Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick watch: the preseason hurts

Morrison, who was having a decent preseason, is likely gone for the year with a knee injury.

The injury occurred with about 5½ minutes left in the third quarter of Saturday night's 113-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Morrison was attempting to defend Luke Walton on a drive to the basket and crumpled to the floor in severe pain while clutching his left knee.

"Our medical staff has had a chance to review the MRI, and they're saying right now they believe there is some sort of tear," coach Sam Vincent said Sunday, about an hour before the Bobcats took on Phoenix in the second day of the annual Staples Center shootout.

"Until they get in there and do whatever they do, who knows? But they are saying there's a good chance he will be out for the year. So I'm not counting on him playing," Vincent added.

Redick, touring in China, didn't fare so well either.

Redick, who is vying for major minutes after playing sparingly as a rookie, twisted his ankle Wednesday in the first game against Cleveland and struggled staying with Larry Hughes defensively. Making matters worse, Redick's usually reliable three-point stroke was off.

He made just one of six shots Wednesday against Cleveland, had two turnovers and was yanked by head coach Stan Van Gundy twice for defensive lapses. On Thursday, he again struggled to find the range, missing seven of nine.

In the first two games, Redick made just one of seven three-point shots. That's why Redick was in the arena early Saturday, shooting three-pointers 2½ hours before the game.

Van Gundy said that Redick is pressing because of his desire to be in the rotation, and he thinks Redick's twisted ankle is bothering him more than he's letting on.

Adam Morrison and J. J. Redick Watch: summer league wrapup

Adam Morrison is "on the hot seat," The Charlotte Observer reports. The new-look Bobcats just may be headed to the postseason, especially if Morrison can provide more consistent play.

John Denton is impressed by Redick's play in the Orlando summer league.

After playing his fifth game in five days, Redick opened up his arms and examined the dozen or so scratches on both of his arms. It looked as if he had just wrestled a cat -- and lost.

Orlando, especially new coach Stan Van Gundy, was eager to see just how tough Redick was, and he passed the test this week with flying colors.

Repeatedly knocked to the floor and roughed up by opposing guards, Redick kept on firing. He led the league in scoring (19.8 ppg.), while also averaging almost four assists a game.

His legs tired as the week went along, causing his shooting percentage to dip badly. But after scoring 30 points in the opener and displaying some gritty toughness, Van Gundy announced that Redick could most certainly challenge for the starting shooting guard job for the Magic next season.

Denton points out that Grant Hill's absence is largely what would give Redick the chance to start.

Potential starter with "gritty toughness." Not what you expected, eh, Charley Rosen?

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: summer league, 2007

In the NBA's summer action, Morrison's been fine offensively, but, just like last year, has defensive shortcomings. Mike Schmidt writes,

With the added space of Sam Vincent’s offense, it will be much easier for Morrison to create scoring chances this season.

Defensively, Morrison pressured his man well on the perimeter, but struggled with the quicker Thabo Sefolosha off the dribble. [Defense] will probably never be a strength for the former Gonzaga stand-out, but you would like to see a better effort from him in this area.

Redick is tearing it up, reports John Denton:

A day after torching New Jersey's summer league team for 30 points, Redick showed more of his all-around skills Tuesday in the Magic's 88-65 whipping of Indiana. He scored another 17 points, but more impressively worked his way to the free-throw line seven times, corralled five rebounds and set up his teammates with six drive-and-kick assists....

His season high with the Magic this past season was 16 points, but he had more than that (18) by halftime Monday. Magic GM Otis Smith and new coach Stan Van Gundy are well aware that Redick can score from almost any spot on the floor, but they are watching this week to see whether he can defend well enough to contend for the starting job at shooting guard next season.

J.J. Redick Watch: April 28

Redick has held down the bench in the first three playoff games against the Pistons.

Orlando is 0-3.

Coincidence?

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: April 15

Bothered by an injury, Redick sat as Orlando, relieved and a bit lucky, marched into the playoffs. Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel notes that J.J. feels he hasn't yet given the Magic his best:

This summer, he plans to hit the weight room -- he says his bench press is up from 185 to 230 pounds -- more than ever. Redick will play for the Magic's summer-league team and for Team USA "as long as my invitation is still good."

"I'm going to put pressure on myself this summer," he said. "I'm going to put in the work. I can't predict where I'll be, but I know I'll be a better player.

"I'd give myself a 'C' this year. Some say I've had a disappointing year. I say average. And I never want to be average."

That would make it disappointing, right?

In other news, yesterday Adam Morrison sat due to his own injury issues, while his partner in lengthy locks, Walter Herrmann, stepped it up and dropped 30 on the hapless Bucks.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: April10

Not much new for J.J.--and really shouldn't be much new for Adam, who sat in the last game with a sprained knee. But all that seat time got him in $25,000 worth of trouble:

... Morrison was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for making an obscene gesture to a fan during a game in Miami....

Morrison said he was being heckled throughout the game.

"I've got to learn to take it, I guess, but I think the guy went over the edge a little bit, calling me 'white trash' over and over again," said Morrison, who also sat out Tuesday's game against Miami. "I reacted naturally and I made a mistake. I hurt the organization and the team. I'm sorry about it and it will never happen again."

Sticks and stones, Mr. Morrison. Sticks and stones.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: April 8

It's been a while since I examined the fortunes of Morrison and Redick. In the interim, the Bobcats nearly crept back into the playoff picture, seven games behind the Magic, who cling to the eighth spot despite some tough recent losses.

Morrison dropped 9 in a loss to the Pacers, going 3-3 beyond the arc but missing six other field goal attempts. (He suffered a knee sprain, but should be back today.)

Meanwhile, Redick scored 6 in a win over cellar-dwelling Memphis, proud owners of the worst record in the NBA.

Now, the comparison. Morrison's averages actually are worse than Redick's, given that he's playing roughly double Redick's minutes. Redick's shooting percentage and 3-point percentage (.400 and .375) are better than Morrison's (.376 and .337). Redick, averaging 6 points per game, plays 15 minutes to Morrison's 30, while the Montana Monster scores 11.9 per contest.

The difference, though, is the quality of their playing time. Morrison has started 23 games, while Redick mostly gets the call during junk time. Morrison has also played 77 games to Redick's 38. I wouldn't be surprised to see Redick traded or back in the benchwarming role next year, while Morrison has a decent chance to become a consistent starter.

Update: Because of the sprain, Morrison didn't play, but the 'Cats won. The more I follow them, the more I think that next year, with the right draft choices and a lineup free of injuries, Charlotte could disrupt the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: March 10

Morrison and the 'Cats lost to Memphis in a battle of the big losers, 115 to 107. Morrison stunk. Charlotte is now 0-8 without big man Emeka Okafor.

Orlando spent the day trying to recover from last Thursday's drubbing by Chicago. Redick played 16 minutes and scored 3, not accomplishing much--but then, neither did his teammates, putting up only 76 points. Orlando's playoff hopes are sinking like a dead lobster.

Update 3/11: With a big loss to Houston, the lobster plows toward the Marianas trench.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: March 7

Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa were too much for Morrison and Gerald Wallace, who both scored 22 as the 'Cats fell to the Suns in overtime. I get the feeling sometimes that next year, if they can stay healthy, the Bobcats are going to be fun to watch. They might even win a few games.

Redick hasn't made much of a splash lately. Orlando, though, is on the cusp of a do-or-die situation, starting with a game against hot-or-cold Chicago. The Magic are clinging to the 8th seed, a game back of Indiana and a half game ahead of New Jersey.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: liveblogging the homecoming

For Adam Morrison, that is--although the fact doesn't even merit a mention in the Times preview. (Redick's squad's race to the bottom continues.) No fear, Adam: I'm right here, ready to liveblog your gangly return to the Evergreen State.

5:45 Prediction: Morrison, glad to be playing in front of a friendly crowd, scores 30. Ray Allen's surprise reentry to the lineup, though, means the Sonics win in a romp. Or a blowout. Or a walk. Or a snoozefest. You choose.

5:51 "The pride of Mead High School" says his rookie year has been "good so far" as the camera spotlights the "Welcome Back Adam" sign and shows live-action Adam schmoozing with fans. Morrison, while chatting, chews cud like a sleepy steer. Lesson, kids: when on camera, talk with your mouth empty.

I hope that Morrison's excuse for hirsuteness is that he's donating his hair and mustache to Locks of Love.

5:57 Morrison, so long ago, was a clean-shaven lad.

5:59 Bob Hill says Morrison is talented, but needs to work on his game. Bob Hill is talented, but needs to work on his coaching.

6:20 Bickerstaff leaves Morrison on the bench to start the contest. This will be an epic decision--and brilliant. The Sonics, lulled into complacency by the move, will be shocked by Morrison's entrance and fall to the court weeping when the Big Sky Big Boy takes it to the hole. 9-6 'Cats.

6:23 Morrison misses his first shot. False sense of security. Promise.

6:25 Morrison defends either Lewis or Collison, and looks overmatched against both. So far, turnovers are the Bobcats' worst nemesis. Three bad passes and a travel. 11-11.

6:27 His first basket is ungainly, off a rough dribble, just like the old days. He looks more comfortable shooting when he's uncomfortable in the offensive set. Go figure. 17-13 'Cats.

6:30 His second basket is the same ungainly affair from the left side. Step back, nail it, call the foul. 19-13.

6:39 At the end of the quarter, Morrison leads the 'Cats with 7 points. The Sonics are behind 27-23. All my predictions will still come true. Just wait.

6:45 Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats crashes into a little kid wearing an Adam Morrison jersey, making him (the kid) cry. The Sonics' lackadaisical defense makes me cry.

6:54 The Sonics have regained the lead. Morrison, coincidentally, hasn't seen the ball in a few minutes. Everyone else on the 'Cats is stone cold--and they'd be in a bigger hole if the Sonics weren't cold as well.

6:56 Morrison gets the ball, cans a three. 32-32.

6:56 And then gives up a rainbow to Ray Allen. Mismatch of all mismatches. Allen again for three, and it's 37-32 Sonics.

7:00 Trading baskets. Ray Allen is a man afire. 7-10 so far. Wallace cleans up a Morrison mess. 39-36 Sonics.

7:02 A couple fast breaks and a power stuff by Lewis take the Sonics to 43-36. I'm going to leave off here while my prediction is still sound--the wife is home. I'll come back for analysis in a little while.

7:49 Quick check-in. Allen cooled down (he was bound to) and Lewis stepped up, but so did Gerald Wallace, and the Cats have tied it with 3:00 in the 3rd, 65-65. Morrison has ten.

7:52 When I counted on the Sonics to win it in a romp, I didn't factor in Fabio.

10:12 I skipped the rest of the second half to watch Pulse, the Japanese borer film. In the meantime, Ray Allen ruled, the Sonics won, Morrison sort of disappointed, and the world did not self-destruct as the Internet made us all become suicidal disappearing zombies.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: non-Leap-Day

Morrison chilled in the worst way, going 0-5 from beyond the arc and 2-11 overall, ending with six points as the injury-riddled 'Cats choked in Sacramento.

Redick chilled in the next worst way, watching from the bench as his team lost to the Nuggets. (No matter how good the Nuggets are, you're still losing to a euphemism, always mortifying.)

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: Feb. 27

Last night, Montana's Mop Top dropped 15 as the 'Cats fell to the Clippers.

In the Windy City, J.J. Redick sat in stillness on the bench as Orlando beat the Bulls to snap a six-game road losing streak. (Over in Orlando, some fans are calling for more playing time.)

Adam Morrison and J. J. Redick Watch: Feb. 24

Yesterday I noted that both Orlando and Charlotte stayed out of the tradebath--as did nearly every singe NBA franchise. Thus, Bill Simmons is apoplectic.

The dish on Charlotte:

CHARLOTTE: F
The only team with enough cap space to facilitate a three-team deal (where they'd absorb a big contract and pick up a No. 1 for its troubles) ... and naturally, it didn't do anything. For instance, let's say the Knicks wanted to get Vince from the Nets for Jamal Crawford and Channing Frye, only the Nets didn't want to take Malik Rose's contract back. Charlotte comes in and says, "We'll take Rose ($7.2m per, expires 2008) if you take Othella Harrington back ($2.2m per, expires 2008) if you gave us $3 million and Chicago's 2007 No. 1 pick." So the Nets get 80 cents on the dollar for Vince (Frye and Crawford, an underrated player with a reasonable deal); the Knicks make a huge splash with Vince; and the Bobcats pick up a No. 1 in a loaded draft. Everyone wins! Again, probably too logical of a scenario for this league.

I should point out that an "F" is a relatively high grade in Simmons' analysis. Cleveland bottomed out with a "Z-infinity-minus."

And Orlando:

ORLANDO: F-minus-minus-minus
I like Otis Smith's philosophy here: We don't own a 2007 No. 1 pick, our team is sinking like a stone, we have Grant Hill's expiring deal ($16.9 million) to move for an asset and save our season, we desperately need scoring ... screw it, let's stand pat. Hey, that's one way to keep your job -- just don't do anything. How can the Magic fire you if you don't do anything? I'd like to see how long Otis could keep this strategy going -- Orlando's owners probably won't catch on for another 2-3 years.

Meanwhile, apropos of Adam Morrison:

TORONTO: A-plus
Now here's a guy who knows what he's doing: Bryan Colangelo. And yes, I'm quietly rooting for the Raps, who have the most rabid fans of anyone in the league. I get at least five angry e-mails every day from Toronto about (A) the fact that I dismissed their playoff chances two months ago (you're right, it was a mistake), (B) the fact that I killed them for taking Andrea Bargnani over Adam Morrison (you're right, big mistake, Bargnani is good with a nasty streak), and (C) the fact that I killed them for the T.J. Ford-Charlie Villanueva trade (the jury's still out on that one). You can stop e-mailing me. I like your team. I was wrong. OK? I was wrong! LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU BRYAN ADAMS-LOVING FREAKS!!!!

Tonight, Morrison met the Raptors, and the Raptors came out on top.

It's conceivable that Charlotte could make the playoffs, since they're only five games back of Orlando and Miami, tied for the last spot in the East. Scary.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: Feb. 23

Morrison scored 19 (3-3 beyond the arc) as the Bobcats embarrassed Philadelphia.

Morrison, who scored 26 points in Charlotte's come-from-behind win in Minnesota on Wednesday, had two quick buckets to start an 11-2 run at the beginning of the second quarter as Charlotte built a 39-22 lead.

In the post-Iverson era, Philly is 13-19.

Redick sat as Orlando lost. Story of the Magic season.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: Feb. 21

Quick update: in their first action after the break...

Morrison dropped 18 on 4 of 5 three-point shooting as the 'Cats beat the Hornets.

Redick played just 4 minutes in Orlando's loss to the Knicks.

Incidentally, ESPN's enlightening Trade Machine said I couldn't trade Redick for Morrison straight up. Orlando has no cap space.

Evening update: Morrison came out cold, but heated up in the second half, scoring 26 as the 'Cats leveled the Timberwolves.

Redick, on the other hand, saw limited time as the Magic continued their descent into mediocrity.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: Feb. 19

In this post-All Star Breakdown by Marc Stein, two noteworthy omissions. First, in his principiante del año predictions, I see Brandon Roy, Steve Novak (?), Andrea Bargnani, and Randy Foye.

Hello? J.J. Redick, anyone?

Just kidding.

No Morrison, no reason. Meanwhile, no Redick in the trade rumors, which is too bad. J.J. deserves a chance to play everyday on a team that actually needs him. Until then, his also-ran / has-been status is up in the air.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: Feb. 17

Last night Morrison (and the other rookies) got torched by the sophomore class, 155-114. The greenhorns allowed 74.7% shooting, which pretty much means they stood around with their hands on their temples, squinting and willing the ball into the basket, come-on-you-can-score-on-us. To his credit, Morrison scored 16.

Elsewhere, ESPN runs down Morrison's struggles on the road.

"It's a mental thing. I feel like everybody expects me to make
everything," Morrison said of playing at home. "The fans have been great, but some of the expectations and some of the stuff I hear when I'm going up and down the court at home, it feels like I'm on the road."

The numbers back him up. Morrison, who scored eight points on 3-for-5 shooting in Charlotte's 100-85 home win over Chicago on Wednesday, is averaging less than 11 points and shooting a little more than 33 percent in 26 home games. Morrison is averaging 14.3 points and shooting 41 percent in 26 road games....

Morrison, who averaged a nation-best 28.1 points a game last season at Gonzaga, has struggled with inconsistency. He has 10 games of 20 or more points, but has reached that total only once in the past 22 games. Morrison has failed to reach double figures in five of his past six games....

Bickerstaff thinks Morrison, listed at 205 pounds, is being hurtby a lack of upper-body strength.

"We've got to get him in the weight room. He needs to do that," Bickerstaff said. "He has the mental courage, but you've got to have something to back it up."

Morrison vows to get stronger in the summer, and he remains confident he'll be able to become the consistent scorer the Bobcats counted on when they drafted him.

As Morrison absorbed another loss and meditated on his prospects in the second act, Redick stayed home and played canasta, biding his time and chuckling ominously.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: February 10

Royce Webb calls Adam Morrison's season to-date "catastrophic," and blames the gangly rookie for ruining his teammates' season. Evidence from last night:

Brandon Roy had 15 points for Portland and won the battle with Adam Morrison in the first matchup of the league's top-scoring rookies. Though Roy shot just 5-of-13, Morrison had only seven points on 3-of-12 shooting for Charlotte.

Charlotte lost.

On the other coast, the Magic won it in dramatic fashion on a Dwight Howard dunk, while Redick made some key contributions:

Magic rookie J.J. Redick added a season-high 16 points, including a critical three-point play in the final minute.

"That was just freak athleticism," Redick said of Howard's play. "We've all seen spectacular lobs and dunks, but I told him after the game: 'Dude, I've never seen anything like that in that situation.'"

Is it just me, or does Redick sound like a total noob?

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: February 3

Morrison put up 14, but the shorthanded 'Cats got smoked by the Cavs.

Redick matched his rookie best with 13 points as the Magic spanked the Nets. Redick's recent bright spots (and overall woes) are discussed here. According to his coach, he just needs to pull the trigger on instinct, to be the shooting guard he was destined to be.

Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick Watch: halfway home

Picking his rookie of the year so far, ESPN's John Hollinger writes,

Adam Morrison? Please. If Bobcats games were nationally televised, his awfulness would be more well-known.

Greg Anthony is a little more optimistic:

Even though he hasn't shot the ball the way some would like (37.7 FG percent), he's been pretty solid playing 33 minutes a night and averaging 13.5 ppg.

I think his confidence is getting better. He's playing a lot of minutes and, unlike Bargnani, was expected to contribute immediately. Overall he has good basketball instincts, so I think he will continue to grow in his game.

Meanwhile, J.J. Redick is still gunning for a shot on the Surreal Life. Not much else he can get at this point.