'My head wasn't in the game'

[Brian McCat]

By Jerry Tipton
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
"My head wasn't in the game," he said after UK's 72-61 loss at Alabama. "Obviously, the way I came out early, it was a tough day for me getting myself ready to play."

When asked where his head was, Morris said, "I don't know. If I knew where it was, I'd have an idea of where to find it."

UK Coach Tubby Smith was at a loss to respond to Morris saying the game did not command his interest.

"What can you say?" Smith said. "I don't know how your head can't be in the game."


http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/16726376.htm

[DenCat]

Morris is slowly playing his way into a senior season. There is no way he is capable of playing with the big boys in the NBA.

[cbc317]

DenCat wrote: Morris is slowly playing his way into a senior season. There is no way he is capable of playing with the big boys in the NBA.
I can't even begin to describe how foolish Morris is. He could be working his tail off and possibly making millions, instead he is lazy, unfocused, and just plan apathetic....I actually am having a harder time rooting for this kid.

[SouthBeachWildcat]

I am at a loss for words. Something I wish Morris had been during this interview

[UKcat]

He better be working on his degree, with plans for a job after college; he will not be playing in the nba any time soon, if ever. The kid just don't get it; he obviously still thinks the world is standing by waiting for his star to emerge; fact is, the world is passing him by and he acts like he dosen't care.

Looks like his head is in a fog, if you ask me.

[RP_McMurphy]

Isn't it the coaches job to ensure their players minds are focused on the game? Shameful for both player and coach to have that statement said.

[UKcat]

The coach dosen't look like his mind is on the game either; maybe, therein lies the problem:shrug:

[katfever]

Lets hear it Tubby fans! All together now "That is not Tubby's fault!" Not only is Tubby not responsible for their shooting, playing offense or defense, freethrow shooting, he can not be responsible for motivating the players either.

[fatsnbul]

Is it safe to say that Tubby has lost certain members of this team?

[BigblueDrew]

A stunning interview. The kid has NO IDEA what the letters across the front of his jersey stand for. I hope the kid goes pro, with his attitude I don't want him wearing the blue any longer than neccessary.

[wildcatdon]

I hope morris leaves and the entire coaching staff...for him to make a statement like that to the press,shows more ignorance than one could imagine...we need a breath of fresh air that only a new staff and better recruiting will bring....Gracious God..!!!!

[Wildcatcrazy11]

I really don't think Morris is playing his way into much of anything in terms of basketball. He will not go pro any time soon with this kind of atttude and I sure as hell do not want him playing for UK if he keeps this up.

This kid represents the team right now in my opinion... you never know what your gonna get.

[Rockober]

The comments by Morris are disturbing butI believe Morris made a statement that he would retract right now. He had 8 turnovers and knows that you have to be totally in the game. He should have just said I played bad. We have to remember these players are just kids and they will make dumb comments in the heat of the moment.

The whole team has their head somewhere else. Tubby, the coaches and the players.

[Buck_Naked]

OH...MY...GOD...I almost threw the remote at the TV when I heard Morris say that on the 6 o'clock news. Darn good thing I'm not the coach, or Mr. Morris would find himself so far down the end of the bench it would take UPS to get a message to him! He's a piece of crap, plain and simple (and I've said that from his freshman season, so please don't accuse me of "bandwagoning").

[TrueblueCATfan]

Maybe come Tuesday night Morris's head needs to be on the bench

[catmandoo25]

katfever wrote: Lets hear it Tubby fans! All together now "That is not Tubby's fault!" Not only is Tubby not responsible for their shooting, playing offense or defense, freethrow shooting, he can not be responsible for motivating the players either.

Hey, contribute to the conversation or something. I cannot believe Morris said that, but players must also motivate themselves to some degree. It is partly the coaches job and partly the players job....both failed so no, it is not completely Tubby's fault. The blame lies with everyone for that performance. Don't come withcondescending BS toward other fans.

Tubby can't make them motivated....at some point, they have to come with it and execute what I know they have wroked on in practice and be ready to play.

[Classof93]

I think Morris looks to me as a 7 footer whom everyone has told he has to play basketball. I don't think he really enjoys the game. He plays it because he has been told his whole life that that is what he is supposed to do.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

BigblueDrew wrote: A stunning interview. The kid has NO IDEA what the letters across the front of his jersey stand for. I hope the kid goes pro, with his attitude I don't want him wearing the blue any longer than neccessary.

I agree. je doesn't appreciate UK's tradition and doesn't seem to care. If Morris going pro means getting Patterson (playing time), then see ya later!

I have heard, though, that Patterson doesn't play very hard- this may be attributed to watching OJ throw up 30 shots a game.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Flordia had a big man nammed Dwayne Schintzus (spelling?) Rick before the NBA draft, he told a reporter, and I'll paraphrase-

"When I sit across from a GM or a coach at an interview, I simply push "play" and watch a big smile come across their face".

Randolph is stupid if he thinks NBA scouts don't hear quotes like he made- just like Schnitzus, this big dummy is shooting himself in the foot!!

[Dwight Schrute]

Morris' head yesterday was where it's been for the majority of his career at UK - up his ***.

[Will Lavender]

What was shocking to me was how much credit Hammond and
Dean Jr. were giving Morris.

They repeatedly said that he was playing good basketball, but
he was clearly in la-la land from the opening tip.

That first half was one of the worst performances I've ever seen
out of Morris.

And the other guys weren't that much better.

How many times have we seen that kind of sleepwalking in the last
two or three weeks? We've REPEATEDLlY hit stretches where we
look like we would rather be anywhere else in the world than on
a basketball court.

If it happens consistently, then that's coaching.

Like you always hear: the team is a reflection of their coach.

[macdon]

Morris' head yesterday was where it's been for the majority of his career at UK - up his ***.










Took the words right off of my keyboard. He has had one game at UK that was played with any passion at all. Against Cincy in the NCAA.

[RP_McMurphy]

Problem is Tubby hasn't recruited any quality players to put into the game instead of Morris.

TrueblueCATfan wrote:
Maybe come Tuesday night Morris's head needs to be on the bench

[justford]

Has he been tested for A.D.D.:shrug:

[SGTWildcat]

If Morris cannot get up for a game, then he needs to sit and watch, as well as the other starters. I would rather see the guys who want to play out there, even if we get beat by 20.

Lets start Porter, Meeks, Stevenson, Woo and Coury. At least they act like they want to be here and play.

[Chunks06]

Buck_Naked wrote: OH...MY...GOD...I almost threw the remote at the TV when I heard Morris say that on the 6 o'clock news. Darn good thing I'm not the coach, or Mr. Morris would find himself so far down the end of the bench it would take UPS to get a message to him! He's a piece of crap, plain and simple (and I've said that from his freshman season, so please don't accuse me of "bandwagoning").
Youve said he is a piece of crap? Wow. Lazy, disinterested, etc. is fine. But piece of crap? I agree with classof93. Ive been telling people this whole season that I dont think Morris really cares much about basketball, not just UK basketball, but basketball in general. I think he sees it as something he HAS to do because he does have a gift. It wouldnt be right to his family if he didnt make them some money with his gift. maybe thats just my observation. Maybe he is just lazy. But Im not gonna call him a piece of crap for that. You are a piece of crap as far as I am concerned. We sometimes forget these are still just kids playing a game and because the kid says his head isnt in the game he is a piece of crap? Maybe you need to get your head out of your A** if you ask me.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Somebody explain to me this..for someone who head was NOT in the game ..he sure managed to have 8 turnovers and STILL get named Player of the Game

Who does this??? who picked him as player of the game.......it is BS

[katfever]

I was wondering why he knocked the ball out of the goal- it was a huge basket disallowed when the game was still close. :shrug:

[ukcatfan]

Can someone call in to the coaches show tonight and ask him about what Morris said!!!!

[tauzreborn]

justford wrote: Has he been tested for A.D.D.:shrug:
I was going to mention this weeks ago, but I felt it might be a little over-the-top. I am glad someone else sees what I do. Get this kid some aderal and see what will happen.

[tauzreborn]

JOHN BLUEBLOOD wrote: Flordia had a big man nammed Dwayne Schintzus (spelling?) Rick before the NBA draft, he told a reporter, and I'll paraphrase-

"When I sit across from a GM or a coach at an interview, I simply push "play" and watch a big smile come across their face".

Randolph is stupid if he thinks NBA scouts don't hear quotes like he made- just like Schnitzus, this big dummy is shooting himself in the foot!!

It is so funny you bring this guy up. I was at my friends house about a year ago and he had a set of coasters on the coffee table. All of them were Dwayne Schintzius basketball cards in their protective sleeves. Dwayne has the most glamorous mullet in NBA history and this collection of coasters was by far the funniest coffee table item I had ever seen.

[UKcat]

tauzreborn wrote: justford wrote: Has he been tested for A.D.D.:shrug:
I was going to mention this weeks ago, but I felt it might be a little over-the-top. I am glad someone else sees what I do. Get this kid some aderal and see what will happen.



Actually, I think it is L.O.D. ............. lack of discipline:idea:

[TrueblueCATfan]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Problem is Tubby hasn't recruited any quality players to put into the game instead of Morris.

TrueblueCATfan wrote:
Maybe come Tuesday night Morris's head needs to be on the bench

well that is something he will have to deal with ..but no one should be out on the floor if your head is not into the game..I do not care who you are.....these players need to start playing for the name of the front of their chest instead of the name on the back..:cry:

[ukfanman]

While "his head wasn't in the game", come Tuesday his head, along with his sorry butt would be parked at the very far end on the bench.

Some people are motivated by a little pine time. Others need to just be parked period.