Morrison like Maravich

The comparisons of Adam Morrison to Larry Bird I think are misplaced. Try Pete Maravich. Bird’s game was different from Adam’s. Besides being an aggressive scorer, Bird was a superb rebounder and a terrific passer. His defense was not too bad, either.

Adam’s game does not approach Bird’s total game, at least not yet. But in many respects, Adam does approach Maravich’s game. Some of you are too young to remember what a collegiate sensation Pete was 30 years ago at LSU. He was a demon on the floor, a pure scorer. He could completely dominate a game with his prodigious shooting. A true phenomenon. They called him “Pistol” for a reason. Adam reminds me of Maravich with his hell-bent-for-leather dashes down the floor, the sheer intensity of his game, the taking of almost impossible shots and making them.

Pete and Adam even look alike. The lean, lanky build. The big, floppy black hair. Pete also wore those god-awful floppy socks that Adam hasn’t discovered yet.

Sadly, Pete’s body did not hold up well. After only about 10 injury-riddled years in the pros, he retired in his early 30s. Let’s hope that Adam’s health doesn’t fail him the way Pete’s did.

Jack A. Jennings

Spokane