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[Old Article]Unfinished business consumes Marcus Morris on journey to stardom

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by CXbby, Jun 30, 2011.

  1. CXbby

    CXbby Member

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    This feature on Marcus Morris is a long read, and a few months old, but gives great insight to his journey coming out of Philly, and growing up as a basketball player. Oh, and if you were wondering: yes, I will now become the Marcus Morris version of Pryuen. Off to scavenge more obscure articles and hide in the bushes by his house now.

    http://www2.kusports.com/news/2011/mar/09/promise-keeper-unfinished-business-consumes-marcus/

     
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  2. CXbby

    CXbby Member

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    One thing that stood out to me: he only started playing basketball at 13 years old.

    When we talk about "upside", invariably we are talking about physical attributes or athletic abilities. The hope to couple actual basketball skills with those things is what gives a raw prospect the aura of potential. The problem with this is, the mental makeup of a player is just as important, if not even more important, than everything else. As discussed in the Sloan Sports Analytics conference: objective sports psychology is the next frontier. For instance, if we could turn back the clocks and peer into the mind of Stromile Swift as a draft prospect, would people really still see him with "high upside". Of course not, dude wanted to be a real estate mogul instead of a basketball player.

    When we look at Marcus Morris, the first thing that comes to mind is "skilled". Supremely skilled if you want to classify him as a "big man". The fact that he only started playing basketball in 8th grade, yet was able to mold himself into one of the most skilled and productive players in college only a few years later tells me a lot about his work ethic, desire, and mental makeup. As coach Thorpe said: "This is a guy who wants to be great". And that is clear as day when you see how much work he has put in.

    While Marcus Morris may not have some of the elite physical attributes that allowed some other late-comers to produce in college -like teammates Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet(both started playing basketball late as well)- he makes up for it with elite desire, elite determination, elite work ethic, and an elite love of the game. To me, those attributes are worth way more than a 7'7 wing span or 40 inch vert. And since he started so late in basketball, I believe he still has plenty of that Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 hours left, meaning he still has plenty of room to grow. That is why I believe he has an unbelievably high upside, despite what conventional wisdom may say.
     
  3. Old Man Rock

    Old Man Rock Contributing Member

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    Man the guy is good and I admit I didn't know anything about him before and you did and his physicality and offensive efficiency will probably make him a better fit for our team than LEONARD! LEONARD! LEONARD! But your bromance all over him is making me nauseous.

    Okay I joke. He's a rocket and I want to know all I can about him. Just yesterday I watched the draft combine and he looked good but he didn't stand out. The thing that separates him right now is he can play the 4 and 3. But I was mistaken when I said I wanted Derrick Williams first now realize Morris might be the better fit. Wrong. William is much more of a three than Morris right now.

    And in spite of Leonard fail on draft night it might surprise that I am rooting for him and am hopeful and very happy if he is our starter by season's end. Because I expect Bud to be better (yes I know he might be traded) but if he isn't I expect him to improve and if Morris wins his starting position that means we will be solid at the three spot which is a good thing. ALso with Scola and Martin on the floor Bud just doesn't work.
     
  4. Hakeemtheking

    Hakeemtheking Member

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    Morris' background in Philly explains a lot of his current mindset. He is one tough son of a b****, exactly the type of player that the Rockets needed at the s/f position.

    I am officially on Morris' bandwagon. Bud may start the season at s/f, but I believe it will be abundantly clear by mid-season who the overall player is at that position.
     
  5. shaggylambda

    shaggylambda Member

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    Lowry lobs it to Morris for the assist and monster jam. I'm coining that the Philly Connection.
     
  6. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    Not sure that's a good thing. Thabeet and Hill also started playing later in life. :)

    Although 13 doesn't seem all that late to me.
     
  7. CXbby

    CXbby Member

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    Most kids start around 8 I'd say.

    Like I mentioned in the post you quoted, Thabeet and Hill got by in college due to their God given tools. That really doesn't tell us anything about their chances of improvement in the future. Morris on the other hand got there not only by his physical attributes(obviously he has those too, but not the best), but also by his high skill level. To get to that level of skill after starting so late shows an incredible level of dedication to his craft. That bodes very well for further improvement in the future, due to his work ethic, and the further room he can grow since he is still 5 years behind many kids at the same level. That is why I think he has a much higher upside than people think.
     
  8. MambaJoe

    MambaJoe Member

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    Yeah when I think of tough, I think of Kyle Lowry who's also from Philly. Now that is one tough little guy. Hopefully Morris will be as tough as Lowry.
     
  9. MambaJoe

    MambaJoe Member

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    Yeah but its not like those extra 5 years will make much of a difference. Starting at the age of 13 is fine as long as he has the right coaching from the time he starting playing til his college days, he should be fine.
     
  10. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    I love his toughness, love the article, and hope that he is as good as the OP thinks he will be.....my only point on him, is that we need to temper expectations of the guy, give him a chance to find his way in the NBA game.

    People label players a bust so quickly around here, sometimes it takes a while for them to find their NBA game, Lowry is a good example of a guy who finally got his shot and shined.

    Sometimes it just takes a while....Morris may indeed be the goods, but I think we need to give him some time to adjust to the speed of the NBA regardless of how "Tough" he is, the D-league has plenty of tough guys playing there too.

    DD
     
  11. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
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    That "people" is you, bub!

    ;)
     
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  12. RV6

    RV6 Contributing Member

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    I have to umm...you know, do that thing when you think the same as someone else, in this case, DD.:grin:

    I'm a big fan of Morris going back to before the draft. I'm glad he's here and have high expectations for him, although not quite as high as Cxbby. I think that his threads/posts have alone turned A LOT of fans into believing Morris will be really good, or even great. Although that may happen, we dont know how fast or slow his game and career will develop. He could simply be held down by the talent around him, not enough touches, minutes, etc. I'm afraid that, even if he shows promise and does well for a 14th pick in his first season, fans will be calling him a bust or not as good as advertised.
     
  13. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    Nope, I have not labled anyone a bust......I think everyone has potential until they prove otherwise....it is why I want Thabeet to get a shot.

    DD
     
  14. sammy

    sammy Contributing Member

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    But you designate players into roles too quickly. AB becoming a top 10 PG and Lowry as a career backup is an example.

    Now, I think you're subconsciously a little afraid to see Budinger lose his starting role to Morris. It's only a matter of time :cool:
     
  15. HillBoy

    HillBoy Contributing Member

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    Aw Cx, if you keep this up I'll start to get misty-eyed. Seriously though, I think he is a solid pick but you are mistaken about desire, determination, work ethic being worth more than physical ability. Chuck Hayes possesses those very same qualities yet at 6-6, they aren't enough when he's getting physically overmatched at the 5. Physical ability trumps all of those things. That's why I am waiting to see if he can really run the floor and hold his own against NBA level SFs before I declare him to be a can't miss prospect.
     
  16. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    I think AB was playing at a top ten level and Lowry was a career backup......all those things are true, now they switched, which can happen.

    I don't care if CBud loses his job or gets traded, whatever is better for the team.....I just want people to be a little more patient with M. Morris, if he doesn't start out like gang busters.

    DD
     
  17. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Contributing Member

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    so you are going to call him Somewhat Big for a SF Marcus now?
     
  18. HillBoy

    HillBoy Contributing Member

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    I have to disagree with you about Thabeet. He's the poster child for the word BUST. Supposedly, they are trying to teach him how to play basketball this summer (and it looks like they will get more time with the upcoming lockout) but if they (Rox) have to do something that drastic for a player at this point in time then you will excuse my lack of faith in this turning out well.
     
  19. CXbby

    CXbby Member

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    I don't disagree with that. I didn't mean that desire, determination and worth ethic trumps physical ability, otherwise I would be a NBA HOFer at 5'10. :)

    But if I am to choose between someone with average physical attributes and elite desire, or someone with mediocre desire and elite physical attributes, I would probably take the former. Chuck Hayes is a good example, where as a C he is much too restricted physically. However as a PF I would take him over the Tyrus Thomases and Stromile Swifts and our own Jordan Hill any day of the week. Marcus Morris is not limited physically like Chuck is at C, he is merely... unexceptional. However, just because he isn't Lebron James or Andre Iguodala athletically, his desire and mental aspects make up for it, IMO. BTW I also think his athleticism is being underrated with all this talk. He might actually be above average.
     
  20. s.b713

    s.b713 Member

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    A match up im looking forward to is when Melo plays M.Morris..


    Ahh i miss watching NBA bball :(
     

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