Marcus Morris is a direct answer to Cavs

[CFAN38]

Aside from the math working out to allow the Cs to sign Hayward and Yabu this trade is perfect in one other sense.

It gives the Cs a potential rotation to match the Cavs in a 7 game series. I view the addition of Morris as an upgrade from JJ. Both players are 4/3s who shoot the 3, defend the perimeter well and give a level of toughness. Morris bests JJ is all these areas. Where this will help the Cs the most is vs the Cavs when they go with their smaller lebron and 4 shooter lineups. Where last year the Cs would match Irving,Smith, Jefferson/Korver, Lebron and Love with IT,AB,Smart,Jae and Al and would give up size at every position except AL. This year will be much different. Now the Cs can go with IT/Smart, Hayward, Crowder, Morris and Al giving them equal or greater size at each position. Couple that with the potential improvement of Brown and the Cs have really improved their chances to reach the finals.

The growth and development of Brown and Tatum may even see the Celts go with one of those players late in the game in place of Crowder. Where Jae is primarily a 3-D player who isn't going to exploit the Korver/Jefferson match up both of the young wings could have the ability to exploit that match up in the Cs favor.   

[droopdog7]

No, it's not.  He was the best option to balance the team and shed salary given the circumstances.

[vjcsmoke]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

I heard about this on the Zach Lowe pod with Tom Haberstroh.

This is good. This is really good.

[Dino Pitino]

We got maybe the best Lebron defender in the league. Takes the sting out of losing the best on-ball guard defender in Avery. Versus the Cavs, getting Morris is a two-way upgrade over Avery.

[Chris22]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

[Dino Pitino]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Per 100 possessions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

For the specific purpose of defending Lebron, Morris might as well be All-Defensive 1st team. Ainge is a genius, lol. Combined with Morris's vast scoring improvement over Amir and Kelly, plus the more favorable contract, Danny won this trade by a decent amount, hence the 2nd rounder.

[Surferdad]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Per 100 possessions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

For the specific purpose of defending Lebron, Morris might as well be All-Defensive 1st team. Ainge is a genius, lol. Combined with Morris's vast scoring improvement over Amir and Kelly, plus the more favorable contract, Danny won this trade by a decent amount, hence the 2nd rounder.

Seems like Morris can do everything that Jae Crowder does, sometimes better, except perhaps a lower 3-pt FG%.  Do we have use for JC any more? I know, I know, bargain contract...

[footey]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Our Dwight Howard stopper when Dwight was all pro.

[SparzWizard]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Per 100 possessions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

For the specific purpose of defending Lebron, Morris might as well be All-Defensive 1st team. Ainge is a genius, lol. Combined with Morris's vast scoring improvement over Amir and Kelly, plus the more favorable contract, Danny won this trade by a decent amount, hence the 2nd rounder.

Unfortunately, it came at the cost of the best perimeter defender in the NBA. And the perimeter game is more pivotal than ever.

[mctyson]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Per 100 possessions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

For the specific purpose of defending Lebron, Morris might as well be All-Defensive 1st team. Ainge is a genius, lol. Combined with Morris's vast scoring improvement over Amir and Kelly, plus the more favorable contract, Danny won this trade by a decent amount, hence the 2nd rounder.

Unfortunately, it came at the cost of the best perimeter defender in the NBA. And the perimeter game is more pivotal than ever.

I think we all have to swallow the pill that is/was Avery Bradley leaving the Celtics under any circumstance at the end of 2018.  So there really is no "cost" as you stated.

[IDreamCeltics]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

The common denominator is that Lebron isn't as effective when he can't penetrate at will.  Morris was a much better Lebron stopper in Detroit where he had Andre Drummond protecting the rim.

[mahcus smaht]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

The common denominator is that Lebron isn't as effective when he can't penetrate at will.  Morris was a much better Lebron stopper in Detroit where he had Andre Drummond protecting the rim.

Andre Drummond really isn't a very good rim protector tho..

[Dino Pitino]

Did you see the stat where Marcus Morris was a "lebron stopper"?  last year Lebron averaged something ridiculous like 36ppg against other defenders but only 20.5ppg vs marcus morris.

TP for finding that stat.
Kendrick Perkins used to be our Lebron stopper strangely enough.

Per 100 possessions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

For the specific purpose of defending Lebron, Morris might as well be All-Defensive 1st team. Ainge is a genius, lol. Combined with Morris's vast scoring improvement over Amir and Kelly, plus the more favorable contract, Danny won this trade by a decent amount, hence the 2nd rounder.

Unfortunately, it came at the cost of the best perimeter defender in the NBA. And the perimeter game is more pivotal than ever.

Eh, I'd limit Avery's superlative to best on-ball guard (his height or smaller) defender. The rest of his defense wasn't so great. We still have Smart, whose overall perimeter defense is superior to Avery's. Rozier is a competent Avery substitute, too. I'd value getting the league's premier Lebron stopper above the toughest 1-on-1 guard defense specialist, anyway, in terms of ensuring better postseason success.

[BostonClamCrowdah]

Nobody is stopping LeBron James

Certainly not a slowish PF