By Lefteris Moutis
Besiktas believed that Adam Morrison’s very good start of the season with Red Star was his revival. Wrong! They officially released him last Tuesday just three months after they signed him and during his last games in Turkey he was permanently out of roster.
Coach Ergin Ataman created in summertime a very expensive team with several foreign stars in his roster. The return of Deron Williams to the NBA after the end of the lockout reduced the glamour of the team, which tried to fill the gap with Adam Morrison, at least in marketing terms.
The fact that he was the second leading scorer of the Adriatic League with Red Star made the Turks believe that he could help them, even if he plays in a position that is full in Besiktas. The truth proved to be different. Morrison was very good as long as Marcelus Kemp was injured and his place in the rotation wasn’t disputed. But when Kemp was back, Morrison’s play time reduced; he became the sixth foreign player of Besiktas and he could participate only in the Eurochallenge final four – the third string international competition of Europe – and not in Turkish league games.
Morrison himself was disappointed and after mutual agreement his contract with Besiktas was terminated. Leaving for the USA he said that he would try to get a deal in the NBA, but after his last games it seems unlikely for him to find a contract. The image and reputation of 2006 No. 3 draft pick continues to fall and without a potential NBA come back, his career is in immediate danger…
Besiktas, however, won on Thursday the derby against Efes Anadolu 86-77 and seems to be in a hot streak.