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What to make of Adam Morrison 09.16.10 at 11:26 am ET
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morrisonDuring the Las Vegas summer league, representatives from the Celtics attended a workout for Adam Morrison, the former Gonzaga star who would rank as Michael Jordan’s biggest draft blunder if not for taking Kwame Brown first in 2000. The Celtics worked him out again Wednesday at their facility in Waltham along with Rashad McCants, Cuttino Mobley and Trenton Hassell.

Morrison came into the NBA with the reputation as a shooter, but he has never cracked 37 percent from the floor in his three seasons and hasn’t even seen much playing time since his disastrous rookie year. Morrison was traded to the Lakers for Vladimir Radmanovic and barely saw the court.

To date the Celtics have not so much as issued an invitation to Morrison, or anyone else from Wednesday’s workout, but they are clearly not done tinkering with the roster.

When Tony Allen left for Memphis, Danny Ainge moved to shore up the wing by re-signing Marquis Daniels and coming to terms with Von Wafer and Delonte West. The contracts for Wafer and West are not fully guaranteed, which leaves an opening for an actual competition in training camp. (You can throw Oliver Lafayette and Tony Gaffney into the mix as well).

At issue is the backup small forward slot behind Paul Pierce, which was also an issue last year and the year before that. Daniels has the inside track for the job and rookie Luke Harangody could also work into the rotation provided he can make jumpers and play defense at an acceptable level.

But the Celtics lack size at the position and have a general need for shooting everywhere off the bench. That’s because Doc Rivers is already envisioning a second unit that can work off Shaquille O’Neal’s work in the post.

Like Morrison, McCants has been a first round bust, albeit one with a strong college track record. Hassell has more experience and just finished a very generous long-term contract granted by Kevin McHale when he was with the Timberwolves, but he is known more as a defender than a shooter.

Of the four, Mobley is the most intriguing. He enjoyed a long and underrated career as a top-notch scorer for the Rockets and Clippers. Mobley was traded to the Knicks in late 2008, but he retired with a serious heart ailment. In June, Mobley told the New York Daily News that he was contemplating a comeback.

It’s not clear what Ainge’s intentions are yet, but with the start of training camp looming at the end of the month, it does appear that he’s continuing to look for the right pieces.

Read More: Adam Morrison, Cuttino Mobley, Rashad McCants, Trenton Hassell Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Herb Stockman

    Morrison never received a chance in L.A. He was never considered one of the cast members. It was obvious watching the games, the other players reaction to him as well as the coaches reaction.

    The players in Boston don’t react that way, they encourage and help the newcomers and make them feel comfortable being on a celtic TEAM. I feel if Morrison is given the chance and able to play strong minutes he will definatley help the celtics. He is very confident in his shooting abilty, however, that confidence has to be instilled in a coach that believes in that ability. This wa not the case in L.A., but Doc Rivers is the type of coach that can bring out the best in his players, because the players always are trying to help each oher…

  • Joer

    Bobcats were perfect spot for Morrison to land when he was drafted. What other teams could have given him playing time? Clippers, Nets, Knicks, etc.. He ends up like Darko from Detroit who was drafted #2 and sat on a championship Pistons team with no contributions.

  • Hugh_Jass

    Court side seat every night to a Lakers game and a salary of 5 million ? Morrison had it goooood.

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