Getting to know Marcus Morris - Your new Franchise player

Yea. That's right. You better believe it.

For the Rockets tonight, everything has changed. I would like to introduce you to the new face of the franchise: Marcus Morris.

You should know plenty about him since I have been bombarding the BBS with info on him leading up to the draft. But since misinformation is still widely evident, I think some of the things bears repeating. After all, a proper introduction is warranted for someone you will be seeing a whole lot of in the coming years.

As a power forward, Marcus Morris is undersized, has a short wingspan, with subpar athleticism, and can't block shots. While skilled, that is just enough to earn you the "versatile" tag. Which is just another way of saying, "We don't know where to put you." You add all that to an upperclassman who only came on the scene his junior year, and you have your recipe for why he was available at 14.

Only problem is, he isn't a power forward.

Playing at the prep charter Apex Academy, Marcus was almost exclusively used as a wing on the perimeter. Gifted with the ball handling of a guard, he was often called upon to bring the ball up like a PG. Only upon arriving at Kansas, and under the tutelage of Danny Manning did he start to develop in the post. After improvement each year, and biding his time behind a deep team with multiple NBA prospects, he finally molded himself into one of the most elite post scorers in the nation this past year. Unfortunately for him, that success has clearly made a few NBA teams forget where his roots lie.

You see, as a small forward, Marcus Morris is massive, overpowering, and a complete bull. His underwhelming wingspan and shot blocking is less blatant when playing on the wing. Meanwhile, his post game is accentuated and could result in true mismatches all over the court. Most importantly of all, Marcus plays a triple threat game that only the stars in the league possess. One of the most efficient and productive scorers in college, he does so in the post, off the dribble, pull up, off screens and any and every way possible. His passing ability and court vision is extremely underrated, and will surely surprise a lot of folks. Meanwhile, his dribble drive is very effective due to his range out to the NBA 3, and his advanced ball handling.

As a small forward, he is a top 5 talent in the entire draft. And one of the true impact players that a team can build around.

As someone who has clamored to trade up to grab him, even if it cost one of our veterans like Scola, it is nothing short of stunning to have him drop into our laps. Today, 6/23/2011, the fate of the Rockets have changed. And I am not bull****ing you. This is a coup that makes up for the disaster that lost us Brandon Roy. In fact, that is exactly the caliber player we have just acquired.

What I see in Marcus Morris is a similar career trajectory as Roy: a late bloomer in college, heralded for his all around game, yet master of none. Without elite athleticism or physical measurements, but dominant with skill.

As a player, I see him as a heavier Paul Pierce with a much better post game. A less talented Carmelo with infinitely more toughness and commitment to team and winning. A healthier and more complete Caron Butler afforded with a great situation, a great coach staff, a great supporting cast, and every opportunity to succeed.

I can go on and on. I can not adequately express my excitement as a Rockets fan. To me the biggest problem for our team was not a center. It was the lack of a franchise player to build around. Without one of those, there is no clear path to a championship caliber team. No starting point. I resigned to the conclusion that tanking was the only, and easiest way.

I WAS WRONG.

The reason I was wrong is because I significantly overestimated the competence of NBA GMs. The same group of aholes who let Paul Pierces and Danny Grangers slide time and again while reaching for the next big thing with a 40 inch vertical or 7'7 wingspan without a lick of basketball skill. Or hey, for someone who simply haven't even played in 2 years. Yup, not being able to see someone play actually BOOSTS their value.

Nevermind that though, nothing can get me down for this glorious night.

Mark my words:

Marcus Morris will be in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Marcus Morris will breakout his 3rd year in the league, averaging above 20 PPG.

Marcus Morris will be a multi-allstar the next 10 years, bringing a championship to Houston.

If you are a Rockets fan, rejoice. The light at the end of the tunnel is here. And it isn't a train. It's a pot of gold the size of Mount Rushmore.

**** YEA.