Another weakness I could see about Marcus that could stop him from being an allstar is his inability to stop and pop in front of a defender. Drive and shoot over a guy. Havent seen that in any of his highlights. I could be mistaken.
I don't think it will be a problem. He was asked to play the PF and C in college, so the extra weight is understandable. Now that he is transitioning back to the 3, I have no doubt by the start of the season he will be back down in the 225 range. What is scary though is that he is just as fast now as Carmelo back then, carrying 15 extra pounds. Imagine how much more agile and quick he will be when he gets rid of that. Still, I don't think he will ever be at Carmelo's level of quickness(especially first step) and ball handling. That is why I actually like the Paul Pierce comparisons better.
Carmelo was 220 playing at Syracuse and put on about 12-13lbs entering his rookie year. ESPN - Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse Statsheet - Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse Chad Ford mentions that Anthony's playing weight was 220lbs at Syracuse Same story with Pierce. Look, if you want to compare Marcus' game to Melo or Pierce, that's fine, but he's gonna have to keep his weight right where it's at and/or hire a dietician/cook. I hope he pans out as a long-term 3 for us, but a young player adjusting to the NBA lifestyle is gonna put on some weight. If he can keep improving his ballhandling and still get by other small forwards five years from now I'll be impressed. I still believe he'll end up being more comparable to Bonzi or David West than to Melo/Pierce ten years from now.
Marcus honestly doesn't NEED to fill out.. The guy has incredible size for a sf. He's tall, fast(same speed as Melo/watch the windsprints) and his bench was more than Melo's when he was drafted. Marcus is already strong.. He does not look like a kid whos about to hit puberty.. His body is one of the most NBA ready of his class... He has a lower bf% and faster court sprint than Derrick Williams and is taller... This kid has all the tools to be an immediate factor at sf for this team...
Your point is irrelevant because Melo was only 18 years old when he played at Syracuse and he plays in the NBA at 233+.
You mentioned that Carmelo put on 12-13 lbs "entering his rookie year". In other words he went to 233 lbs, during his freshman year and before he joined the NBA . Currently, Carmelo entered the NBA and lost 3 lbs for 230 lb playing weight. Carmelo 230 lbs. http://www.nba.com/home/playerfile/carmelo_anthony/
When did the NBA all of a sudden become the next place for the "freshman 15"? Sure, some players put on weight when they join the league. Because they're still growing, and combined with better weight lifting regime, they get stronger. Some palyers lose weight when entering the league, because they have more time to focus on proper diet/weight management. Some players stay the same weight. Marcus is already a man, physically, or at least it seems to me. But regardless of his weight, he will have to prove he can hang predominantly as a SF. I think he can, and can thrive there, but it is fair to question whether he can or not.
This guy has me soo freakin excited!! I really wish we could actually get some news on him this summer. Summer League wouldve been a blast to watch with Morris, Donatas, Parsons, Patterson, and possibly any of Hill, Thabeet, T-Will, Bud, and Flynn.. JEESE!! Anyways, Morris seems to have the size and I.Q. to take his game to the next level.. I was skeptical about his physical limitations at first, but after watching footage and seeing his combine numbers I'm convinced he'll flourish as a physical sf in the NBA....He fell to us at 14 as an undersized PF, If this guy had just played sf in college I have no doubt he'd been a top 5 prospect.. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play against Derrick Williams.. The battle of the 3/4s.. P.s.. If anyone actually had any worthy updates on Morris I'd be willing to pay..
I like the Robert Horry comparison alot by Chad Ford. At this point coming out of college I see alot of similarities. However, Marcus has a very, very good post up game that will be utilized quite often Im sure of it. Right now, thats his biggest strength on offense. So whether he can play the 3 spot right now really doesnt matter, but what does matter is can he guard SF's on a nightly basis, and can he mesh well on offense in a lineup with two other bigs. If they still run alot of the Adelman corner sets, like Mchale said they would, then that should bring one of the bigs out to the high post on almost every play and could make Marcus very effective in that offensive system. *on a separate note - that "other guy" was the SEC player of the year, and is a highly skilled 6'10" point forward. He could very well be the steal of this years draft. Is he a bit soft right now, sure, but that skillset, proven abilities to fill the stat sheet, and athletic basketball physical build, You arent going to get much better than that in the 2nd round of a weak draft.
Pierce's ball handling was much better,than Morris' when he came into the NBA. He could create his own shot,and Morris can't do that.
Yes, he can, actually. You can't be the number 1 PPS in the post without being able to create your own shot.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the other poster was saying Marcus can't create his own shot facing the basket, from the outside, off the dribble. That is the way Melo gets most of his point if we are to continue with this comparison.
If you have size and a jumpshot, it is not difficult to shorten the gap from 25 feet to 17 feet, where Marcus Morris is adept at creating his own shot.
