Morris' pledge to play out his eligibility

[DCWildcat]

In his apology letter to the NBA, Morris mentioned at the end that he was committed to playing out his entire eligibility at Kentucky. Why has this been largely ignored? If Morris is working as hard as he seems to be (he's <10% body fat for the first time in ever), he'll be the most dominant big man in the country by the end of '06-'07 season, and he'll still have another year to play. Rondo and maybe even Crawford will be long gone by then.

Is the underdiscussion because no one believes him, no one notices, or no one cares?

[Wildcat Larry]

I think that folks are in a "wait and see" mode right now since they've been disappointed by Randolph once already. It will take a little time for folks to buy the "staying as long as I an eligible" statement, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true.

I agree that it would be icing on the cake to have Morris in a couple of years. As for the discussion of such, I think this season is weighing on people's mind right now, so next year and the next just don't get much discussion.

And the apology was to the NCAA, not the NBA. I'm sure that was just slip, but thought I would mention it so folks won't be confused.

[TRexSmarts]

I think it's more of the fact that people are waiting to see Morris on the court first and see how he plays before they make any kind of judgement on if they fill Morris will or not. It was rumoredbefore Morris decided to test the waters that Tubby and him got into a little debacle about what he wanted Morris to do over the summer but Morris said he wasn't staying in Lexington over the summer because he was going home and work out there. So, Tubby supposely told Morris that when he comes back to Lexington, he needs to have loss some weight and come back in better condition than he already was or else he will be off the team. Like I said, this was only a rumor so I don't know if it's true or not.

TRexSmarts

[CrowdControl]

DCWildcat wrote: In his apology letter to the NBA, Morris mentioned at the end that he was committed to playing out his entire eligibility at Kentucky. Why has this been largely ignored? If Morris is working as hard as he seems to be (he's <10% body fat for the first time in ever), he'll be the most dominant big man in the country by the end of '06-'07 season, and he'll still have another year to play. Rondo and maybe even Crawford will be long gone by then.

Is the underdiscussion because no one believes him, no one notices, or no one cares?

The fact that SO FAR, he HASNT been that way... It is more like Ronald Reagan used to say... Trust, but verify. I want some VERIFICATION before I go further.

He is an unrestricted FA for the NBA now... the minute they come calling with million dollar contract... he could go... and he has no ... TIE to UK to make him stay.

That is the quandry. Most of us are like... show me... dont tell me... SHOW me.

[Mr. Peanut]

I just don't put much stock in these kinds of statements no matter what I think of the guy. Its what he's supposed to say... like a coach saying "I intend to stay at X school" even when everyone knows they are willing to consider offers, or any of the "default" lines players say after a game to media.

Its just what they are supposed to say. I fully expect that if the right offer came along, any of the guys would consider it... and they should.

[Kentucky Jim]

I think Morris' wants to stay and get that education. Do you all know what his GPA is? I do. He is a smart guy believe it or not, he just made a very poor decision during the summer. Now will he stay for the full 4 years, I don't know, that will be tricky as I think he will be dominating the do jo this time next year. He was really coming on strong on the NCAA.

I look forward to watching this season unfold first though.:cool:

[Ky Man]

I would love to see Morris around for 21/2 mores seasons. I would love to see him be a monster in the middle. But as much as Ky has worked to get him back, he would be a fool if a NBA team came calling with millions in their hand if he did not take it. Is there anyone on here that would turn it down to play for Ky. As much as I love UK , I don't think I would turn it down if I had my choice. A serious injury could take that away from him at anytime. Lets all just hope the NBA does not put him in that situation as to have to make a choice, if they do make a [millions] offer, I would advise him to grab it and run with it...

[Swimmer4uk]

i second that KY. Said that from the get go. As much as a disappointment to me that so many kids don't stay and play in the NCAA (i.e Lebron, Kwame)...there is no way i could pass up millions. that's why i never blamed Pitino. I hated it that he left...but come on...that much money? No question

[Will Lavender]

Swimmer4uk wrote: i second that KY. Said that from the get go. As much as a disappointment to me that so many kids don't stay and play in the NCAA (i.e Lebron, Kwame)...there is no way i could pass up millions. that's why i never blamed Pitino. I hated it that he left...but come on...that much money? No question
Comparing Rick Pitino, a guy who was already a millionaire, to some of these kids who jump because of REAL financial reasons is a little disingenuous, IMO.

[T75]

Morris can be as lazy and uninvolved as any player I've ever seen---he was for most of last year. I'd rather see him go ahead and go to the NBA (or wherever) when he wants to once again rather than have him hang around UK with that kind of attitude---and play.

[TheMadCatter]

As I said in another thread, I'll believe RM will stay until his eligibility is used up when he breaks through the hoop with his picture on it on senior day. There's nothing sinister in that, it's just not what I expect will happen. And if RM ever dominates like we thought he would be capable of doing when he got here, I'd think he was doing the right thing to go.

[Swimmer4uk]

ingeneous huh...

Well my point was that they all want to make money.Pitino's reasons might've been 2fold in that he wanted to try something new AND make money. And really i don't think icompared the 2, that's why i started my sentence in "that's why i never blamed Pitino." It was more of a sidenote

[Ky Man]

Joneslab, I agree with what you said about Pitino, but it seems the more they got the more they want, but do you agree with me on Morris...that if the NBA comes with millions in their hand that he should go?

[Will Lavender]

Ky Man wrote: Joneslab, I agree with what you said about Pitino, but it seems the more they got the more they want, but do you agree with me on Morris...that if the NBA comes with millions in their hand that he should go?
Yes. Impossible to turn that down.

[BigblueDrew]

I hope Randolph and Rajon stay the full four years. I have no doubt they will be better pros if they do. That said if somebody came to me and said when I was a soph orjunior in college to quit and come work for them for three or four million a year, I would have quit in a shot.

[Stucat]

Randolph Morris said that he would finish his eligibility at Kentucky. Somehow I believe him. Every once and awhile a person's word has to mean something. I hope Morris sticks to his guns and does what he said he would do and above all not read some of these message boards.

[samsdad]

I take what he said with a salt mine.

[phoenix]

My guess is that if KY wins a ring, and Morris has high stock in the NBA, Tubby himself will kick him out into the world. He has to be suffering a little shell shock, and maybe he and his parents recognize his lack of maturity. I am guessing he will stay until he has made some kind of statement on the court.

[DCWildcat]

Bump because I think this topic is still relevant for discussion 8 months later

[audacious1]

Personally, I hope Morris stays on to his senior year but the flip side is that having him here does adversely affect our recruiting, perhaps even more at the 4 than the 5.

[Spanish Moss]

Tre Pryor wrote: Personally, I hope Morris stays on to his senior year but the flip side is that having him here does adversely affect our recruiting, perhaps even more at the 4 than the 5.

Why do you say that?

[bluegrassking]

I hope he does stay all the way through and is part of bringing home #8, but I can't see it if he is offered a big contract.

I can't see how his being herehurts recruiting one bit. Other elite programs have multiple post player and we have just Randolph. That doesn't wash. There is plenty of PT for at least 2 more players of his ability here.

I'd say it would be tougher to recruit big men if he wasn't here because the weight of the world would be on that kid's shoulders. His being here is a positve all the way around with the possible exception of chemistry issues surrounding how he walked away from the team and how he returned.

[SunBaller]

I also hope Morris has a great year, but only selfishlybecause that will help UK Basketball have a great year. UK Basketball is my only concern. I do believe that ifMorris has a great year, he will get an NBA offer and will take it. His loyalties are to his family and hisGeorgia posse, not UK Basketball. By great year I mean he will have to average 20+ and 10 in allgamesto get a good NBA offer. There's no doubt he can dominate and pad his stats against the lesser, smaller teams, but he'll have to play great against the better, taller teams to get the good NBA offer.

[RCS]

No one in a major conference averaged 20+ points and 10 rebounds a game. The only ones who came close were Sheldon Williams at 18.8 points and 10.3 rebounds and Glenn Davis at 18.6 points and 9.9 rebounds. If Morris averaged 20+ points and 10 rebounds a game it would have to be in the top 2-3 best statistical years in UK history. If Morris averaged 18 points and 8-10 rebounds it would be a hell of a year, probably the best by an individual player in over a decade. Prince was SEC POY at 17 points a game. Bogans was SEC POY at 15.5 and neither came close to 10 rebounds a game.In the last 20 years the only UK player that averaged over 20 points a game is Mashburn and no one has averaged 10 rebounds a game.

Just for fun, probably the greatest single season by a player is Issels' 69-70 season where he averaged just under 34 points a game and 13 rebounds. Not sure any one at a major program will come close to that any time soon.

I still think there is a good shot Morris will be here his SR year. Maybe I am nieve.

[Will Lavender]

SunBaller wrote: I also hope Morris has a great year, but only selfishlybecause that will help UK Basketball have a great year. UK Basketball is my only concern. I do believe that ifMorris has a great year, he will get an NBA offer and will take it. His loyalties are to his family and hisGeorgia posse, not UK Basketball. By great year I mean he will have to average 20+ and 10 in allgamesto get a good NBA offer. There's no doubt he can dominate and pad his stats against the lesser, smaller teams, but he'll have to play great against the better, taller teams to get the good NBA offer.
You want dynasties. You call for guys to average 20 and 10.

As RCS says, who does that? Adam Morrison, the Naismith Player of the Year last season, did average 28 points. But only averaged 5 rebounds.

Shelden Williams, arguably the best big man in college last year, got almost 100% of the minutes at the 5 for Duke. He did average 10 rebounds. But he averaged 18 points.

You've got your standards set a bit too high, IMO. Your talking about things that are nearly unprecedented at the University of Kentucky.

We can have a very, very fine season -- a Final Four-type year -- if Morris averaged 15 and 8.

[Will Lavender]

For reference's sake, the last very good big man UK had, Jamaal Magloire, averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds in 1999-2000.

He was named SEC Player of the Year and went on to become an NBA All-Star.

[audacious1]

Spanish Moss wrote: Tre Pryor wrote: Personally, I hope Morris stays on to his senior year but the flip side is that having him here does adversely affect our recruiting, perhaps even more at the 4 than the 5.

Why do you say that?

Adversely affecting our recruiting? Just because when he's here, there's less available playing timeat the 4/5.

[bluegrassking]

Tre Pryor wrote: Spanish Moss wrote: Tre Pryor wrote: Personally, I hope Morris stays on to his senior year but the flip side is that having him here does adversely affect our recruiting, perhaps even more at the 4 than the 5.

Why do you say that?

Adversely affecting our recruiting? Just because when he's here, there's less available playing timeat the 4/5.

No way. There is plenty of time for two more stud post players. You need 2 starters and at least someone to back up both.

Look at college basketball. UNC, UConn, LSU, and Florida maintain and continue to get highly rated and quality frontcourt players. Look at what CryBoy Roy has been pulling in. Having Morris gives guys someone to work with and that means players can compliment each other.

Certainly, you canbuy at least that thereis plenty of PT for at least one other frontcourt player. Morris IS NOT the reason we are having trouble recruiting players of his ilk to play with him. The thought is farfetched in my opinion Tre, in this area it seems the rich get richer rather than the reverse.

[blueheretic]

Tre Pryor wrote: Spanish Moss wrote: Tre Pryor wrote: Personally, I hope Morris stays on to his senior year but the flip side is that having him here does adversely affect our recruiting, perhaps even more at the 4 than the 5.

Why do you say that?

Adversely affecting our recruiting? Just because when he's here, there's less available playing timeat the 4/5.
Excuses.

[Doug Hardin]

20 and 10 is the mark of a great NBA big man. If you adjust those numbers from a 48-minute game to a 40-minute game, it's the equivalent of 16.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg. You also have to figure that the NBA is a faster-paced game (24 second shot clock compared to 35), and college stats can be decreased a little more.

So I think if Randolph gets 15 and 8 a game, he's doing a helluva job, which would be comparable to the 20 and 10 mark that NBA PFs and Cs strive for.

[SamKat]

Just usinmg the 20% more time of an NBA team, Doug, it would take a 16.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg for a college player tobe the equivalent of 20 amd 10 in the pros. Your point is, nonetheless, valid IMHO.

[SunBaller]

Will Lavender wrote: For reference's sake, the last very good big man UK had, Jamaal Magloire, averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds in 1999-2000.

He was named SEC Player of the Year ????and went on to become an NBA All-Star.




SEC Player of the Year ???? First Team SEC maybe, but not Player of the Year. Only Prince and Bogans since the Pitino Era.

But your point is well taken. 20 and 10 is obviously an arbitrary figure, butMorris could never, ever get 20 and 10 or 17 and 8 (equates to 20 and 10 in the NBA)because he can't stay in games long enoughdueto his poor defense. If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.

[RP_McMurphy]

While I want him to finish his full term at Kentucky. The reality is that Kentucky can't base it's roster planning for 07-08 with him on the team. If he has a great season after working hard in the weight room this offseason I anticipate him leaving Kentucky after next year. By great year I mean 15-17ppg and 8-10rpg and playing big in the big name games.

[Will Lavender]

SunBaller wrote: Will Lavender wrote: For reference's sake, the last very good big man UK had, Jamaal Magloire, averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds in 1999-2000.

He was named SEC Player of the Year ????and went on to become an NBA All-Star.




SEC Player of the Year ???? First Team SEC maybe, but not Player of the Year. Only Prince and Bogans since the Pitino Era.

But your point is well taken. 20 and 10 is obviously an arbitrary figure, butMorris could never, ever get 20 and 10 or 17 and 8 (equates to 20 and 10 in the NBA)because he can't stay in games long enoughdueto his poor defense. If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.

Sorry. I was mistaken.

[RCS]

SunBaller wrote:

If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.


Then why doesn't any other McD AA average 20 and 10? I can't remember the last college big man in a major conference to average 20 and 10 so how can that be your standard?

I think if UK had any team at all they would average 110 points a game and go 35-1. Accepting anything less is just settling for mediocrocrity:rolleyes:

[SunBaller]

RCS wrote: SunBaller wrote:

If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.


Then why doesn't any other McD AA average 20 and 10? I can't remember the last college big man in a major conference to average 20 and 10 so how can that be your standard?

I think if UK had any team at all they would average 110 points a game and go 35-1. Accepting anything less is just settling for mediocrocrity:rolleyes:

Can you tell me how many 6'11" College Junior McDonald's All Americans have averaged 35 minutes per game?? There's a saying about Apples and Oranges, but it may be over your head. :rolleyes:

[AugustaDan]

SunBaller wrote: RCS wrote: SunBaller wrote:

If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.


Then why doesn't any other McD AA average 20 and 10? I can't remember the last college big man in a major conference to average 20 and 10 so how can that be your standard?

I think if UK had any team at all they would average 110 points a game and go 35-1. Accepting anything less is just settling for mediocrocrity:rolleyes:

Can you tell me how many 6'11" College Junior McDonald's All Americans have averaged 35 minutes per game?? There's a saying about Apples and Oranges, but it may be over your head. :rolleyes:How many 6'11" players in a major conference have ever averaged 35 minutes per game? I can't think of anyone. Shelden Williams didn't even average 35 minutes per game last season. That might be your point though, "My statement is vacuously true, therefore cannot be argued with."

[RCS]

SunBaller wrote: RCS wrote: SunBaller wrote:

If the 6'11" McD's AA Junior had the defense and stamina to stay in gamesin order toaverage 35 mins. per game, he should average 20 and 10 in college.


Then why doesn't any other McD AA average 20 and 10? I can't remember the last college big man in a major conference to average 20 and 10 so how can that be your standard?

I think if UK had any team at all they would average 110 points a game and go 35-1. Accepting anything less is just settling for mediocrocrity:rolleyes:

Can you tell me how many 6'11" College Junior McDonald's All Americans have averaged 35 minutes per game?? There's a saying about Apples and Oranges, but it may be over your head. :rolleyes:
What the hell are you talking about? Are you arguing that since no center in the country averaged 35 minutes a game, they don't average 20 and 10? Or are you saying no center in the country is good enough to average 35 minutes a game? There are 6-8 PF/C Mc AA ever year and none of them average 20 and 10 so why would that be your standard for Morriss? Glenn Davis was a JR Mc AA last year and averaged32 minutes a game. He did not average 20 and 10. You make zero sense, but not because it 'is over my head.'