Forgotten man unforgettable

The Beijing Ducks' Randolph Morris shoots over the Guangdong Southern Tigers' James Singleton during Beijng's win on Friday. [Photo by Cui Meng / China Daily]

Stephon Marbury is the hero, but Randolph Morris is more than a sidekick.

The Beijing Ducks' only legitimate center, Morris almost single-handedly carried his team in the paint as it defeated the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the CBA Finals to claim the league's championship.

Morris helped the Ducks overpower three teams in the playoffs that featured tough big men: the Zhejiang Lions, Shanxi Brave Dragons and Guangdong.

The former Atlanta Hawk and New York Knick passed the credit to his teammates.

"You can't just pick one (for the MVP)," Morris said in the raccoonus locker room after the awards ceremony at the MasterCard Center on Friday night. "There are too many people we needed. That's my team. One person goes out, we can't function the same way. Everybody is key to our team."

Ducks coach Min Lulei said Morris emerged as a different player once the playoffs began, bringing energy on both ends of the court.

Boasting a smart finish around the rim and a smooth mid-range jumper, Morris averaged 24.2 points in 14 playoff games while providing solid defense and chipping in 9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

A decisive last-minute turn of events in Game 5 highlighted Morris' versatility. First, he blocked what would've been a tying layup by Aaron Brooks, then followed it up with two free throws with 21 seconds left to seal the victory.

Minutes later, Morris stressed that hard work had made the difference.

"To win the ultimate championship with my teammates, it's hard to describe. It's amazing," he said. "People hurt, people have injuries, but we all know how hard everybody had to work to get to where we are today. Everybody stepped up. Even when somebody went down, we always picked them up. That's a team so we celebrate as a one."

For Morris, who played with Marbury for the Knicks in 2007, reuniting thousands of miles from home to win their first titles is destiny.

"Everything happens for a reason," said Morris, who signed the Knicks in 2007 as an undrafted free agent. "We played together before, but it wasn't meant to be where it was, it was meant to be down the road. Us coming to China, it was a marriage made in heaven."

Although Marbury was derided as a selfish player by the New York media during his sojourn with the Knicks, Morris doesn't agree.

"He is the leader we need," Morris said. "He's got the talent to make everybody better. I've got better than last year. Everybody improved because he is the type of person he knows everybody gravitates towards him. He does anything he can to help you. It's not about Stephon Marbury the player. It's about the person."

The happy ending means higher expectations for the Ducks next season. Morris said he wants to come back after his one-year contract expires this summer.

"That's a positive thing. I want to be here. Beijing to me is my home. I was thinking I have to go and check out my apartment," said the 26-year-old, whose wife was courtside for every home game.

"Beijing is a mixture of the traditional and modern. And the people accept you. No matter what's going on before in your life in America, they gave you a clear stay here. You came here - as long as you played hard and gave everything you got, they love you forever. That's what's so enticing about Beijing.

"Despite the ups-and-downs, they never panic on us. They stay behind us, no matter do or die. They love you to death. Beijing welcomed me with open arms. I don't want to leave."

Sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn