Bobcats preview: Morrison set to take off in second season

If we were to play a little game of word association, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think Adam Morrison?

A year ago today, your response would've probably mentioned his shooting prowess, the shaggy long hair, or maybe, if you knew about it, his courage playing through diabetes. As he enters his second year in the NBA, your likely response involves the words "bust" or "fraud."

Adam Morrison wants to be the next unlikely player to emerge. (Getty Images)

His rookie season in Charlotte was so bad that he's already been written off. At 23 years old, I've already heard how this guy is done, how he conned his way into the lottery, and how the Larry Bird comparisons were only made because of the color of his skin.

Luckily, Morrison told me in July that he doesn't care what you think, what I think, or what anybody other than his coaches thinks. Given the reviews it sounded like a good strategy, and three months later, it's already paying off.

Although you shouldn't ever put too much emphasis on the preseason, there are some things that can't be ignored. A player with an improved attitude is one of them, especially for younger guys. Progression typically occurs through the first and third seasons, a player's formative years, and how most navigate that journey usually winds up shaping a career. Rookies, unless they're exceptional, feel their way through things, improve during their second years due to the increased familiarity and feel like veterans by Year 3, settling in.

The caveat is that second season, because some guys get stunted, going through the dreaded sophomore slump, and others grow exponentially. It would be hard for Morrison not to be better given last season's performance, but he's working on being one of those guys who becomes a completely different player once they get going.

He'd like to share another thing in common with Gilbert Arenas besides their unhealthy fascination with the Halo video game series. Arenas is the first person to come to mind when you think of guys that "come out of nowhere." Deron Williams was that guy last year.

Morrison wants to be next.

In his first week of preseason action, the former National co-Player of the Year shot 18-for-34 from the field, and only one of those makes was a 3-pointer. He seems to have a much better sense of what he can and can't do, which is great news for a Charlotte franchise that really can't afford for the No. 3 pick in the 2006 draft to be someone they can't rely on.

Sean May is out for the season, and their depth was already limited before the power forward announced that he was having microfracture surgery on his right knee. Morrison now figures to get even more playing time than originally thought because the Bobcats are going to have to go small to survive, so the fact he's come out aggressive is a great sign.

There's no question that Jason Richardson's acquisition is the biggest adjustment for a team that badly needed a go-to guy, but the Bobcats look like they're going to be in for another bonus. Given how unproductive he was out there as a rookie, getting on track will give the Bobcats a boost few expect.

It's a good thing Morrison isn't listening to you.