This is a player that I thought might rocket up the draft boards when he announced his intentions to make the jump to the NBA. Right now he has not been moving up and is being mentioned at 30, but I think that is really underrating his talent.

With all the talk about Channing Frye lately, I really believe this guy is the better value. We're talking about a 19 year old player who is about 6'10-6'11 260 with a legitimate NBA strong body. He's a guy that as a freshman at UK averaged 8.8 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1 block in about 19.8 mins....a bit underwhelming, but he was a freshman and he also gave up a bit of time (not a lot, but some) to guys like 7'3 Shagari Allenye and 7'0 Lukas Orbzut.

Still considering that, he had 2 standout performances in the NCAA tournament. 11 pts and 12 rebs vs. Cincinatti which was an absolute key in that game, as he grabbed several rebounds late that helped Kentucky close that one out. He, along with CHuck Hayes kept Jason MAxiell in check...9 pts 4rebs. After struggling with foul trouble against Utah, he bounced back big against Michigan St., getting a team leading 20 pts in that game. Kelenna Azubuike, KU's leading scorer over the season, struggled in that game with only 9pts, and Morris' effort was a big reason they made it into over time.

The best part about Morris' game right now is that he can use his big body to draw fouls. He went to the line several times per game considering his minutes. He needs to get better than 61.5% from the line, but that is something all young players struggle with. He's also got a solid turnaround J from about 10 ft, and flashes some good low post moves. He has excellent hands and strength inside.

His knocks are a lack of an outside game, only slightly above average athleticisim and inconsistency. The inconsistency definitely has a correlation with his age. He's also only in the 6'10-6'11 range, but this guy definitely has a strong frame to compete inside ala Jamaal magloire.

You gotta remember, this player is only as old as Dwight Howard, who he played against in HS. Morris had 24 pts, 25 rebs and 7 blocks against Howard (Dwight did play well too...21 pts, 11 rebs and 8 blocks).

http://www.prepallstars.com/_wsn/page2.html

In sum I think this is a very good prospect, and one that I'd move into the late teens to get. IF he drops to 30, a no brainer. I'd much rather take my chances on this player than reaching for Frye in the top 10.

http://www.draftcity.com/viewprofile.php?p=32

[Edited by - VDesai on 06/11/2005 17:52:01]

Seems plodding & maybe a bit overweight.

Posted by purple012870:

Seems plodding & maybe a bit overweight.

Did you get a chance to see him at all in college? He played a pivotal role in Kentucky's run through the NCAA tourney as the starting center. He moves great for a center and moves great on defense. He can rebound the ball, block shots and has a pretty decent post game. He was only a freshman last year so theres definately room for him to still grow, he needs to work on his shooting and to get a postmove that he can rely on all the time. He's a great choice for the Knicks at pick 30.

I just wonder how a player like Morris could really slip to 30. 19 year old big men with his potential won't slip that far generally.

I wonder if we could trade up using the 30 this year and SA's pick next year for a mid first-early 20's pick.

[Edited by - VDesai on 06/12/2005 13:21:51]

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by purple012870:

Seems plodding & maybe a bit overweight.

Did you get a chance to see him at all in college? He played a pivotal role in Kentucky's run through the NCAA tourney as the starting center. He moves great for a center and moves great on defense. He can rebound the ball, block shots and has a pretty decent post game. He was only a freshman last year so theres definately room for him to still grow, he needs to work on his shooting and to get a postmove that he can rely on all the time. He's a great choice for the Knicks at pick 30.

he was also booed by Kenticky fans[his own] and also benched for giving poor effort many times during the season. Personally I don't see enough difference between Jackie Butler and Randolph Morris. I think we need a G badly, in fact it would be great to move 54 up and get 2 guards