I've been impressed. He's lost weight. Is quicker than last year and has better handles than last year as well. He needs to learn how to play like a guard though.
Just because you were a baller in college doesn't mean it always translates to the next level. Those ROY expectations and Carmelo with defense or Paul Pierce comparisons were unfair and unjust made up by a minority of CFANS who always seem to overrate their own assets. And these comparisons and expectations were set the second after it was announced that he was drafted by us. To say he never got a fair shake is absolutely WRONG. Every day was a chance for him. I'll trust McHale's eye over anybody elses from what he sees in camp, practice, drills, training, scrimmage etc. He had more than his fair shake to beat out Budinger or Parsons who were both 2nd rounders. During the times when Morris did see the court at the NBA level he looked lost, slow and confused.
Even though Terrence Jones doesn't have the polished J like Marcus, he does everything else better and is the better tweener. Don't see the need for having both on the roster. Morey more than likely pushing Marcus in deals rather than TJ if he can get away with it.
It seems pretty clear that the Rockets are trying to 'showcase' Morris in these games, giving him a prominent role, and hoping he can flash enough to stir Orlando's interest. So we can expect a continued heavy dose of MM, and hopefully he manages to play lights-out and we will manage to convince Hennigan to take the picks, Martin, Morris and Patterson, and whatever other filler is necessary to take DH and two, mayyyyybe three additional contracts back (but not two horrible ones, just one horrible one and maybe two small ones). And leave this year's rooks and D-Wolf and Mad Chicken alone.
I've been impressed with the way he has moved so far in SL and the type of shots he takes are looking like a 3. However, his offensive ability as a 3 was never in question.
He's more active and is running the floor but he looks like he never gets the ball where he's comfortable.
I think he's still working out the kinks of floor spacing at the 3. He'll figure out where he should get the ball and I think it starts by posting him up in the block to test opposing 3's.
I'm not ready to give up on Morris, but I don't like to hear people say he hasn't had a fair shake. The Rockets were trying to win games last year, they played the players they thought could win them games. I think when the Rockets drafted Morris they had every intention for him to get meaningful minutes his rookie season. But, out of nowhere came Chandler Parsons. In the short time that players had to prove themselves in last seasons shortened training camp and exhibition season, Parsons stepped up and won the playing time over Morris. And who can argue that Parsons doesn't deserve to play in front of Morris. Parsons ultimately beat out both Morris and Budinger to become the starter. I think you could say that Morris has been unlucky to have been drafted by a team that would have a 2nd round pick become possibly the steal of the draft. But I think Morris has had a fair opportunity to win minutes, he just hasn't been good enough. I wish he had played in more D-league games last year. One thing that has hurt Morris with the fans is that he pales in comparison to Parsons. Few rookies can step from the college ranks into the NBA as easily as Parsons has. Right now it looks like Morris is fighting for a spot on the roster, and he hasn't looked all that great in summer league action. I think a year in the D-league would help a lot, but if the Rockets go into tank mode this year, then Morris may have a chance to get some minutes.
He looks like he's hustling, at least. He is a bit of a ballhog as others have mentioned but I think the Rockets want that to some extent. He needs to be assertive without being ballhoggy. I will say this-he's had two great alley oop passes but I can't remember who they were to. I'd be fine trading him but I don't think he's a bust. Maybe not a starter but could become a rotation piece. A lot of his problems do seem mental, however, and appear to involve confidence and drive. He's not sulking and doesn't appear to be bothered by the rookies getting a bunch of attention.
From the bit I saw, he looks to be in incredible shape. Looks like he lost a few pounds since the season. I think it is just a matter of getting comfortable. Orlando will probably want Jones or White over him, therefore he may be our backup SF/PF.
Exactly, and if the draft were held again, where do you think Parsons would go? 14th? Higher than 14th? Top Ten? Maybe so. So it's not exactly a knock on Morris, it's just that he got beat out at the position. So if he gets more minutes this year, whose minutes would he be taking? Parsons? I just don't see it. He pretty much has to go in the DH trade, unless Morey foolishly allows them to gut our current crop, which seems less and less likely with every passing day.
I see potential but I worry that our team won't give him a fair shake at one particular spot to develop. I've seen us do this before with some of our rooks when the coaches don't know what to do with them. Sadly I also think Royce White is in the same boat. McHale trusts Parsons at the 3 and if one of the other more experienced SFs we got in the trades impresses him or whoever our two PGs are, I have no doubt that they would be the backup SF or have one of the guards play the position over Morris or White and playing either at PF isn't going to fly since we already have a log jam at that position as well. This is one of the reason's I am still pissed at Morey, drafting BPA over drafting for need positions is a luxury you have in baseball and Football with massive rosters, in basketball you shouldn't do such because you can't store players like that or guarantee the young guys will get the PT to develop. Morris gets the blame when we haven't given him time to develop into the player we are trying mold him into. It is a waste because you can see he has some talent but it isn't be developed or focused properly.
I truly thought the guy had some serious potential... but after watching SL, he seems to have slipped....but i dk how he was putting up 30 pts in d-leauge....
Main focus on the D-league team. In SL they have to make sure the ball gets spread around and everyone gets a chance to show what they got.
I stand by the belief that he hasn't gotten a fair shake because the dude was playing very well in preseason and then he got no love when regular season rolled around.
