All Ammo In Vegas

Business: Lakers Bench Warmer and former Star of the University of Gonzaga kicked off day one of the Lakers Vegas Summer league schedule today. Morrison, who averaged 19 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists in his three year career in college with the Bulldogs hasn't had the best of luck since. Widely remembered for laying spread out on the floor in his Bulldogs jersey with tears flowing after the UCLA Bruins ended Gonzaga's season in the 2006 NCAA Sweet Sixteen Tournament, Morrison was drafted 3rd overall in the 2006 NBA Draft and to many has been considered a bit of a let down considering he was picked ahead of franchise players of the likes of Brandon Roy (6th overall) and Rudy Gay (8th overall). Quite some hard acts to follow, or lead for that matter. He had a decent Rookie season but never quite lived up to the hype of a 3rd overall pick.

On October 21, 2007, the Charlotte Bobcats announced that Morrison had sustained a severe injury to his left knee in a pre-season exhibition game ironically against his current team. The injury was confirmed to be a torn ACL (ouch) and resulted in Ammo missing the whole 2007-08 NBA season. Morrison was acquired along with new Laker fan favorite and 'Chris Brown' look alike Shannon Brown from the Bobcats in exchange for Vladamir 'Radman/Borat/Space Cadet' Radmanovich. I for one was very pleased and this was before we knew the kind of talent we now have in Brown, who signed a 2 year extension with the Lakers earlier this week along with the Artest signing. I'm sure most Laker fans would have settled for a bag of Skittles in exchange for Vlade at that stage but Mitch did it again.

Back to Ammo and the Summer League. Let me first say, I actually do like this guy which seems like a rare and uncommon thing for a Laker fan, according to the 'buz' around the Internet. I use the term 'Bench Warmer' lightly, I mean look at who he was competing with for minutes last season. Morrison was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile diabetes at the age of 13, as was my younger brother at the age of 11. I've seen first hand how hard it is to contain that debilitating disease so I know Ammo must be an inspiration and great role model, not only for the kids and adults suffering from Diabetes, but the parents and families who care for their loved ones.

I for one really hope he can find some form in Vegas, get some confidence and swagger back, which he seems to have done today and fill a decent role for the team instead of being looked past every time B Shaw calls a players name. He didn't get a whole lot of court time this past season but when he did, I couldn't help but find myself supporting the guy, plus he's a R.A.T.M fan, and although I'm not quite sure what Ammo drives, we kind of park our cars in the same garage. Morrison kicked off day 1 in Vegas scoring 24 points on just above 50% shooting, coincident time: Adam also scored 24 points in that last game against The Bruins. He also chipped in with 5 boards and 3 assists last night leading the Lakers to an 85 - 84 win over Toronto. Yeah, yeah, It's just the summer league but I got all I was asking for, some productivity out of Morrison. I don't expect the guy to average more than 10 minutes a game in the 09/10 season, I just want to know if he's called upon, he'll step in and make some noise. It ain't too much to ask for from a guy earning close to what we're giving Ron, when you think about it, that's LO's money right there. Not a bad salary to ride the sidelines all the way to a championship. I'd do it for free.

Pleasure: Lakers back-up point man, Jordan Farmar has continued his run in the World Series of Poker today lasting 3 days with his 30k buy in. Jordan, who ironically was apart of that UCLA team that ended Morrison's days in Gonzaga dropping 15 points and 6 dimes in that fatal NCAA game back in 2006, apparently was up to 48 thousand in chips at the end of day 1, not bad for someone with little to no experience with Texas Hold'em. By the end of day 2, he had sent 12 people packing getting his bankroll up to around 150k but after a few big hands lost ended day 2 with around 75 thousand. Once again, not bad at all for someone with little to no experience.

"I'd never played poker before," said Farmar in a phone interview with the LA Times prior to Day 3. "I went to the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles and played to get the hang of the game. I didn't know anything about what kind of poker they played here. I just knew what hand beat the next one."

Apparently Farmar's agent hooked up the spot in the tour and it's not unusual for the W.S.O.P to attract athletes and celebrities alike. Good luck on day 3 Jordan, for now, just go for the gold. And good luck to both Lakers for that matter, who's future's with this franchise are far from certain. I really hope Ammo can carry on the momentum from today into tomorrow game against Cavs which starts at 11pm Melb time. Both players have expiring contracts next season and have alot to prove if they have any hopes of remaining with the team or plan to compliment another.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being Ammo face down on a court floor devastated in tears and Jordan winning the WSOP, I'd rate this about a 5. Both young Lakers set to receive their championship rings on opening day later this year, still have a long way to go.



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