Nets enjoying more points out of Anthony Morrow

Added by Darius Amos on February 6, 2012.

If the Giants weren’t out winning Super Bowls this weekend, the biggest sports news in New York likely would have centered around the hardwood. Basketball had several exciting stories, some career performances, that shouldn’t go unnoticed, but because of Eli Manning’s magic, they probably will.

So, in case you missed it, let’s go over what happened — and I’m not talking about what Mr. Harvard Jeremy Lin did for the Knicks against the Nets (though what Lin did was nothing short of remarkable). Instead, what the Nets’ Anthony Morrow did this weekend was just short of super stardom.

Morrow turned in a lights out performance in the Nets’ 3-point loss to the Timberwolves last Friday night. New Jersey’s starting shooting guard poured in a magnificent 42 points on a blistering 8-for-11 shooting job from behind the 3-point arc. In total, Morrow was 13 of 20 from the floor and a perfect 8 for 8 from the charity stripe.

He was limited to just 2 of 5 shooting from behind the arc and 11 points the following night against the Knicks, but that’s because of New York’s increased defensive awareness of Morrow’s long-range prowess. But as the MSG network commentators Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Mike Breen explained during their broadcast, the Knicks were zeroing in on Morrow and making him one of the primary targets of their defensive effort.

Morrow is quickly becoming one of the most revered outside shooters, and it’s not only because of his amazing shooting this weekend. The third-year pro out of Georgia Tech is shooting better than 45 percent from 3-point range, ranking among the league’s best in that category. His average of 2.5 trifectas made per game ranks third best in the league, and his 59 total 3′s is second only to Orlando’s Ryan Anderson.

Those numbers will likely change after tonight, even though the Nets will be in action against the Bobcats. Morrow is scheduled to miss tonight’s game because of a death in his family. Still, Morrow will rank among the league’s best marksmen, and the NBA is taking notice. With that said, Morrow is almost guaranteed a spot in the upcoming All-Star Weekend 3-point contest.

Joining the best 3-point shooters at that contest is something that Morrow has definitely thought long and hard over. In fact, he was disappointed that he was passed over to participate in the competition last year. But he’s not bitter — he probably just used that snub as fuel for this year.

Morrow recently told the Daily News’ Stephan Bondy that he’s certain that he would win this year’s long-distance shootout, and that’s without even knowing the competition. The participants in the contest will be announced shortly.

Though Morrow is confident and focused on his individual shooting efforts, he knows that his abilities from the outside will make the Nets a better squad in the long run. With Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks still nursing injuries, Morrow is now the team’s likely second scoring option behind Deron Williams. And with D-Will drawing constant double teams and trying to take more shots, players like Morrow will have to convert when they get their chance with the ball. The Nets would be ever so fortunate to get Morrow’s contributions from 3-point land.

Consistency is the key, though. Morrow can’t play like John Starks and hoist non-stop 3-pointer after another, particularly if he has an off-shooting night. Nights like the 42-point effort against the T-Wolves won’t occur each time out, so Morrow will have to find other shots as well. We all know he’s capable of doing so, and we all know the success of the Nets at this juncture of the season depends on his support of D-Will.

But as for Morrow’s 3-pointers, I say let them fly for now. What’s the point if you have a sniper like that if you’re not going to unleash him.