Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

+4
kdp59
RosalieTCeltics
Shamrock1000
bobheckler
8 posters

Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobheckler Fri Jul 07, 2017 4:30 pm

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/misc-070717-morris-brings-grit-versatility-celtics-frontcourt



Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt 170707morris



Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt



Posted: Jul 07, 2017



By Taylor C. Snow |  @taylorcsnow
Celtics.com



July 7, 2017




BOSTON – The Boston Celtics made their first major move of the summer Friday as they traded Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round draft pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Marcus Morris.

The departure of Bradley, a two-way stud and fan-favorite in Boston, may be a tough pill to swallow at first, but the Celtics are getting back an experienced, gritty leader who should fit well into the Celtics’ small-ball system, while also filling a frontcourt void.

Morris is a six-year veteran who has put up career averages of 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc. During his first four seasons, he served as a role player for Houston and Phoenix, but his playing time and production began to spike two years ago when he signed with the Pistons.

The 27-year-old was a full-time starter over the last two seasons in Detroit, where he averaged 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, all while playing 32.5 minutes per contest. His contributions, however, went well beyond his statistical production.

Morris could be described as the motor of the Motor City basketball squad. He’s as tough as nails, he’s physical and he can defend any position. He’s also incredibly durable, having missed just six total games over the last four seasons.

Moreover, Morris’ style of play should allow him to thrive in Boston, while mutually benefiting his teammates. He’s a strong 3-point shooter and has a deadly mid-range game. This means he should fit seamlessly into the Celtics’ pace-and-space offense.

Morris, much like Jae Crowder, is able to play the 3 and the 4 interchangeably. Boston’s starting frontcourt could potentially consist of Crowder at the 3, Morris at the 4 and Al Horford at the 5. Those players combined to average 5.0 3-point makes per game last season, which is a strong number for a frontcourt threesome. Morris’ presence in the starting rotation would allow Boston to have five 3-point threats on the court at once, which could create a small-ball nightmare for opposing defenses.

Speaking of defense, that's also a asset that Morris possesses. He is a strong, fearless player who can bang bodies with bigs in the post, and he can also switch out to the perimeter and defend guards. Crowder and Horford are also versatile defenders, meaning the trio should be able to continuously switch like a well-oiled machine.

While the addition of Morris should strengthen Boston's frontcourt, the subtraction of Bradley will bring a void that its backcourt will need to overcome. Bradley's defense was critical to the Celtics' success over the last seven seasons, and his presence will surely be missed. Fortunately, Boston has a pair of young, tenacious defenders in Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier who should be of aid on that end, while Morris provides a much-needed strong, versatile boost up front.



bob
MY NOTE: This is Rozier's moment. We saw him blossom in the playoffs his first two years. We saw his defense start to excel. He needs to improve his offense, because he is the heir apparent to Avery Bradley. We still need length. We have NO length past Al Horford.


.
bobheckler
bobheckler

Posts : 61054
Join date : 2009-10-28

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by Shamrock1000 Fri Jul 07, 2017 5:02 pm

This is heartening. Sounds like Danny did okay considering the circumstances (everyone and their mother knew he had to make a trade fast). I'm a little confused though. The writer says we might start Al, Jae, and Morris. I guess he assumes Hayward will play the 2? How realistic is that? Even if Gordo can play the 2, would that being making the most of his talents? Don't we want to maximize what we get from a max player?

Shamrock1000

Posts : 2702
Join date : 2013-08-19

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobheckler Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:04 pm

Marcus Morris‏Verified account
@MookMorris2
Follow
More
Nothing but love for Detroit!! Thanks for everything. Time to get to it ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️#BostonGottaDOG!!!!!!
1:45 PM - 7 Jul 2017


bob
MY NOTE:  Welcome.  Between you, Smart and Crowder you guys could start your own pack.

.
bobheckler
bobheckler

Posts : 61054
Join date : 2009-10-28

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by RosalieTCeltics Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:21 pm

I am puzzled again?? Bradley 8 plus million, Morris 3 plus million
So why did the Celtics have to include a second round pick, or did I read that wrong????
RosalieTCeltics
RosalieTCeltics

Posts : 39530
Join date : 2009-10-17
Age : 76

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobheckler Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:24 pm

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I am puzzled again??  Bradley 8 plus million,  Morris 3 plus million
So why did the Celtics have to include a second round pick, or did I read that wrong????


Rosalie,

Sweetener, not $.


bob


.
bobheckler
bobheckler

Posts : 61054
Join date : 2009-10-28

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by kdp59 Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:36 pm

Morris contract is for $5M this year and about $5.5M next year.

so we get him for an additional year on the cheap.

PLUS he is 6-9 and not 6-2.

with our  roster right now that is big ( pardon the bad pun).


Last edited by kdp59 on Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
kdp59
kdp59

Posts : 5707
Join date : 2014-01-05
Age : 64

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobheckler Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:41 pm

Brian Robb @CelticsHub
3 minutes ago
One under the radar positive about Marcus Morris? Durability. Here's his games played totals over last 5 seasons: 77 82 81 80 79
reply retweet like


bob


.
bobheckler
bobheckler

Posts : 61054
Join date : 2009-10-28

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by kdp59 Fri Jul 07, 2017 6:47 pm

I love the move myself . I think Danny did a good job with this one.

Hayward wasn't my first choice, but with Brad here it was always a real possibility. After he agreed to come here, there was not going to be enough money to sign Thomas, Smart and Bradley on the open market next year.

with Bradley's long injury history and the fact that Smart and Rozier can pick up much of the defensive slack....getting Morris works great for me

kdp59
kdp59

Posts : 5707
Join date : 2014-01-05
Age : 64

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by gyso Fri Jul 07, 2017 8:51 pm

bobheckler wrote:Brian Robb @CelticsHub
3 minutes ago
One under the radar positive about Marcus Morris? Durability. Here's his games played totals over last 5 seasons: 77 82 81 80 79
reply retweet like


bob


.

Hopefully he does better than that this season, I am thinking maybe 100 games or more. Very Happy

gyso

_________________
Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Logo_f11
gyso
gyso

Posts : 21872
Join date : 2009-10-13

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobc33 Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:24 pm

I like the way you think GYSO!

_________________
I have good vibes about this team, this season and this Forum!
bobc33
bobc33

Posts : 13523
Join date : 2009-10-16

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by 112288 Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:37 pm

Brilliant move by Danny!

Bradley's body could begin to deteriorate as he reaches 28.  His play was always flat out in 4th gear and never letting up which means there is a lot of wear and tear on the body.

Besides you just upgraded your power forward position with a banger who can give you 14 points a night............heads above what Johnson brought.

112288


Last edited by 112288 on Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:49 am; edited 1 time in total
112288
112288

Posts : 7855
Join date : 2009-10-16

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by bobheckler Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:35 am

Marcus Morris‏Verified account
@MookMorris2
Follow
More
God willing no injuries I will play in every game next year as a Celtic and I more than ready to contribute! #beantownbully
10:35 PM - 10 Jul 2017


bob
MY NOTE: Love his hashtag.

.
bobheckler
bobheckler

Posts : 61054
Join date : 2009-10-28

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by cowens/oldschool Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:20 am

Morris will be a huge upgrade over Amir and KO, great trade by Danny.

Sorry to see AB go, but with the salary cap you just can't keep all your players.

cowens/oldschool

Posts : 27195
Join date : 2009-10-18

Back to top Go down

Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt Empty Re: Morris Brings Grit, Versatility to Celtics' Frontcourt

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum