The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta was on the scene yesterday for a mild outbreak of Adam Morrison-mania.
There was no doubt who was the people’s choice Thursday as the hometown Portland Trail Blazers worked out four college players, including Washington’s Brandon Roy and Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison (above), in anticipation of the NBA draft on June 28.
About 30 fans, egged on by a local radio station, crowded outside the team’s practice facility chanting “Draft the ‘stache,” a reference to Morrison’s celebrated moustache, as the players were put through a number of drills by team officials inside.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” said Morrison of the “Draft the ‘stache” movement.
But the Blazers, who will pick fourth, might not have that choice to make. Morrison could be headed to one of the teams with the first three picks ” Toronto, Chicago or Charlotte. Two draft Web sites ” hoopshype.com and nbadraft.net ” project the Raptors will take Morrison with the first pick.
That might leave the Blazers looking for a player with a slightly different facial look.
“I’ve got more of a beard,” Roy joked. “Draft the beard.”
The Oregonian’s Mike Tokito reports the Blazers are doing their best to deal with a local peeping tom.
In response to an item on Thursday’s workouts posted by The Oregonian on the Behind the Blazers Beat Web log on OregonLive.com, the Trail Blazers said that they indefinitely will close future player workouts to reporters. The team was upset because reporter Jason Quick observed part of the workout by looking through a window in the media room.
I’m surprised 30 people are that excited about the worst NBA draft EVER.