Blazers interested in Anthony Morrow

Golden State restricted free agent Anthony Morrow has slew of interest, including Spurs, Celtics, Lakers, Blazers, Clips and Jazz, sources say.
-From AWOJ.

I wouldn't mind picking up another good shooter for less than the full MLE. Not sure if the guy plays any defense though, since none of the Warriors did last season.

almost 2 years ago thankyouforblaze 36 comments 0 recs |

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46% career 3 point shooter on 491 attempts

guy can flat out stroke it. Obviously, we’d be looking to play him as the 6th man behind both Roy and Batum. I could support this for sure.

Between Matthews and Morrow, it’s obvious we are committed to a non-Rudy future.

"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare

by douglast on Jul 1, 2010 8:53 AM PDT reply actions

Between Matthews and Morrow, it’s obvious we are committed to a non-Rudy future.

“We’re” also still committed to the youth movement. These are the right “kinds” of players to be targeting, but they are even less-experienced than Martell was

SMH

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah, not thrilled about that either

but at least Matthews has a year of proven results under his belt, and Morrow two. Give me that 100 times over a non-proven rook

"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare

by douglast on Jul 1, 2010 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

But Matthews played under Jerry Sloan

that matures you pretty quickly. He’s a pretty heady player.

That said, Morrow played under Nelson. I think he’s the anti-Sloan.

But I could still get behind Morrow.

by Row J on Jul 1, 2010 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

that matures you pretty quickly. He’s a pretty heady player

Matthews or Morrow can help win games during the regular season

what I was hoping for was at least one veteran who’s been in more than a few playoff games

sigh…looks like I’ll have to keep on waiting. Meanwhile, the meniscus between Brandon’s knee isn’t getting any fresher

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Wes Matthews is the same age as Martell

only one year younger than LMA. Granted, his NBA experience is limited, but he’s a solid contributor with about as much playoff experience as any of our guys except Dre and Camby. Morrow is a little more of a question mark, but he has enough talent to contribute off the bench. And I think, as the L*kers and Celtics have shown, winning championships is more about your starters dominating and merely getting solid contributions from your bench, which both of these guys seem pretty capable of doing.

by HailOden! on Jul 1, 2010 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

age =/= experience

Tony Parker had more final’s experience at age 20 than a lot of NBA vets have in their 30s (including Andre Miller, BTW)

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I feel for you, but maybe it's time to be more realistic?

Maybe we pull off a Parker trade, maybe we don’t. My thinking is that we don’t, and that’s based on the cost to get TP, other FA suitors that would want to add Parker to their new core, and a lack of strategy/organization on our part.

I agree with your statement about needing vets…however, I’m not sure many are out there to be had within our price range or with the experience that would make sense (experience in the playoffs vs just being old).

by LT Hutch on Jul 1, 2010 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Quick just said they're still interested in CP3

and they’re going to put on the full court press…Batum is not untouchable

we’ll see if Jason’s right, but that’s what he thinks they’ll do

Parker was told by Pop that he won’t be traded

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure I implicitly acknowledged that fact

Regardless, my other points still hold.

by HailOden! on Jul 1, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

the starters need to dominate, I heard you

but where’s the Lamar Odom on Portland’s bench? Marcus Camby?

a bench full of only 20-25 year-olds is not a recipe for final’s success, there should be a few greybeards mixed in there—they tend to not complain about their PT all year and their experience comes in handy in a close playoff game when one of your dominant starters has fouled out or tweaked his ankle

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

wesley has been farther in playoffs than any player on our roster except camby

what I was hoping for was at least one veteran who’s been in more than a few playoff games

Michael Jordan is the Nicolas Batum of America
marty>babbitt

by thomasikehara on Jul 1, 2010 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

well alrighty then

if he signs let’s make him the team captain!

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

why do you need to be experienced to be the “designated shooter?”

talent>>>>>experience.

by jksnake99 on Jul 1, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

not in the finals

there’s little point in explaining this to Bedgers when it doesn’t look like the Blazer’s front office gets it

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

shouldn’t you give some evidence to back up your argument, which runs contrary to what the folks who have actually researched this have determined?

by jksnake99 on Jul 1, 2010 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

the talent vs experience arguement

has been going on for ages, and will never be settled. my thoughts on it are this, extreme talent will over come any drawbacks that lack of experience might bring. But most NBA players are not that much more talented than the players they are playing against, so experience does matter. If the Blazers were to make the finals, then I would be more comfortable if they had some players who had been there before, or at least been on deep playoff runs before, vs going in with all rookies. however if you have the ability to get there, then you have the ability to win it regarless of what experience you may or may not have.

I don’t want the blazers to rely on Babbit or Williams or any other rookie to produce for this team this year, history tells me that they will not produce enough to improve the team. I would much rather the Blazers sign a guy who has been in the league for a bit, and has a proven track record of production.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Jul 1, 2010 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Experience matters to some degree. No question about it— players improve as they get older. However, if the Blazers were looking to add a shooter, they shouldn’t add a worse shooter because he’s played in a few more playoff games. That would be dumb.

by jksnake99 on Jul 1, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

not really

my evidence is 40 years of NBA observation. Did you watch the finals earlier this month? How many 20-25 year olds were running around out there in game 7

not many

It’s not up to me, I just observe that Roy isn’t getting any younger, and the roster isn’t getting any older. I thought I detected a trend last year when Miller, Howard and Camby were added for their expereince. That trend has shifted back to youth this offseason, and I can voice my displeasure just as well as you, when I think someone is dropping the ball up at Blazer’s HQ

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

The Lakers won because they were the best team. It had nothing to do with being the most experienced.

by jksnake99 on Jul 1, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

if you say so

I’d say they’re the best team because they have the most-experienced players…at winning playoff series, that is

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

BTW

their coaching staff has a lot to do with that, as well. Take away Phil and they lose a lot of their post-season edge

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 1, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

then why didn't the Spurs win the title?

"In fact you might say that Ugly is the Blazers' secret weapon this year."
-Dave
As for the Blazers...They are officially the NBA equivalent of a movie serial killer
-basketbawful

by Magnum on Jul 2, 2010 4:54 AM PDT up reply actions

wait... did I miss something?

Who is Matthews? Sorry for a dumb question.

Ryan Gomes: forever a Blazer in our hearts.

by musicdaniel on Jul 1, 2010 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Wesley Matthews

Undrafted rookie guard for Utah last year. Had a semi-breakout season and got a lot of minutes in the playoffs. Restricted free agent that there is talk of the Blazers throwing an offer to, kind of like we did with Millsap last year, but in the MLE/BAE range.

by Fuad on Jul 1, 2010 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

With Morrow, we would have a great pure three point shooter coming off the bench

We ought to try to get him. If we pick him up, and maybe re-sign Juwan again as an emergency center.

THANK YOU KEVIN PRITCHARD

Blazers fan since '91

"We are the black void. We are the red steel. We are the white sword. With ball in hand shall we reap the sins of this NBA and cleanse it in the fires of destruction. We are the Trail Blazers. The end has come!"

by rise_stand_resist on Jul 1, 2010 9:14 AM PDT reply actions

Matthews no, Morrow HELL YES!!!

Kenneth Lewis Moore

by lightskin350 on Jul 1, 2010 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

140 of 307 from the arc -- the dude's an assassin

by Fuad on Jul 1, 2010 10:06 AM PDT reply actions

One of the best shooters in the league

I’m interested to see how he’d do in a non Nelly-ball style offense.

"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."

by Arby on Jul 1, 2010 10:10 AM PDT reply actions

Honestly, if we pick up either of these guys...I'm really excited...

…should be an improvement over the inconsistent minutes Webster gave us…and we are DEEP this year…lol, again, if Oden stays healthy, lol, I know, I know, but honestly, if we sign a guy like this with our mid-level…and Oden stays healthy, this can be a championship team this year

1.) Miller – Bayless
2.) Roy – Matthews
3.) Batum – Matthews
4.) LMA – Camby
5.) Oden – Camby

Extra Ammo: Luke Babbitt….and a Rudy/Pryz trade should net us a pretty nice backup PF for our stretch run…

by irish3 on Jul 1, 2010 10:12 AM PDT reply actions

Morrow is one of my dream pick ups this offseason.

While bringing him in, would require moving Rudy, that is an upgrade to me. Morrow is a career 46% 3 point shooter, while Rudy is just under 40%. Neither play defense, and Rudy’s ability to start the offense is over blown. Morrow can be the deadly shooter this team needs off the bench. Pairing him with Bayless in the 2nd unit would cause defensive concerns, but since it is only for a limited time it can work.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Jul 1, 2010 10:18 AM PDT reply actions

Also...I admit I haven't watched Morrow much...

…but honestly, Rudy’s weight, footspeed, strength, and overall athleticism are really, really, weak…

…I’ve gotta think Morrow has the potential to be a better defender than Rudy, in large part bc Rudy comes across as one of the worst athletes you could slot in at the 2 spot…

…lol, I don’t even watch Morrow, but I’d be willing to bet he can guard the backup 2 & 3 spots better than Rudy can

by irish3 on Jul 1, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

More info on Morrow

he is 6-5, and about 210, and 24 years old. He is a decent athlete, but a great shooter, one of, if not the best in the NBA right now. He can spot up, or pull up off the dribble if a smaller guy is on him. He is aggressive on the offensive boards, sometimes too agressive, (this could be a GSW thing too) and he is not a good 1 on 1 defender. He could become a good team defender, or at least a passable one with time. As a shooter off the bench, a “microwave” type player, I can’t see anyone better suited than Morrow.

Players around the league like JR Smith, and Jason Terry have made good careers out of doing what Morrow can do, but Morrow could be better than either of them. As I already listed, Morrow is a career 46% 3 point shooter, with a ton of attempts. Terry is a career 38% 3 point shooter, and his best year was 43.8%, while Smith’s career percentage is 36.8% and his best year was 40.3%.

I would love to see Morrow playing about 20 mins or so off the bench, and getting up four 3’s a game, on a second unit that can push the pace just a bit.

Bayless
Morrow
Cunningham
LMA
Camby

that is a good 2nd unit to get a change of pace.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Jul 1, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions