What's Your Level of Optimism for Morris's Contributions?

[smokeablount]

I posted this in the Avery Being Traded Thread, but figured it's more of its own topic than a trade reaction. Morris isn't a sexy trade target, but that's ok. I'm cautiously optimistic.

 
His FG% and 2PT% are lower than ideal and he grabbed just under 5 rebounds a game in starters minutes the past 3 years, but he did play next to Drummond, a rebounding beast who grabbed 14/per the past 3 years and led the NBA in '15-'16. I'm hoping that next to Al, Morris could jump from 5/game to 7/game.

There really are things to like about him though, especially since we kinda got him for free (besides having AB this year) due to AB's impending FA.  In the past 2-4 seasons he:

-Averaged over 80 games a year in the past 4 years, so he was durable and available.

-Averaged 14 points/game in his 2 years in Detroit, so he can score some (on 12.2 shots).

-Shot 36% on 3's the past 4 years including a down year last year (over 3 attempts/game).

-Competent passer averaging 2+ assists/game, 10%+ assist% in 2 years with Detroit.

-Averaged 4.38 win shares a year in the past 4 years (AB had 3.05, missed time hurt this).

-In the playoffs vs. Cavs in '15-'16, had a great series.  Per game: 17.8 points, ~3 boards & assists, 39% on 3's, 62%+ TS%, 16.7 PER, 11.6 assist%, all on a low 21.7% usage rate.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrima03.html

I hope he rebounds and pick his spots to shoot more on our stacked team, but IMO he has positives.  What do you guys expect from his next year in production and minutes?

[Roy H.]

Also, Stan Van Gundy apparently loved the guy, for whatever that's worth.

[gouki88]

I think the point you make about Drummond could be quite a good one actually. I think he can easily get 6-7 boards here, especially as he'll almost entirely be playing PF.

Sad to see AB go, but a solid guy on a good contract is a good result.

[Csfan1984]

If he plays more in control he is an upgrade over KO and should start next to Horford.

[dreamgreen]

Just be a steady contributor on both ends of the court. We have enough talent around him so he doesn't have to be special.

[max215]

He's a pretty good player on an excellent contract. Ainge did pretty well.

[bellerephon]

I too am cautiously optimistic. He fills a positional need and that contract is very favorable. I wouldn't be surprised to see his rebounding numbers improve, but his scoring total drop.

[Green-18]

I am fairly optimistic considering that Morris has never played on a team with this level of talent.  I would imagine he will post similar numbers with better efficiency.  Assuming there are no more moves I think Morris fits in nicely as a stretch 4. 

[CoachBo]

Also, Stan Van Gundy apparently loved the guy, for whatever that's worth.

Quite a bit, to me.

I respect Ron Jeremy as a coach.

[nebist]

He's a pretty good player on an excellent contract. Ainge did pretty well.

This.  Considering the circumstances the move makes a ton of sense.

[gouki88]

Also, Stan Van Gundy apparently loved the guy, for whatever that's worth.

Quite a bit, to me.

I respect Ron Jeremy as a coach.

Cheeky 

[Roy H.]

https://www.google.com/amp/detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/03/10/with-expletive-laced-speech-marcus-morris-shocks-pistons-to-life/amp/

I love stuff like this.

[Who]

I like his versatility at forward. A SF/PF combo forward. Is big and physical at SF and can matchup defensively against top opponent SFs (like LeBron, Durant). Uses his speed and quickness to create mismatches at PF. Can drive on slower players. Post up smaller players. Can score at an decent level but does so in a multitude of ways and from different areas of the court (so he can find a way to be useful against most defenders and give his team different ways of using him). Scoring versatility. Good transition player. I liked his mentality in the playoffs vs the Cavs. Never backed down. Took on challenges and competed hard. Tough competitor.

[crimson_stallion]

He's a quality player and a nice addition on a very friendly contract.

That said I sincerely hope that we have picked him up with the aim of coming off the bench, because we seriously cannot afford to play a < 5 RPG rebounder alongside Horford in the starting front-court.

[Fan from VT]

I brought this up in its own thread, but we had an obvious crowd at SG and obvious gap at PF, so I figured a lateral move based purely on positions was going to happen. I would say most of the time "lateral" moves feel like a loss because we like the player on our team and have an emotional attachment.


I would say objectively that Bradley is a better player, but there are a couple things to consider; right now, we still have Brown, Smart, Hayward, and Crowder who can guard 2s and 3s, and now we add a guy who I wish was a better rebounder, but can legitimately guard 4s. That really helps. Additionally, he is locked into his salary for this year and next at 5 million and 5.4 million which is a huge value added piece of the equation, since instead of extending Bradley and IT, we have the known valuable salary for Morris and just worry about IT.