Rex's report: Morris has no business in draft
Rick Bozich
Rex Chapman is not one of those extra-strength old-school guys who believe you have to do everything the way Dan Issel or Wes Unseld did things.
Heck, in 1988 Chapman left the University of Kentucky two years early and heard critics chirp that he was making a mistake. As a scout for the Phoenix Suns, Chapman argued passionately that Amare Stoudemire was the best player in the 2002 National Basketball Association draft.
Stoudemire was in high school. He also was the 2003 Rookie of the Year.
"My feeling is if you're ready to go, you should go," Chapman said. "But if you're a high school kid or underclassman, and you're not going to be a lottery pick, why are you talking about it?"
In case you're wondering, that question was directed at former UK center Randolph Morris, whose pride and inflated ambition trampled common sense Tuesday. How? Morris announced he was keeping his name in the draft.
Anybody who watched Morris labor to average 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman knows this move has career-killer written all over it. Even at 6 feet 10, Morris is no lottery pick. His name might not be called at all.
No moves
Chapman was in Chicago two weeks ago when top NBA personnel guys watched Morris in a private workout. He is a former director of basketball operations for the Suns. He has a sharp eye for talent. And Chapman, 37, said he would not draft Morris in the first or second round.
"In my mind, he's not a draft pick," Chapman said. "He doesn't have any post moves. He's not long. He's short. And he doesn't get off the ground.
"Where is he going to play? Most guys with a body like his have to play power forward in the NBA. Most power forwards his size have perimeter skills, which he doesn't have. Or they have to be athletic, which he isn't."
Of course, Chapman watched the same Randolph Morris whom UK fans watched last season. The one who grabbed fewer than five rebounds in 21 of 34 games. Rebounding is passion. Passion is a problem for Morris.
Basketball is serious business at UK, but it's serious business with a more expensive price tag in the NBA. Pro scouts rub their brows and look for the next big body when they see guys with marginal skills who have marginal enthusiasm for the game. That, Chapman said, is what he saw from Morris in Chicago.
"I was there for one private workout with (Memphis president of basketball operations) Jerry West and some of the top talent evaluators in the NBA," Chapman said. "(Morris) looked like he couldn't even fake it for an hour.
"It was like, 'I'm 6-9. I'm supposed to be a basketball player. But I don't necessarily enjoy it. I don't enjoy competing.' "
Between jobs
For the record, Chapman left his job with the Suns last week. He said he will use the summer to decide whether to pursue a full-time career as a TV analyst or as an NBA coach.
Believe him. He's not against underclassmen moving into the league. Chapman says University of Louisville junior Francisco Garcia will not slip to the end of the first round as many analysts are projecting. He believes UK junior Kelenna Azubuike is worth a second-round pick. Ditto for Indiana junior Bracey Wright.
"I love Francisco, Kelenna and Bracey," Chapman said.
But Morris?
"I can't imagine Randolph Morris being taken at all," Chapman said.
Rick Bozich
Rex Chapman is not one of those extra-strength old-school guys who believe you have to do everything the way Dan Issel or Wes Unseld did things.
Heck, in 1988 Chapman left the University of Kentucky two years early and heard critics chirp that he was making a mistake. As a scout for the Phoenix Suns, Chapman argued passionately that Amare Stoudemire was the best player in the 2002 National Basketball Association draft.
Stoudemire was in high school. He also was the 2003 Rookie of the Year.
"My feeling is if you're ready to go, you should go," Chapman said. "But if you're a high school kid or underclassman, and you're not going to be a lottery pick, why are you talking about it?"
In case you're wondering, that question was directed at former UK center Randolph Morris, whose pride and inflated ambition trampled common sense Tuesday. How? Morris announced he was keeping his name in the draft.
Anybody who watched Morris labor to average 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman knows this move has career-killer written all over it. Even at 6 feet 10, Morris is no lottery pick. His name might not be called at all.
No moves
Chapman was in Chicago two weeks ago when top NBA personnel guys watched Morris in a private workout. He is a former director of basketball operations for the Suns. He has a sharp eye for talent. And Chapman, 37, said he would not draft Morris in the first or second round.
"In my mind, he's not a draft pick," Chapman said. "He doesn't have any post moves. He's not long. He's short. And he doesn't get off the ground.
"Where is he going to play? Most guys with a body like his have to play power forward in the NBA. Most power forwards his size have perimeter skills, which he doesn't have. Or they have to be athletic, which he isn't."
Of course, Chapman watched the same Randolph Morris whom UK fans watched last season. The one who grabbed fewer than five rebounds in 21 of 34 games. Rebounding is passion. Passion is a problem for Morris.
Basketball is serious business at UK, but it's serious business with a more expensive price tag in the NBA. Pro scouts rub their brows and look for the next big body when they see guys with marginal skills who have marginal enthusiasm for the game. That, Chapman said, is what he saw from Morris in Chicago.
"I was there for one private workout with (Memphis president of basketball operations) Jerry West and some of the top talent evaluators in the NBA," Chapman said. "(Morris) looked like he couldn't even fake it for an hour.
"It was like, 'I'm 6-9. I'm supposed to be a basketball player. But I don't necessarily enjoy it. I don't enjoy competing.' "
Between jobs
For the record, Chapman left his job with the Suns last week. He said he will use the summer to decide whether to pursue a full-time career as a TV analyst or as an NBA coach.
Believe him. He's not against underclassmen moving into the league. Chapman says University of Louisville junior Francisco Garcia will not slip to the end of the first round as many analysts are projecting. He believes UK junior Kelenna Azubuike is worth a second-round pick. Ditto for Indiana junior Bracey Wright.
"I love Francisco, Kelenna and Bracey," Chapman said.
But Morris?
"I can't imagine Randolph Morris being taken at all," Chapman said.
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