Markieff Morris Brings Balance to the 2011-2012 Phoenix Suns Frontcourt
by PHXgp on Dec 10, 2011 6:52 PM MST
in Phoenix Suns Commentary
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PrintWith the 13th overall pick in this year's NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns selected standout Kansas forward Markieff Morris. Not the first, not the second, but the third NBA brother (and second NBA twin) to join the Suns, Morris was drafted to help bring depth to the position vacated by Amar'e Stoudemire a year earlier.
Morris has yet to set foot on the court, in practice or otherwise, as a Phoenix Sun, but that won't stop me from speculating about what his potential impact will be this season and beyond.
- Finishing Ability: As a Jayhawk, Morris was known as an excellent pick-and-roll finisher, converting almost 70% of his touches at the rim last year. He's been working on improving his back-to-the-basket moves, but is known primarily as an attacker. The Suns like the pick and roll. Steve Nash likes the pick and roll. I like the pick and roll. It's all good.
- Rebounding Skill: Steadily improving throughout his 3-year collegiate career, he averaged 8.3 rebounds last year and improved his rebounding rate in each year. Alvin Gentry can expect a guy willing and able to attack the boards when Markieff's name gets called. I don't think we're in for another Taylor Griffin experience in this category, but one thing Morris will need to do is stay in the weight room. He's not a huge body in the paint but he has good footwork.
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Just. Just. Just
Please don’t be the scrub brother. That’s all I ask of you Keef. Just be at least as good as your brother.
Channing Frye would NEVER catch flying french fries with his left hand!
by Will Slaven on Dec 10, 2011 6:59 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Uh....I would say we should hope for better than his brother.
"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010
"All they’re fighting for is to stay as obscenely rich as they are now, based on their ability to bounce a ball and throw it in a hole." East Bay Ray, October 10, 2011
"the players and owners are squabbling over how to divide the pie that WE BAKE FOR THEM." East Bay Ray, October 31, 2011
Yes!
For once, just once can we please have the more talented brother?
by 7footer on Dec 11, 2011 12:08 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
His brother is actually a tweener. Suns have had plenty of those. I’m good with a Horace Grant type who is a true 4.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I'm not so sure
Still bummed about this/
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
I agree. I like Markieff. I hope and think he’ll do well. We needed someone like him.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 10, 2011 8:37 PM MST up reply actions
I still would have gone with Faried, but who knows, maybe Morris can be good
Our last first round pick didn’t work out because of his motivational problems. And that was known before we even picked him. At least that hasn’t been said with Markieff.
Don't trade Dudley!
I would have gone with Leonard
I like the BPA approach, I don’t understand why we got a PF who is destined to be a role player when what we need is an All-Star at the position.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
You mean...
We were gonna get a non-role player with the 13th overall pick??
Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club
Leonard!
Spurs are smart.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
Spurs are hoping Leonard can be Bruce Bowen 2.0
In other words, a role player.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Leonard can't shoot can he?
Bowen was a D and corner 3 guy.
Leonard is an undersized 4. Monster rebounder, but undersized. DeJuan Blair and he on the second unit will produce record low points totals.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I think of Leonard as a poor man's Shawn Marion.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 11, 2011 10:23 AM MST up reply actions
mmm, that’s not what I think of when I watch him. He’s not a gazelle, and doesn’t jump so high that he his head is above the rim (as Marion did in his early years)
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Unless the Spurs make a major signing
I think Leonard will fetch minutes at the 3 for them this year.
He’s very long as a 3, and I think they fancy him as a defensive specialist who can put pressure on the ball guarding several positions. Or, as I said earlier… Bruce Bowen 2.0.
He should practice kicking people when their back is turned.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
But he can't shoot can he?
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kawhi-Leonard-5821/ nope – .290 3P%
Bowen shot .393 for his career (wow – much better than I expected – http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bowenbr01.html), so Bowen 2.0 is a stretch (PUN) until Kawhi learns to shoot.
I think Kawhi is more likely to be an energy guy – rebounding (10.6 last year), defence, steals, assists (2.9 and 1.2 A to TO ratio), and a much more all-round guy than Bowen – who defended and then stood in a corner on offence.
That is the problem all the role players have for San Antonio – they aren’t great floor spacers.
I think Gerald Wallace 2.0.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
I don’t believe Leonard has the hops that Wallace has/had coming out.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
True, but he plays with the same reckless abandon from what I've seen.
Similar to Wallace, but not as good.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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OK, I probably could have stated that better.
But I think the Crash comparison is valid because of the similarities in there games. I don’t think saying Crash 2.0 is accurate because he’s not going to be the same player, but I do think they have a lot of the same strengths. Perhaps Leonard never gets to Wallace’s level, but then again Wallace is a very good player.
Also, have you seen his hands? He has freakishly long fingers.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Glad to see a lot of optimism about this guy
Its been so long since the Suns drafted a good player (that they kept).
trying to stay on the bright side around here
we haven’t even seen him play NBA ball yet so it’s just an educated guess
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
I wish we would just get rid of him. I’d rather have kept Lawal.
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 10, 2011 8:37 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
Carter having a glazed-eyes contest with Boris Diaw. Carter's winning, but Diaw might respond by eating his eyes.
It's just a shame...
…that we couldn’t get Warrick to fit well with the team. The man knows how to finish at the rim with explosive dunks, and at the very end of the season he seemed to develop a mid-range jumper. But for some reason it just never all came together for him…
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 10, 2011 9:36 PM MST up reply actions
All he needs
Is to learn how to defend, rebound and put on 25 pounds
Carter having a glazed-eyes contest with Boris Diaw. Carter's winning, but Diaw might respond by eating his eyes.
... or be played at the SF spot?
Not sure he can play there, but 6’9" 215 screams SF. He’d actually be BIG for his position then.
His only skills are dunking and that elbow jumper.
Not a SF skillset. He’s too small to defend normal-sized posts, yet not quick enough to defend perimeter players.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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He looks plenty quick to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4G5rB6HAI especially the first play, looks SF-esque.
Lateral movement would be my question mark, and I have no answer to that. He does look like a miscast SF though. Maybe in a big lineup with Frye and Gortat, with Dudley and Nash, it MIGHT work.
He doesn't have the ability to guard other SF types out on the perimeter..
And he deons’t shoot well beyond 12-15 ft…Not what we are looking for on the wing….We need a score plain and simple to take some of the pressure off Nash…
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
Nash doesn't 48 minutes
And the minutes he is off hurt us. Hak as a post up 3 when Nash sits isn’t an insane idea.
But I’d still rather like to see the Suns second unit press. Hak would be a good 4 in a press with Morris, JChill, Brown and Telfair. Might make a few second units look foolish.
Warrick played SF for Memphis
for at least a year and a half.
Just saying.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
He also played PF for us all season
Just because he has played at a position doesn’t mean he can play the position well.
BAMF goes HAM.
His advanced stats in 3 seasons with Memphis
(discarding his rookie year) were basically identical to the stats he put up for us last year, with the exception of about 1 extra foul per 36 minutes.
His rebounding rate (around 12% TRB%), while sucky for a PF, is really good for a SF. That’s better than Grant Hill, and only slightly inferior to Gerald Wallace.
So my conclusion is that if he played SF, he would still be a plus on offense, and still be a big minus on defense, but he would be a plus at rebounding instead of a minus.
Hak’s best potential is at SF, not PF.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Either way, a team with him playing significant minutes SUCKS
by BringBackBarkley17 on Dec 12, 2011 11:15 AM MST up reply actions
I agree whole heartedly.
But I think it depends on the lineup. Frye is essentially a giant 2 who stands at the top of the Arc. Frye, Hak and Lopez might work as a second unit. 2 minutes a night, see what happens. Our bench was appalling last year. 60-90 seconds of that unit against the right match up might work.
In any case, a 6’9" SF who rebounds well (for a SF) might counter balance the poor rebounders in Frye and Lopez, and provide interesting matchups.
This team has a lot of rather odd pieces that can be used to create mismatches, either for the opponents or for ourselves. Lets hope Gentry can find a way to achieve the latter.
I get what you’re saying about the stats, but Warrick just isn’t a SF. He’s got PF game in a SF body. (kind of like Gani Lawal had C game in a PF body)
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
This.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
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He had a mid-range jumper before he came to PHX. He apparently left it in Chicago before finding it again later in the season. And Warrick did fit well. He did pretty well at times as the roll man and paint finisher. The problem is everything Nashty listed above me.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
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Time for a coalition to light Warrick on fire, perhaps?
It would look like a matchstick burning, I think…
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
Too bad he couldn't practice tonight
But I found it funny that they had to get the Phoenix Mercury coach to suit up and practice with them haha.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
Boy could ball as a youngster.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Actually, Markieff will be the third twin Sun...
We had Dick and Tom Van Arsdale both for a season way back when.
As I recall, management did it as kind of a retirement sendoff for Dick (who had always wanted to play on the same team with his brother) for being the backbone of the Suns through those difficult early years.
Damn I feel old.
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 10, 2011 10:27 PM MST via mobile reply actions
... and senile
Robin Lopez and Jarron Collins make it five NBA twins on the Suns. And apologies to any others I’ve forgotten..
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
by suns68 on Dec 10, 2011 10:40 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
good catch, forgot about Collins (somehow, haha)
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
Markieff's 70% finishing rate is because he never rolls
Hopefully he gets some run with the starters, Kieff’s jumper and Steve’s passing should be enough to get him some easy looks at the rim.
I hope he starts too
Frye is killer off the bench, where his weaknesses are covered, and his strengths amplified. Frye teamed with the second unit might even help Lopez regain some semblance of being a BBall player.
agreed.
I’m with this. I’d like to see him play 8 minutes to start each half, and have Frye play the rest of the time. They’d both get starter minutes, and I think it would be great for the bench, and to develop Morris as a better player.
Grant Hill for prez.
by sun-arc on Dec 11, 2011 8:51 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
Actually, I think his weakness would be better covered as a starter. In the starting line-up he plays alongside a very good rebounder and defender inside and the best playmaking PG in the game which means open looks for him. Gortat/Frye and Lopez/Keef are much more balanced pairings IMO.
I guess it depends on what you think matters more: who you play with, or who you play against. Would Frye be more effective alongside complementary teammates or matching up with lesser opponents.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
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Frye’s biggest weakness is that he isn’t a big defender, and can be worn down. There aren’t many teams that have a quality bench of big guys – especially low post-scorers.
Would Frye be more effective alongside complementary teammates or matching up with lesser opponents.
Both, but I think the problem with starting Frye is that it wears him down. Starting doesn’t matter (see Lopez versus Gortat last year) – finishing does. Making Frye defend Blake Griffin for 6 minutes to start a game seems unnecessary. Have Morris do that, and keep Frye fresh – if Morris can handle it.
by MMotherwell on Dec 11, 2011 10:00 PM MST up reply actions
Frye/Lopez is a bad front line
because neither one is a particularly strong rebounder.
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
yeah we won’t know until we actually see some action. Gortat had never rolled before either.
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
Odom traded to Mavs for a TPE
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
a TPE to take on Hedo's contract.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
In that case...
Why would Dallas help LAL in its pursuit of Dwight Howard? and still, there was no other team that could take Odom for an exception, to avoid trading him to another contender? I am so confused right now by all aspects of this deal…
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 10, 2011 10:46 PM MST up reply actions
We should have got him for PF.
I don’t see how this helps them with Howard, I think this just means they are moving Artest.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
nope it won’t fit.
The only way the Lakers take on Howard and Turk is to trade Gasol and Bynum. Houston might still play a part there…
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
I don't understand...
Why on Earth would LAL just give one of its top players to Dallas, its rival that swept them in the playoffs, for free? Even if Odom was too disgruntled to return and LAL needed the cap space, why not flip him to a non-contender where he can’t hurt him? Hell, it woulda made more sense to give Odom to us… (wishful thinking)…
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 10, 2011 10:44 PM MST up reply actions
On a side note, it feels like a ghost town on BSotS right now.
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
Saturday Night's (Alright For Fighting)
It just means that everyone else is out partying, while I am here procrastinating on studying for exams or starting my 20 page Tax Protest due Tuesday… #GradSchoolProblems
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 10, 2011 11:20 PM MST up reply actions
I guess...
…I was more thinking of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea0FW9zE7dM
by Bostonian Suns Fan on Dec 11, 2011 12:07 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah I heard the CP3 deal is over and that they're pursuing Howard now.
Pau and Howard together = Oh crap:(
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Dec 10, 2011 10:59 PM MST up reply actions
Nope
it’ll be Bynum + Gasol for D12 + Hedo
"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley
May Hedo bring them bad luck for many many years...
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Dec 10, 2011 11:46 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Hedo in a Lakers uni would be hilarious
The dynamic between him and Kobe would be golden.
by hcblankscreen on Dec 11, 2011 2:20 AM MST up reply actions
They can take our blueprint from last season
and make him the new starting PF hahahaha
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Dec 11, 2011 11:44 AM MST up reply actions
This made me laugh so hard
http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mavs/2011/12/the-mavs-have-acquired-lamar-odom.html
“Odom, 32, averaged 14.4 points and 87.7 rebounds while playing all 82 games last year for the Lakers. He also is best remembered for his wife, reality TV star Khloe Kardashian.”
“Odom’s acquisition puts the Mavs right back on track to successfully defend their NBA title. Especiaaly if they are able to sign Vince Carter, who is expected to arrive in Dallas on Sunday.”
Wasn’t aware Odom averaged 87.7 rebounds hahahaha!!
Twitter: @FredLegittt
I thought you were laughing at the Vince Carter part...
That’s even more hilarious is my book.
by 7footer on Dec 11, 2011 12:14 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
I was laughing at both
hence why I pasted both of them…Vince Carter holds the key to Dallas’ 2nd championship.
Twitter: @FredLegittt
by modernage13 on Dec 11, 2011 12:48 AM MST up reply actions
Dang it's in his other pants
but he’ll find it later guys, I swear!
Voted most likely to say "I told you so"
if the mavs earnestly believe that VC is the finally missing piece they need to win another championship
…then they’re not winning another championship.
Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."
~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"
by u_must_chill on Dec 11, 2011 9:35 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Also:
WojYahooNBA: Lakers had offered Lamar Odom to teams with salary cap space, one GM says. “He wanted out and they really wanted to reduce the tax bill.” [via Twitter]
Better than Warrick that’s for sure…but isn’t he more of a SF than a PF though?
Twitter: @FredLegittt
No, he's a PF.
Just one with pretty decent perimeter skills.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Yes I rooted for Dallas in the finals, but only because they were playing against the Heat
I hate the big three, but I also hate Dirk. I hate Odom and I strongly dislike VC (as well as Dirk, Kidd, and Terry), so the Mavs are back on my most hated teams.
BAMF goes HAM.
that is golden.
now VC is the key to a championship????
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
I can't believe it.
The Lakers gave the Mavs Odom in a sallary dump. A Nowitzki, Odom, Marion front line is going to be a mismatch nightmare.
We could have used Odom...
Just imagine what it would be like:
C-Gortat/Lopez
PF-Odom/Frye/Markieff
SF-Hill/Chilldress
SG-Dudley/Brown
PG-Nash/Dowdell
Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment
I’d feel dirty watching Odom in a Sun’s uniform. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from rooting for him to fail.
borderline adequate
by waxmonkey on Dec 11, 2011 7:40 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm guessing you'll root for Brown to fail too?
Women were the reason I became a monk - and, ah, the reason I switched back... -Morte, Planescape Torment
I sure hope Morris pans out
It looks like the Suns want their draft pick to have clear sailing to minutes.
Gentry said yesterday that defense will earn minutes. We can safely assume Frye and Nash are excluded from that defense-first demand, but a guy like Warrick was just put on notice. Suns are lucky that Brooks is in China. If Telfair pans out, then Brooks won’t sign back with the Suns. If Telfair flames out, Brooks will ride back into the desert and defense-first will be conveniently ignored (replaced by “he doesn’t know the system yet”).
Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun
yeah, I guess that’s part of what I mean by “balance”. By having Morris as an option at the 4, there’s an option for a better post defense, even though Frye has been getting better in that department. It’ll be interesting to see how Gentry uses Morris this first season. I’m hoping it won’t be another Earl Clark situation.
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
No worries for Morris...
With Rolo to set picks, Childress to spread the floor and Telfair to feed him the ball, what could possibly go wrong?
I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.
Don't know what to expect
Just hoping for the best really. I am just hoping he can add some minutes for us at the PF position that we have been lacking (we were killing Frye last season).
I do like what i see. His stroke looks smooth, his footwork looked pretty good in that video, and the consistent rebounding improvement is nice to see. I think it’s just a matter of how quickly he can adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
I just hope that he isn't another Earl Clark...
STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!
I'm repressing the same sinking feeling actually
Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!
Nah, Markieff seems to have a much better head on his shoulders
And a more defined game. He might never be more than a role player but I don’t think he’ll bust.
Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo
by East Bay Ray on Dec 12, 2011 7:40 PM MST up reply actions
Yep.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
He isn't, because he has a defined position
Clark was the classic tweaner.
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