I wrote this diary about Adam Morrison earlier this year after watching one of his games.

But the Bulls need size so...

After watching him play this year at Gonzaga and seeing his interview outside the Berto Center, I am starting to like Morrison. He already is an emotional player and then he has chip on his shoulder since people say he's unathletic. If we didn't have Noc or Deng, and one of our need positions were already filled, I'd definitely like to take Morrison. That said, I don't think the Bulls will actually draft him. He plays at the last position they need to help. Seriously, I don't care who the Bulls draft. I like Aldridge the most, then Roy, then Thomas.

it's just me, but I'd rather have Redick than Morrison.

     It has been proven thru out the sporting world, more times than not, that size is the best way to match size, and weight is the best way to match weight.  Yes, in the constructs of team defense you should be able to guard anyone, but everytime you rotate to help a defender, someone gets left open.  I like Morrison too, but if you watched him alone on defense, the poor guy gets beat like a drum.  It seems like he overcommits(most of the time) on who he's guarding, reguardless of who he is defending (whether it's the 2,3,4 position), and doesn't have enough recovery speed to save himself.  It caused a lot breakdowns in gonzaga's defense (albeit not him alone).  It's hard for any athlete who has played a position in any sport, and say we need you to play a different position because we need to fill a hole on our team.  Joejoe we may not be able to agree on Morrison & Deng not being able to play the 2 defensively, but I don't think anyone can deny that Ty1 played pretty crappy most of the year as a 5, and Kirk play much better when he went back to the PG position.
     In another example, why else would boxing and wrestling be so careful to match opponents on weight, and incidently size often falls in to place based on weight.  Or what about a 6'3" 250 pound line backer having to line up against a 6'1" 180 pound wide reciever running routes.  Who's gonna win that match up more times than not.  As has been said before on this page, if you are going to draft a SF, you are going to have to think about trading Noce or Deng, and it should only be done if Pax thinks it is a significant upgrade.  Besides we already have a great shooter in Gordon who can't defend the two position.

Kaboom, I see where you're coming from regarding the size match-up debate, but remember that Skiles focuses on team-defense which means that individual perimeter defense can fall back and rely on the interior help.  

Granted, Chandler didn't defend the paint as well as the year before but if the Bulls take Morrison at #2 they can still afford to take Sene at #16 if he's still available.  That way adding another proven sharp-shooter as Morrison will only HELP Gordon stretch the defense and allow him to penetrate and kick.

It's hard not to visualize it, but just try it.  Sene and Chandler guarding the post for any clean-up misses, Morrison and Gordon sagging to the wings and Hinrich penetrating to the whole.  Now the defense will be caught in a gamble where they must choose either commit to the paint and defend against Hinrich's lay-up or stick closely to the perimeter to defend any kick-out to Morrison and Gordon.

Additionally, wouldn't it help if at the end of the game with less than 5 seconds on the game clock, you at least have two major scoring options on an in-bounds play?  The defense won't know whether Gordon or Morrison will take the shot.  

I'm a huge defensive advocate but in some sense we do need more offense.

Ahhh, indeed the thoughts of a wise man.  I can see that name that precedes you, truely does your reputation justice.  I too think that morrison could work in that reguard; however, I think that eventually Deng or Noce would have to go, either due to not being able to resign both(under the cap when we get to that point), or due to a lack of minutes at the three spot.  That being said, it wasn't a lack of offense that did us in against the heat, but a breakdown in dribble penetration (from Wade) and kick out threes.  As you eluded to before, adding someone like Sean helps to control the paint, and stops some of the inevitable dribble and kick penetration.  My only question is how is Morrison going stop anyone when he is constantly retaping his "broken ankles"?  The way I see it, with Morrison and Gordon on the floor, you do gain alot of points, but you do also give up a lot of points on the defensive end due to our vulnerability.  In the end, hopefully you've got more points than the other guy.  At least that's the way a number of teams in the western conference played for years and it didn't work for them.  I think the only reason Dallas even got to the finals this year is because they improved there defense inside and out...and of course a better coach.

Without a doubt, Dallas' improved defense gave them that ability to even go to the finals.  Then again the same can be said about Dallas' depth with Stackhouse coming off the bench.  

You know, the funny thing I just realized is that most defenders guarding Kobe, Lebron and Wade unintentionally foul them because off a simple pump-fake landing the unbalanced defender to make contact with them.  Think about this.  Adam Morrison's unathleticism might actually work in his favor GROUNDING him to the floor and not falling for that initial pump fake and one scenario.  

I'm not worried about Morrison's defensive liabilities because we all know he's a hard worker with heart which means he'll work to improve every facet of his game INCLUDING defense.  Besides Hinrich has done a tremendous job defending the opponent's best offensive player because again the NBA isn't necessarily built around size as much as it is around speed and quickness, which is why I thought we had a legit future with Eddy Curry because not only of his dominant physical size but his agility and quickness AS a big man.

In the end always keep in mind TALENT over SIZE/POTENTIAL because we've already reached that milestone of getting to the playoffs.  If Morrison is gone, it's a toss-up between Gay and Roy.  

Also, look at the Pistons this year.  Besides Flip the Script Saunders' lack of confidence as a head coach, the Pistons shot themselves in the foot because they couldn't make clutch shots and neither could the Mavs.  

Avery Johnson should've let Howard step out to the perimeter down the stretch of the game and force Wade to either give the ball up or to force another turnover.  Common pitfall of talented NBA head coaches in the NBA is all about SITUATION.  Hack-a-shack is only effective if done early and right in order to build a 5 point lead/advantage.  

Anyway, the point is, even if we select Morrison we could still have Hinrich defend the other team's best player such as Wade, Lebron and Kobe.  Not only will that work but it'll let Hinrich focus on two major things as a point guard: (1) distributing the ball (2) commanding the defense. You see time and time again Hinrich burns himself out from expending too much energy on the defensive end.  

For the point about Deng and Nocioni, we are fortunate to have these two guys because they can fill gaps where needed.  I wouldn't slide Deng over to the 2 but I think Nocioni and Deng MUST be in the line-up together at the same time which is probably best if they come off the bench.

Here's a projected line-up.

Starting 5

C - Sene  
PF - Chandler
SF - Morrison
SG - Gordon
PG - Hinrich

Bench

C - Elden Campbell? (we need a vet C)
PF - Songaila; AL Harrington?
SF - Deng
SG - Nocioni
PG - Duhon

Cut: Pike, Pargo
Release or trade: Allen, Harrington

DO NOT pick up: Ben Wallace

All very good points.  

From the videos i've seen, I was "blown away" as the Bulls claim by Sene's sharp learning curve.  You don't necessarily teach agility which is something he already possesses.  I agree with CRG's overall take on risk-assessment regarding picking big men so high.  The thing is it takes time to develop big men with potential which is why i'm teetering on the edge of whether or not the Bulls should pick Sene, Thabo or a proven big guard at #16.  

Foreign-born international players seem to have better fundamentals since they're taught to play the right way early on in their careers.  Why do you think Noc can read the defense so easily and cause charges?  Same thing can be said for Luol Deng.  Correct me if i'm wrong but Deng was born and raised up overseas with the guidance of Manute Bol.  Dirk? Foreign.  See a trend.

I'm just pointing out that foreign-born/international players tend to have sharper learning curves unlike our system here in the states which is systematic of the college ranks.  

Now here's the question.  Would you draft a big such as James Augustine at #16 or take Sene?  

Do some quick comparisons/analysis and then re-post.  The few solid big men that've made an impact in the NBA the last few years are Okafor and Boozer.  Nothing stellar.  What about Kristic from the Nets? Illgauskus?  Foreign big men.  Effective, yes?