clearly lacks that competitive spirit in his game.
I'm sure 'Tanks a Lot' has been used in some form or another by some writer or another each and every year in every sport. It's not fresh, or cute, or clever. Just old and tired. A headline for a lazy writer who can't come up with something new. Like when the knicks were good and in the playoffs, it was always 'Knicks in six'. BOOOORRRRIIIIIING!!! (YAWN). And if it's not used, it is because it's so lame. I fart at that phrase. PPPPHHHRRRRRRT!!! I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
Alan, I like your Blog more than any of the other knicks blogs out there, especially lame-o knickerblogger. But 'Tanks a Lot'??? You blew it. I'm going to go back to reading Mike Dougherty, even with his creepy photo on every page.
I still would have kept Demetrius Nichols for the insurance and cut or bought out another player earlier in the year. We could have used this tank time since we are in pre-summer league mode.
Morris...like most of the rest of the Knicks...belongs in the CBA.
Maybe Dolan will buy Newsday and will make Zeke Alan's boss?
It is truly amazing, but the Knicks are finally, after seven years, doing something smart. They need to lose the rest of their games. And they are not treating their fans like idiots attempting to "win" a handful of games, and slip to the seventh or eight slot.
Maybe Dolan has a plan. Lose as many games as possible. Hire a real GM to make the high pick. Ditch Randolph and Curry and build around the high pick, Lee, Chandler, Robinson, and perhaps one of Memphis' point guards (Lowry could be an interesting acquisition).
Hire a coach will build make them work hard, play defense, and compete.
Maybe, just maybe.
Another important game for us to lose. Make it happen!
We must get a top 3 pick and Isiah out.
Shocking a follower of that blog wouldn't know facts or understand how to investigate facts before reporting something. Blog headlines are, in fact, written by the bloghost. Headlines in the newspaper aren't.
Now pipe down, son, and maybe you'll learn something. There are grownups talking here.