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Adam Morrison Shines Early for Bobcats

In his first professional game, the exhibition season opener of the Charlotte Bobcats, Adam Morrison made an impact. It is expected of the third over-all pick in the 2006 draft to play well, but in the first game of his first NBA season he was already the best player on the court. In a 109-90 loss to the Orlando Magic, Morrison had 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

The small forward from Montana, who played three spectacular years for Gonzaga, seemed comfortable on the court, doing what he did throughout his college career. "Adam is a shooter - get him open shots, and he`ll do that every night," team-mate point guard Raymond Felton said. Morrison was less happy with his defense, admitting he was beat several times on the other end of the court.

Emeka Okafor, meanwhile, finished the game with zero points and six fouls. Rookie of the Year two years ago, back from an ankle injury the sidelined him for the greater part of last year, was disappointed with his comeback. Perhaps the next seven exhibition games would help put the pieces together for Charlotte before the season begins.