Another Morrison Makes His Mark
Every generation or so, history bestows upon us another great “Morrison.” The 1960’s gave us the Doors’ lead singer, Jim Morrison – arguably the greatest front man of all-time. In the 70’s, Toni Morrison made a name for herself as one of the most poignant authors in literary history. Around that same time, another rocker, Van Morrison, was climbing the pop charts with his soulful and stirring collection of songs.
As for the present time, history has given us another Morrison with extraordinary talents – Adam Morrison, Gonzaga University’s junior forward. While this Morrison may not be able to carry a tune or differentiate between a simile and a metaphor, Adam is simply the best college basketball player in the game today.
Through eight games, Morrison leads the country with a 28.5 points per game scoring average – nearly four points higher than the next guy (Duke guard J.J. Redick, 24.9 PPG). Morrison has already tallied three games with 34 or more points; in two of those, he netted 43. And this isn’t coming against weak competition.
With Ad-Mo leading the way, the Bulldogs (6-2) have already posted impressive wins over perennial powerhouses Maryland (where Morrison had 25 points, nine boards), Michigan State (sizzled for 43 points in a triple overtime win) and Oklahoma State (banked in a game-clinching three pointer with 2.5 seconds left). The ‘Zags only two losses were by a combined six points to UConn and Washington, two schools ranked in the top-ten.
Morrison is single-handedly responsible for Gonzaga’s solid start out the gate, and if the ‘Dawgs manage to pull a top-seed in the NCAA Tournament, No. 3 will be the reason why. Morrison is a threat both inside and out, he can create his own shot and is a nightmare to defend. Even with that horrific pencil-thin mustache (what are you thinking, Ad-Mo?), Morrison is the finest player west of the Atlantic Ocean.
Now before all you Cameron Crazies cry foul, hear me out. Yes, Duke’s All-American duo of Redick (47% from 3-point range) and forward Shelden Williams (19.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG) are both deserving of Player of the Year mention. But Redick and Williams both have something that Morrison does not – each other – which make playing the game much, much easier for those Durham dandies.
Morrison, on the other hand, doesn’t have one of the greatest perimeter shooters in NCAA history (Redick) to help spread a defense, or a dominant inside presence (Williams) to eat up space in the middle. Morrison is putting up incredible numbers night-after-night despite facing the opponent’s top defensive stopper, numerous double-teams and custom defenses who’s sole purpose is to stop him. Morrison faces more obstacles on a weekly basis than the entire cast of MTV’s The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, and has yet to back down in the face of adversity.
This is why Morrison is more of a threat than Redick, Williams, Illinois’ Dee Brown, UConn’s Josh Boone, B.C.’s Craig Smith, etc. This is why Morrison will join John Stockton as one of the two greatest basketball players to ever come out of Spokane, Washington. This is why Adam Morrison is the best hoopster in the NCAA, period.
Just as Jim Morrison, Toni Morrison and Van Morrison excelled in their respective arenas, Adam Morrison is excelling in his own type of arena, as well. And though this Morrison may not yet be a household name, he will definitely be the talk of the town come March. After all, every generation has a Morrison making waves.
