Getting to know Marcus Morris - Your new Franchise player

:grin: love it

 

Damn this brother this is getting real annoying. Ask about how he can contribute and improve, and how he thinks he's going to get PT and his work ethic....not about how amazing it is that they got drafted the same way they got born..

 

I guess you have a reading comprehension problem. I was addressing the basketball ignorant people who were comparing him to Melo. In relation to MM, Melo is head and shoulders above him in the attributes I highlighted. You and others can delude yourself into thinking this guy is some kind of franchise player, but when reality hits, it's going to be harsh. I'm more intrigued by DM. Putting him at PF and pairing him with a solid defensive-minded C that could shield some of his weaknesses, could really allow him to excel and flourish. As usual, you type a lot, but say very little.

 

Seems like a good kid, another decent character guy, probably a poor man's Paul Pierce or Melo down the road.

 

I'll start off by saying that I am a Jayhawk. Not a fan, but I actually go to KU. I haven't missed a home game in 4 years. I've seen every shot Marcus has taken at KU. Literally. I am a supporter. That's my general position, now for my thinking:

Marcus Morris has the ability to play the SF position in the NBA offensively right now. He could probably do a decent job as a PF from day one, and by decent I mean double digit points and six or so rebounds. Some issues that people mention are his lateral quickness. I agree with this to an extent. He's a good athlete, a smooth athlete, but not a Lebron. With the offensive player in the "mid-range" area of the court, Morris' lateral quickness and defensive ability is going to be fine from day one. However, and this is what most people are probably referring to, 24 feet from the basket he becomes a defensive question mark. Right now, he won't be able to stay in front of a SG on a switch or a smaller/quicker SF. Hopefully this will develop with time. His defense from 18 feet in is good as he does move very well laterally, but it's his defense at the perimeter line that might be shaky off the bat.

He had the absolute best big-man coach in the college game, and it's really not even close. That is why you saw the development of his game from his Freshman year until now. He learned how to post and use his natural skills to his advantage. His mid-range game is what sets him apart from the other SF's coming into the league. He hits shots consistently that just make you laugh. His shot is smooth and his size allows him to get his shot off, even with a defender in his face. He needs to improve his set 3-point shot though. He can hit them, but not at an NBA level of consistency right now. He shoots it better off the dribble than a lot of NBA SF's right now. His brother is the exact opposite, Kieff will drain it consistently if he is sorta-open and has his feet set, especially in the middle of the court.

Marcus plays with an aggression you wouldn't expect from someone who is quite off the court and as a person. This has led to a few technical fouls that were what I'd call bone-headed mistakes on his part. I'm not talking about a DeMarcus Cousins/Ron Artest type attitude, but he's not afraid to do what needs to be done.

His ball handling isn't where it needs to be, but that's something I view as an easy fix. He won't ever be great at it, but I'd say a Paul Pierce level of ball handling is about what we can expect.

That's all I've got time for right now. I can talk for quite a while about his game, his development, and him as a person if I keep going.

Rock Chalk!

 

I like your optimism CXbby. Go Marcus Morris. Go Rockets.

 

I guess i should be offended.

The Melo comparison isn't as crazy as it sounds, not because we think he'll become Melo 2.0, but because he models his game after Melo. That's a fact, it came from his own mouth and it's evident in the videos. His shooting form is like Melo's. He practices the step back and the same drives. That means there has to be similarities between them, which is why Melo is referenced. It's just a starting point to make comparisons, but he's obviously not as good and he probably will never be. He may even evolve to be a completely different player than Melo and will stop copying him as he figures out how he fits in the NBA himself.

Also, would it kill you not to group everyone on the same boat? I've never said he was a franchise player. Just because multiple people like the pick doesn't mean we all have the same exact expectations.

 

Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Luol Deng, Gerald Wallace, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Rudy Gay and Trevor Ariza are the guys I can think off of the top of my head. I haven't seen the handles or athleticism from Marcus Morris to make me think he can take any of those guys off the dribble.

If he has them in the post, yes, I'm sure he could score on most of them. That's assuming he has the ball deep enough in the first place. I'm not confident in his ability to get around any of these guys consistently from 20ft. I'm likely missing a few from that list too.

Perhaps I just haven't seen him with the ball in that situation enough. I'd like to see some people who aren't Jayhawks fans tell me they have seen him break down players on the perimeter at will.

 

Sorry, I must've missed the part where you explicitly stated that you disagreed with the original poster. Feel free to do so now. Also, I still think the Melo comparison is bs.

 

i think he can be an all star someday...hes the next melo

 

OP Post.

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.

Less talented? Just as you said.
More toughness and commitment to winning? Not hard to beat Melo in this category.

And BTW, what makes you such an expert that you can claim the Melo comparison only came from "basketball ignorant" people? Can you show your credentials and wealth of basketball knowledge to prove your dismissive statements?

Failing that, how about your projections of all our draft pick/trades since Morey's arrival? Brooks, Landry, Dorsey, Taylor, CBud, Lowry, etc. If you've hit on most of them, then you at least have some basis for your tone.

 

You sure did miss it, but if you're looking for me to disagree with it all, well then you won't find that. It's not black or white all the time..feel free to check again.

 

What kind of KoolAid are you drinking? I want some! :grin:

I hope you're right. I agree that sometimes teams try to get too "cute" drafting on potential when you have a solid all around NBA ready player right in front of you. That is what I think Morris is right now! A build around superstar.... who knows, I guess time will tell on that one!

 

I think you are not far off if your comparison is between Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison. You also have to take his stats in context of minutes played. He achieved those stats which measure up to these guys in College but he did them in only 28 minutes. So I can see why some might be wary he is a PF trying to switch to Small forward but if he has skills? Then he has skills to do so.

 

Yeah.


Do you realize how good Glenn Robinson was out of college?


Morris does not have that type of scoring ability, athleticism, or midrange.

 

Marcus Morris was a great pick at 14, and we were lucky that he fell to us. All the haters can just keep hating everything.

 

Donatas = Dirk/Pau combo, inside game of Pau + outside game of Dirk.

Morris = Pierce/Carmelo/Marion, tempering expectations, he could easily be the next LBJ/TMAC.

Chandler = Do it all player, clutch, the white Larry Bird.

 

Disclaimer, I haven't seen him play, only the videos posted so far. For those that have seen him play, how does he compare to Maurice Taylor? Based on the descriptions I've been reading (excellent offensive skills, poor rebounding), he sounds like a more motivated Maurice Taylor atm... Even if he can play "acceptable" defense at the 3, we need more than acceptable defense with Martin at the 2. Talent-wise he might be the right pick, but I have trouble seeing how he'll fit in with the roster as currently constructed.