Backstage With Bernie: Draft Day
June 28, 2006

Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff shared his thoughts on selecting Adam Morrison with the third overall pick and Ryan Hollins with the 50th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

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(On taking Adam Morrison with the third pick) This is probably the most agonizing draft that I’ve been a part of just because of the talent that was involved and the character of the young men who were involved. It came right down to the wire in terms of us making a decision about the player. We are very happy with Adam. We think he is a guy at this point in time who is ready to step into the NBA and contribute to an NBA team. He fits the personality of our basketball team. We’ve had the addition of two competitors, first Michael Jordan and now Adam Morrison. So that’s our profile, and he fits our profile.

I think I’ve been very consistent. We talked about (Andrea) Bargnani, (Rudy) Gay, (Brandon) Roy and Morrison. I think I’ve been very consistent in those four guys.

(On what he likes about Morrison’s game) I’d say his ability to move without the ball, how he competes, his ability to get the ball and bring it down court, as well as shooting the basketball. We need perimeter production. I think compatibility with Raymond Felton and Brevin Knight, being able to create things for him, and he has to finish. His courage is really significant. Here is a guy who believes that he belongs. He reminds me and has the mentally of a guy I coached in Seattle, Tom Chambers. They play with that chip on their shoulder --they believe that they belong in this league. What’s important to us is his ability to score in various ways. Whether he’s coming off the screen, kind of reminds you of Rip Hamilton or Reggie Miller, in terms of how they run off screens.

(On people being critical of his defense) We’re critical of it also. There are assets and things that we all need to get better at, but he’s willing. We talked about how Larry Bird found a way to make First Team All-Defense. He wasn’t a great athlete, but he figured it out in terms of how to play defense in terms of taking a hint. So what we’re about here is what he can do and when you go out and scout players you try to find a player who does something better than anybody else, and then you improve in the areas that he’s weak in.

(On when they knew Morrison was their pick) We were still agonizing over the four guys. There were a lot of smoke screens out there freezing people. So even this morning when I got up and came down to the room, the decision really had not been made

(On if there were trade offers) There were trade offers for us, but it didn’t do anything for us.

(On if the trade between Chicago and Portland allowed them to try to threaten anything) No, sometimes when you try to extract something you miss what’s going on and I am very comfortable with that deal because that could’ve been a deal where they moved up and taken Morrison. So the best thing for us to do was to lay low in that situation.

(On how Gerald Wallace and Morrison will play together) They are different players, Gerald is a great athlete and is moving up in terms of a reputation of being a good defensive player. So they are very contrasting players.

(On Morrison’s diabetes) Our doctors made a decision that we were very comfortable with.

(On how he will treat it next season) That will be Joe’s (Sharpe) responsibility. We have a very competent medical staff. There were some guys, there were a couple guys, that our doctors said no. But that was not the case with Adam. They have a folder of information where they form their opinion. But we never spoke to him (Morrison) about it because it’s our doctors that we rely on and have a confidence in.

(On how close the decision was coming down to the wire) We knew that he would be available, and it was a difficult choice. Rudy Gay, Brandon Roy…these kids are very good basketball players, there’s no doubt about it. So that was the difficult thing. They were great young men, very talented. I think they will be very good in the National Basketball Association. Bargnani we spent a lot of time over in Italy with watching him. So that was a difficulty. As we progress in this draft, guys that are projected at 30 could be there at 50, that’s the type of draft this is.

(On Morrison’s flair, personality and star appeal) I just think that when you’re that way, then you better be damn good. It’s that simple, and he’s a very confident young man.

(On his competitive spirit and how the people here in Charlotte will receive him) They like our basketball team, they like the way we compete, and they like those young men. I think he’ll be accepted. But ultimately, what it’s about is that we need to win basketball games.

(On if he’ll be inserted into the starting lineup quickly) I’m not that smart to be able to do that. I think you lose credibility when you do that. We’ve also talked about you having to earn that situation.

(On coming to a consensus on the pick) It was very simple. The consensus was there. Our job in this situation to play devil’s advocate. What you want is a commitment to conviction about what you do. Those guys, they go out and spend a lot of time in gyms and on airplanes and the input is valuable. So what you strive for is you play devil’s advocate and you want to know about their conviction. So our consensus was unanimous.

(On Michael Jordan’s part in the decision) He was a part of the consensus.

(On if it was different than the previous two drafts with Jordan involved) Not at all because Ed (Tapscott) was involved. Obviously there was no Michael Jordan around before. So what happens there is the input is really key, because here is a guy who has been there. His input has a different slant than us who have not played the game on this level. I thought it was terrific, it was fun, we had a lot of fun, but most of all it was very professional.

<(On Hollins) We had him in for a workout the other day. He’s a great athlete. Was a track guy, started playing basketball late. We like his athleticism. He can shoot the ball from 10-15 feet out. I had a good conversation with Ben Holland, his coach at UCLA. For a 7 footer he’s a terrific athlete. They talk about him a little like Camby, but he’s not as strong in the lower extremities.

(On if he will push Primoz Brezec for the starting job) No I don’t see it. He’s the 50th pick. If he pushes him, it won’t be for the starting job.

(On what UCLA's coach had to say about Hollins) He said he’s one of the more intelligent players on the basketball team as far as knowing scouting reports and said the kid had a 10-15 foot jump shot, but they didn’t allow him to take it. He started playing basketball as a junior in high school because he was a track guy. He did the triple jump and the high jump. So his workout, we had him in here the other day with the Russian who just went before him, was a very good. But he’s just an athletic player who will come in, there’s no commitment, but it’s an opportunity for the kid.

(On if he is a project player) Yeah, a seven-foot athlete who blocks shots. He’s fourth all time at UCLA, so he’s ready to go to work. He’s a good hard working kid who’s very intelligent.

(On if he expects any more trades on draft night) Well, with this draft you just never know. I’ve never seen this many. There were some that just flipped, you got six, then you go five. So the money has to be paid, so the kid makes out even if he goes back. It’s where he was drafted that the payday comes in.