Markieff Morris is now a SUN

[AsUdUdE]

So.. that just happend... time to try and talk myself into this guy being servicable...

Here is the questions to everyone..

what is Markief's ceiling?

What is his Floor?

What player does he remind you of?

Thoughts?

 

[Gaddabout]

The moment Biyombo left the board I would've traded the pick for the first team that offered me a future second rounder. Trade down to the 20s and take a good reach there. Just because you have the #13 pick doesn't mean you have to draft there. There wasn't #13 value on the board. You trade it away and go get a Euroepean center you can stash away (especially with the lockout right around the corner).

 

[AzStevenCal]

The moment Biyombo left the board I would've traded the pick for the first team that offered me a future second rounder. Trade down to the 20s and take a good reach there. Just because you have the #13 pick doesn't mean you have to draft there. There wasn't #13 value on the board. You trade it away and go get a Euroepean center you can stash away (especially with the lockout right around the corner).

Yeah, that wouldn't have been a bad way to go. Maybe even find a mid to late 20's team willing to give us a future 1st to go along with the swap. I don't really like watching Bill Self coached teams so I haven't watched Kansas play a lot but I'd have felt a little bit better if a KU fan was in here raving about this guy.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

He will probably be a big body to throw against other bigs. I see him as being the guy in games when the Suns need someone to be physical. The Suns lack toughness at the 4 position with a softy like Frye and a Shrimp like Warrick.

Physically, I think it's an upgrade. What remains to be seen is if this guys rebounding and defense translates. If it does, it's an overall upgrade at the PF position where we need it and that is defensively. If it doesn't, we just drafted a big body to come off the bench and added depth.

 

[dodie53]

weird name

 

[Gaddabout]

Physically, I think it's an upgrade. What remains to be seen is if this guys rebounding and defense translates. If it does, it's an overall upgrade at the PF position where we need it and that is defensively. If it doesn't, we just drafted a big body to come off the bench and added depth.

I think it's pretty clear he's not an NBA starter, now now and not in the future. Sorry, but you don't use the #13 pick on a backup PF, even a good one.

 

[slinslin]

Might cry a lot at night if the Suns don't trade for his beloved twin.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think it's pretty clear he's not an NBA starter, now now and not in the future. Sorry, but you don't use the #13 pick on a backup PF, even a good one.

I would argue that most of the players at that pick were backup type players or players that were not going to be high impact. So...what difference does it make? He was still one of the best defensive players left on the board. Knowing the Suns don't need offensive minded guys....what else was there?

This team gets nowhere by drafting offensive minded guys with no defensive skills. I think we all agree he is probably not a game changer but nobody around that pick was either.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Best case he COULD POSSIBLY be a better shooting version of Carlos Boozer..

but more likely best case is somewhere between Drew Gooden/Nick Collison...

Worst case he starts in the D league and for us a few times and gets his head handed to him and is out of the league within 5 years..

2 awesome options for a lottery pick...

 

[FlubberBlubber]

I was hoping they would be able trade down just a few spots and pick up Faried plus an expiring contract or a rotation veteran (if we threw in Lopez or something). Or get a couple picks and come away with Faried and maybe Marshon Brooks or Tyler Honeycutt with a later pick. I wish we got to see the war room... maybe they tried some stuff like that. Oh well, I'll just hope Morris can really be an impact!

 

[SirStefan32]

I would argue that most of the players at that pick were backup type players or players that were not going to be high impact. So...what difference does it make? He was still one of the best defensive players left on the board. Knowing the Suns don't need offensive minded guys....what else was there?

This team gets nowhere by drafting offensive minded guys with no defensive skills. I think we all agree he is probably not a game changer but nobody around that pick was either.

I agree. I like the pick. We'll see how it turns out, but I am glad they drafted the best/ most physical defender/ rebounder.

 

[SweetD]

I would have to say we may end up like a Rodney Rodgers type SF/PF big body shooter.

 

[TucsonDevil]

All I ever heard about the Morris twins was their lack of motivation or their immaturity. Well, the Suns have the older, procrastinating brother.

The Suns crappy draft streaks continues.

To be fair - there wasn't much on the board - and the league knew it.

 

[PhxGametime]

Best case: Kurt Thomas
Worst case: Brian Cardinal

 

[Gaddabout]

I would argue that most of the players at that pick were backup type players or players that were not going to be high impact.

That was my point exactly. It's why you trade out at the #13 spot for anything you can get late in the first round once you see the higher lottery players not dropping. Tristan Thompson at #4 would've had me fielding offers and Biyombo at #7 would've had me desperate.

Drafting in any sport isn't about finding some steal. It's about getting value with your pick. If you're facing late first-round value with the #13 pick, you trade down to the late first round.

 

[Covert Rain]

That was my point exactly. It's why you trade out at the #13 spot for anything you can get late in the first round once you see the higher lottery players not dropping. Tristan Thompson at #4 would've had me fielding offers and Biyombo at #7 would've had me desperate.

Drafting in any sport isn't about finding some steal. It's about getting value with your pick. If you're facing late first-round value with the #13 pick, you trade down to the late first round.

I get your point from a salary slot perspective but there is some potential there IMO. Something I think this draft lacks later on.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Come on fellas if the Suns would have traded down they would have been crucified on this board for not takin the best player etc

 

[CardsFan88]

Just cruising youtube and other places for stuff with him

Shows his defensive quickness...this sort of stuff would translate well to nba if he is consistent at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfWOf7TUZI&feature=related

I wouldn't say he can't pick and roll, but in this one he didn't
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnTr2pcYQNM&feature=related

Not great shot selection on this one, but the shot looked better than most big men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIni8sahbdg&feature=related

Missing Dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upIAyWVJZ00&feature=related

Baby Hook -translates well to nba to be able to get shot off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F6wPa41-T8&feature=related

Both brothers highlight reel (mostly marcus), shows his athleticism and shot a bit, a spin move along baseline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD6fC5SqLy0&feature=related

Another highlight reel, but just him. Looks like he can 'adapt' on the fly?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFxS1wGDZTs&feature=related

Back shoulder turnaround
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6zfplqqZ5I&feature=related

More
http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/videos/bpSxK_0vF9GpKEzy9FwSbnATusHUBPei

ESPN sports science involving both brothers, tests Markeif's reaction time
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6664287

"Second-leading scorer on the team with a 13.6 ppg average. Led the Big 12 in field goal percentage and rebounding at 8.3 board"
http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=987763611001

Shows a decent quick pass, so maybe he's decent at that too
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6116522

I must say, the more highlights I watch, the more underrated I think his offensive game is. Inside and outside presence is pretty rare for a 'defender'. He's not fast, but he sure is quick. In some of these highlights he appears to be a quicker, better defending, Frye....in a way. (and if you assume he can hit nba 3 like college...big assumption, but a step or so inside of the 3 he seems pretty good.) We didn't draft him to score or shoot, but he can it appears pretty well and other than long range stuff, he can get his shot off quick.

We've said it alot before, but he may be a 'majerle' type hate on draft day player. Or he could suck. I can see some potential. Whether it is realized who knows?? 'Majer'-keif or marqueef? we'll see.

 

[az jam]

He probably was the best available at that time considering the Suns needs and who was left on the Board. This was not a great draft year so I really can't get to upset with the pick as the bottom line is that the pickings were slim. Suns needed a PF that is tough on the boards and good defensively and that is what we got.

 

[Gee!]

The moment Biyombo left the board I would've traded the pick for the first team that offered me a future second rounder. Trade down to the 20s and take a good reach there. Just because you have the #13 pick doesn't mean you have to draft there. There wasn't #13 value on the board. You trade it away and go get a Euroepean center you can stash away (especially with the lockout right around the corner).

Ya thats sounds reasonable.. But remember.. The Suns play opposite day every year on draft day.. Trade away picks when someone is good on the board then pick a player when aint jack squat on the board.. Its getting so lame..

 

[MigratingOsprey]

trade down for what? - it's the NBA

instead of getting 1 guy who maybe wont make an impact you get two guys who maybe wont make an impact?

 

[AfroSuns]

Come on fellas if the Suns would have traded down they would have been crucified on this board for not takin the best player etc

Exactly!!!!

 

[Gaddabout]

trade down for what? - it's the NBA

instead of getting 1 guy who maybe wont make an impact you get two guys who maybe wont make an impact?

History shows the late first rounds and the early second rounds, where teams draft for the long-term, represent the greatest value. It's where you draft a Monta Ellis or a Rashard Lewis or a Michael Redd.

If you're going to take a blind, wild swing, take it where the cost is low and you get more than one shot. Don't just draft because you have a pick.

 

[FlubberBlubber]

trade down for what? - it's the NBA

instead of getting 1 guy who maybe wont make an impact you get two guys who maybe wont make an impact?

Haha that's probably true, but at least when one fails, I can talk about how great the other one is by comparison

 

[Covert Rain]

History shows the late first rounds and the early second rounds, where teams draft for the long-term, represent the greatest value. It's where you draft a Monta Ellis or a Rashard Lewis or a Michael Redd.

If you're going to take a blind, wild swing, take it where the cost is low and you get more than one shot. Don't just draft because you have a pick.

I don't think I would be going out on a limb to say the # of players drafted in those positions that amounted to nothing in the NBA outweigh the number of players that turned into Ellis and Lewis.