Randolph Morris' Unique Journey to the NBA

After the 2005 college basketball season, Kentucky center Randolph Morris declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. From the start, it was widely determined that he was making a bad decision. Morris struggled defensively and was inconsistent on offense in his freshman year. He decided not to sign with an agent and ended up not being selected in the 2005-06 draft. After not being drafted, Morris returned to Kentucky for his sophomore and junior seasons under Tubby Smith.

Because of his status as an undrafted player, Morris was able to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with any team. Unlike most undrafted players, however, Morris had not signed with an agent. Morris chose to return to Kentucky after his freshman season and played another two seasons. Since he had already been in the draft once, he was unable to be drafted in the NBA again. Morris was suspended for fourteen games during his sophomore season because in the eyes of the NCAA, he had an agent working on his behalf. The proof of this for the NCAA was that because he did not pay all his own expenses associated with working out for NBA teams.

Over the next two seasons, Morris was one of the top players in the SEC and became a legitimate NBA draft pick. He averaged nearly a double-double last year and played well in some key games.

After his junior season at Kentucky, head coach Tubby Smith left for Minnesota. Shortly after, Morris decided to leave Kentucky and pursue an NBA contract. Morris signed a two year deal worth $1,600,000 with the New York Knicks. A majority of his salary he received during his first NBA season and Morris will make $810,000 this season. Morris’ salary is on par with what the 26th pick received in the 2006 draft and what the 30th pick will sign for in from this years draft.

Morris is a 6'11", 250 pound center, who has shown in the past some crafty moves around the basket. He has several solid post moves including a drop step, a nice spin, and some good jump hooks. Morris’ biggest weaknesses are on the defensive end. He needs to become a better shot blocker and more of a defensive stopper. Additionally, he needs to work on his mid-range jump shot. Morris possess good hands but struggles to put the ball on the floor.

In the end, Morris was lucky to not be drafted in 2005. If he had been a late second round pick, his college career would have been over. He most likely would have signed an rookie minimum contract and end up playing in the NBDL or overseas. Instead, Morris is guaranteed to at least make $1,500,000 and could have a future in the NBA.

The Triangle Offense Explained

Renato Afonso of the Forum Blue & Gold posted a comprehensive breakdown of the triangle offense. Afonso also discussed how the current Los Angeles Lakers fit into the triangle offense.

The Roles
Each position fills a need of the team, but when the triangle is used to perfection, it doesn’t matter who does what, as long as they occupy their place.

PG: He just has to bring the ball forward and read the defense and the mismatches that exist and exploit them. He should be taller than average not only for defensive purposes but also to allow exploring the weak side early on, allowing the PG to post up with just two passes off the dribble without compromising the play or letting the defense know that that’s the option being used.

SG/SF: They basically have the same role in this offense, with height being the only true difference between them. Since the PG (or ball carrier) chooses the side where the offense starts, playing the SG or the SF is a matter of choice or design (or luck) on each and every play.

PF: The most important player in this offense — a team playing the triangle offense without a PF able to rebound and hit the mid-range jump shot consistently won’t win (unless competition really sucks, which is not the case here).

C: Since the offense was originally designed for a quality big man inside, no further explanation is needed here.

How It Works
This offense allows great flexibility on every move or cut, allowing multiple options at all times. Of course, once every player has an option during the offensive motion, the triangle efficiency is proportional to the basketball IQ of the players on court. And that’s the reason why it takes a long time to learn and why Phil Jackson prefers seasoned vets over young guns — and the intangibles as well.

The real key is simple — whenever a pick is set, the player in motion has the option to make a small curl towards the basket allowing him to take an easy mid-range jump shot. So, the players better be good at it. (Editors note: Think about how many times MJ did that.)

What The Lakers Have
PG: For starters, the Lakers have the guards with high basketball IQ and ability to read the game. They might not be the best at it, but they are pretty capable. Maybe they lack some consistent three-point shooting touch, but we don’t have a glaring need at the spot now. Farmar might develop really well into the system.

SG: Kobe. He should rely more on the play and use the picks more wisely with better shot selection. But hey, the man does have some skill. Evans is a decent backup, although his jump shot could be better. No harm done here.

SF: Luke Walton is the perfect triangle player. Nothing else needs to be said. Radmanovic should fit perfectly as a backup, if he ever understands the system.

PF: Lamar Odom is the biggest asset we have in this system. The PF spot allows the player to play inside when he has the advantage or to draw the defender outside if he’s physically stronger. Should Lamar convince himself of the bonus his versatility brings to the offensive motion when spotting up near the top of the key on the weak side and maybe the Lakers could reach higher levels. Turiaf brings intensity on both ends, which is more than enough.

C: Mihm is nothing but a great (one of the best backups offensively) backup. Kwame doesn’t have real low post skill. Bynum is not matured yet (third year leap coming, probably).

To read the posting in its entirety, go to:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2007/08/13/the-triangle-and-the-current-lakers/

Scouting Report: Francisco Garcia

Last season, guard Kevin Martin made a significant leap with the Sacramento Kings. After averaging 26.6 minutes per game and 10.8 points per game in 2006-07, Martin put up averages of 35.2 minutes per game and 20.2 points per game this past season. This year, the Kings are hoping that Francisco Garcia can make a similar leap in production.

Player Name: Francisco Garcia
Current Team: Sacramento Kings
Ideal Position: SF
Drafted: 23rd
Height/Weight: 6'7"/195
Birthdate: 12/31/81
Hometown: Bronx, NY
High School: Winchendon School
College: Univsersity of Louisville
Agent: Aaron Goodwin

Contract:
2005-06 $1,016,400
2006-07 $1,092,600
2007-08 $1,168,800
2008-09 $1,983,453 (Team Option)
2009-10 $2,885,924 (Qualifying Offer)
2010-11 $2,885,924 (Qualifying Offer)

Notes:
Nickname is the "Latin Assassin"; Younger brother died in December of 2003; Only current NBA player born in the Dominican Republic; Twice named to the Louisville Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for a GPA of 3.0 or better; Majored in communications at Louisville; Played basketball and baseball in high school; Participated in the 2005 FIBA America’s World Championship Qualifying Tournament held in the Dominican Republic as a member of the Dominican Republic National Team; Finished collegiate career ranked fourth in Louisville history in three pointers made, third in free throw percentage, eighth in blocked shots, and 23rd in points scored; Named to the 2005 NABC All-America second-team and Wooden All-American team honors; Earned First Team All-Conference USA accolades and was named as a member of the C-USA All-Decade team.

Strengths:
Great shooter; Strong interior passer; Great attitude; Has overcome a great deal of adversity; Provides great leadership and is a real team player; Versatility on offense allows him to be able to play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward; Has range on his shot and gets it off quickly; Excellent court vision; Great work ethic and passion for the game; Good shot blocker for a wing player; Tough; Scrappy; Willing to take the big shot.

Weaknesses:
Too thin; Settles for the jump shot too frequently; In-between game has room to improve; Not a high leaper; Turnover prone; Probably not quick enough to defend shooting guards, but not strong enough to guard many small forwards; Has had some foot and ankle injuries previously; Prefers to score off the dribble rather than catch-and-shoot.

Outlook:
Garcia is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and has great value to his team. He comes off as a great kid and a terrific teammate. Garcia's ceiling is the third scorer on a strong team. At this point, it looks like his strength will never increase, but he has shown that he is an above-average defensive player.

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From Intern to General Manager

On June 7, the Seattle SuperSonics hired Sam Presti as their new general manager. Presti became the youngest current general manager in the NBA at thirty years old. He also became the second youngest general manager in league history to Jerry Colangelo, who was 28 years old when he took the job with the Phoenix Suns in 1968.

Presti was born in Concord, Massachusetts. His career started in high school when he was the captain of the Emerson College basketball team. While at Emerson, he was a Rhodes Scholar candidate and the first in the school’s history. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2000 in communications, politics and law.

In 2000, he began his career in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. Presti began with the Spurs as an intern making $250 a week. After one season, he was named the team’s basketball special assistant. In September 2002, he was promoted to assistant director of scouting. The Spurs named Presti the director of player personnel in September 2003, and then became the Spurs assistant general manager in September of 2005.

Presti launched himself through the Spurs organization when he led the design and implementation of the Spurs scouting database, a system that is now being used by numerous teams throughout the NBA. He spent valuable time around great leaders like Avery Johnson, Danny Ferry, Steve Kerr, Terry Porter, Peter Holt, Greg Popovich, R.C. Buford, and P.J. Carlesimo.

Presti stresses his belief in team defense and strong character players. He also values versatile players, who fit into the team’s system. He has said that taking responsiblity for performance and effort is something that he holds highly.

During the first two months of his time with Seattle, Presti already has experienced a great deal. Seattle is threatening to relocate under their new ownership, led by Clay Bennett. He has also added Kurt Thomas, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, and Deltone West, while trading Ray Allen and their 2007 draft pick, which became Glen Davis. Additionally, Presti hired Carlesimo, who he worked with in San Antonio. Presti also allowed Rashard Lewis to leave for Orlando for a maximum value contract.

In a short time, Presti has begun to shape Seattle into the contender that the Spurs have been over the last decade. With Durant and Green leading the way, along with cap flexibility and future first round picks, the SuperSonics should turnaround their fortunes quickly.

GM's Use Data to Get Ahead

The Sports Business Journal published an article on July 30, 2007 by Matthew Marolda. Marolda is the CEO of StratBridge Inc. StratBridge provides data analysis and visualization products and services to the financial services industry as well as to more than 100 professional sports teams.

In "Effective digestion of information can elevate a GM's game" Marolda discusses the issues that general managers are faced with and how they can use data to get ahead.

To read the article, go to: http://www.stratbridge.com/news/pdf/2007.07.30.SBJ.RaisingaGMsGame.pdf

The Key to the KG Trade - Ryan Gomes?

On August 1, the Boston Celtics sent the Minnesota Timberwolves Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks, and cash considerations for Kevin Garnett. In this trade, Minnesota received four players under twenty-four years old, plus the draft picks, and Theo Ratliff, who's $11,666,666 contract will expire after this season.

This trade brings hope to both teams - Minnesota a chance to rebuild with promising, young players and Boston a chance to compete for a championship. Each player involved in this trade can be a major contributor for their team. In my opinion, Ryan Gomes may be the one to sway the winner of this trade one way or another.

Gomes is an undersized power forward, who is only twenty-four years old. He has a nose for the ball and excels at rebounding on the offensive end. He has quick hands and a great deal of strength. Being undersized, he gets in trouble when opponents post him up. Gomes scores plenty of points on hustle baskets. He has a quick release on his shot, but needs to improve his shot from mid-range and the perimeter. If he can improve his shot, then he will be able to stretch opposing defenses.

Gomes is a consistent player that would be beneficial to any team. He plays hard every night and plays at a high energy level. In Minnesota, he will be competing with Juwan Howard, Al Jefferson, and Craig Smith for minutes. With Howard on the decline and Jefferson the starters, Gomes could be the first reserve off the bench at the forward position. He should be able to provide the Timberwolves with the spark they will need as they look to rebuild.

Trading Gomes was surely difficult for Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics. Now with a depleted roster after the Garnett trade, Gomes would have been a perfect fit. Instead, the Celtics are very thin behind Garnett, with only Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Scot Pollard, Leon Powe, and Brian Scalabrine. Gomes is more skilled than each one of these players, and he would have either competed for starting minutes or been the Celtics' sixth man.

The Celtics could hope to bring him back after this season when his $770,610 contract expires. Until then, Boston will struggle to find someone competent to play behind and next to Garnett.

Scouting Report: Devin Harris

Last season, the Mavericks were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors. In order for Dallas to advance in the playoffs this season, Devin Harris will really need to improve on his game and become one of the league's top point guards.

Player Name: Devin Harris
Current Team: Dallas Mavericks
Ideal Position: PG
Drafted: 5th
Height/Weight: 6'3"/185
Birthdate: 2/27/83
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
High School: Wauwatosa East HS
College: University of Wisconsin
Agent: Henry Thomas

Contract:
2004-05 $2,741,880
2005-06 $2,947,440
2006-07 $3,153,120
2007-08 $3,995,003
2008-09 $5,297,374 (Qualifying Option)

Notes:
Named Second Team All-American in 2003-04 by AP; 2003-04 Big Ten Player of the Year; Only the second player in school history to start every game as a freshman, sophomore and junior; Broke Michael Finley's single-season scoring record with 624 points in 2003-04; Seventh leading scorer in school history; In his junior season, finished second in the Big Ten in scoring with 19.5 points per game; Named Wisconsin's "Mr. Basketball" in 2001, edging out Travis Diener.

Strengths:
Athletic; Quickness; Leaping ability; Explosive first step; Capable of taking opposing defenders off the dribble; Draws contact in the lane; Body control; Long arms; Court vision is above average and improving; Ball handling; Uses spins and crossovers well to gain separation from defender; Swift hands; Moving without the ball; Leadership skills; Decision-making; Solid passer; Unselfish mentality; Plays the passing lanes well to get steals; Work ethic; Penetration into the lane, especially when going right; Posting up smaller guards.

Weaknesses:
Upper body strength; Mid-range jumper must improve; Controlling the tempo of a game; Perimeter shooting can be inconsistent; Gambles too frequently on defense; Can get a little too carried away with shooting behind the three point line; Running an offense in a half court set; Sometimes takes ill-advised shots; Ability to create his own shot; Defensive footwork; Penetration to the basket going from right to left needs to be worked on; Mediocre rebounding guard; Finishing at the basket.

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