Rookies Play Through First-Day Jitters
October 3, 2006

By LAUREN MOSKOWITZ
BobcatsBasketball.com

When the 18 Charlotte Bobcats players took the court Tuesday for the first day of training camp at UNC-Wilmington, everybody was grinning and high-fiving each other, anxious for practice to begin. The new season brings hope to the team, as they have the chance to start fresh and make a name for themselves during the 2006-07 NBA season.

After ending last season on a four-game winning streak, the longest in franchise history, the Bobcats are back, in shape, healthy and ready to make a push towards a winning season.

Nobody was more eager on Tuesday than rookies Adam Morrison and Ryan Hollins, the Bobcats’ third and 50th picks in the 2006 NBA Draft, respectively, who were participating in their first ever NBA practice.

“It was exciting. I couldn’t wait for training camp to start. This wasn’t like summer league,” Hollins, a 7-0 center, said. “This is the team, and it hits you. It spurs you on to want to play harder, and it gives you a united, team feel.”

“I was definitely ready to get started,” Morrison, a 6-8 forward, said. “I had a good time, and we had a good team practice today. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Both Morrison and Hollins agreed that this experience was similar to their first college practice, as in both situations they were the inexperienced players who weren’t familiar with the team’s routines and rituals.

“I felt a little nervous and a little apprehensive at times, but it was fun,” Morrison said. “I did feel like a freshman in college at some points, though, when I didn’t really know what was going on.”

“It’s the same feeling, but different circumstances,” Hollins said. “You don’t know what to expect. But in your first college practice, you are just trying to learn the game. Now, after four years of college, you should know the ins and outs of basketball. Now your job is to go out there, execute and try to learn the plays on the run.”

Being an NBA rookie has been a humbling experience for Morrison and Hollins, as they had grown accustomed to being leaders and go-to players for Gonzaga and UCLA, respectively. Now as rookies, they are seemingly back where they started.

But the veterans have always been willing to help out a newer teammate when necessary. Every NBA player has been a rookie at some point, so they understand the feeling.

“The guys are pretty cool, and they help me out when they need to,” Morrison said. “It’s nice, and I appreciate it. My goal this week is just to mesh with all of the veterans as much as possible.”

“The kid loves to play,” forward Sean May said about Morrison. “He’s a rookie, but he played three years in college. He has the ability, and he understands how to play. Offensively he still has a lot to learn, but he’s talented, and he’s going to play a lot.”

Hollins has high aspirations for this team, and he believes that they have the capability of reaching the playoffs.

“It would be great for the city of Charlotte and the organization,” he said. “It would really be taking a step in the right direction. I know for a fact that we are going to get better. We have guys that stick together, and having that winning attitude will carry over to each game.”

Even though Morrison has come in with more fanfare and expectations, Hollins is satisfied with his role on the team, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. His selfless attitude is one thing that makes him appear like a veteran player, instead of a rookie.

“I want to go in and push my teammates every day in practice,” he said. “If (Head) Coach (Bernie Bickerstaff) gives me a chance to get out there and play, I’m going to work hard and get better and just learn from all these veterans out here.”

Even though Morrison and Hollins are talented and look to be a force in the league for years to come, they are still rookies, meaning they are prone to making mistakes.

“They are rookies,” General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. “I don’t think we can get too enamored over a rookie at this point on the first day. They played well, but they played like rookies.”

But even though they make mistakes, they are still glad to be in a Bobcats uniform, and thrilled to be practicing with an NBA team – a lifelong dream for both Morrison and Hollins.

And even after a two-hour grueling practice which featured continuous drills and sprints, Morrison and Hollins were all smiles.

“This is it,” Hollins said. “This is the real deal. And we’re here to win.”