Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
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Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/10/celtics_marcus_morris_take_it_slow
Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
Steve Bulpett Monday, October 23, 2017
The Celtics are not going to find one player to replace Gordon Hayward, but they are a little closer to adding a big forward who can score.
Marcus Morris is hoping to get into the rotation this week after arriving late to training camp because of his legal matter in Arizona and then dealing with left knee soreness that cost him the club’s first three games. Brad Stevens said Morris will be reevaluated this week, but if he can participate in today’s practice, there is at least a chance that Morris could see time against the Knicks here tomorrow night.
As one would expect, the Celts are being cautious.
Their season plan was rocked when Hayward went down with a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle last Tuesday, but Morris is very much capable of increasing his expected role. While Hayward was an All-Star who averaged 21.9 points last season, Morris was far from a slouch in Detroit, going for 14 a game. And with the talent around him here, he could have even better looks at the bucket.
But, to repeat, the C’s will be careful not to rush him.
“Obviously it will be important for our group,” said Al Horford of a Morris infusion, “but we’ve got to play with what we have until Marcus gets back. That means there’s an opportunity for other guys to step up and get some experience.
“And at the end of the day, I want Marcus to be able to come back and be healthy and feel good. We don’t want any setbacks, so as much as we want him out there, he needs to get healthy.”
Morris is in step with the process set out by the Celts’ medical staff, but he admitted that Hayward’s injury only serves to increase his already strong desire to debut with the team that acquired him in the Avery Bradley trade.
“It does, but there’s a long season left, a lot of season,” Morris said. “I want to play, but I’m just doing what’s best for my knee.”
And he believes that his best will be a boost to the Celts. The club is in need of what he can provide.
“Definitely,” said Morris. “Just adding some more veteranship out there, somebody able to score the ball in different ways and things like that.”
The 28-year-old doesn’t foresee any problem fitting into a new system. In fact, the way the Celtics move the ball and dig in on defense is natural for his game.
“As soon as I get there, I think it’ll be fine,” Morris said. “I’m a veteran. This is my seventh year in the league. I’ve just got to move around and cut. I think it’ll be very easy for me. It’s just playing basketball the right way.”
The right way will also now include maybe a little more attention to the hoop because of Hayward’s absence. Morris is ready to score more when the situation arises.
“Oh, man, of course,” he said. “We’ve got to continue to fill that void, and I’m the next guy to step up. I think I’ll definitely be asked to do more on the offensive end. My scoring load has to go up.”
That load is being shared by many, including some very young people. The Celts are now starting a rookie (Jayson Tatum) and a second-year player (Jaylen Brown) who turns 21 tomorrow.
“I mean, our young guys are getting a chance to grow up sooner than later,” said Morris. “It was very, very unfortunate what happened to G. You just pray everything goes well for him. But the season’s going to continue on. It doesn’t stop. So young guys have to grow up and everyone has to continue to play and continue to get better.
“Those first two losses came down to the stretch, so it’s not like we were getting blown out. They were two hard-fought games, and we just took the L.”
Said Horford, “The young guys are being thrown into the fire. Just being new and having to learn a lot of new concepts would be tough enough, but then you add in the fact that these guys don’t have much NBA experience, and that makes it even harder. It’s a challenge. There’s a lot more being asked of them, but we’re going to keep coming together.”
The togetherness will no doubt be helped along when Morris puts on a uniform.
bob
MY NOTE: Marcus Morris is not an efficient scorer. He shot 41.8% last year (42.8% career, so last year wasn't a big aberration) and 33.1% from 3 (35.5% career). I'm hoping/expecting these numbers to come up this year under Brad. He's also an underwhelming rebounder (5.1 rebounds/36mpg). Some of that might have been playing alongside Drummond and Baynes but he needs to improve that area as well.
.
Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
Steve Bulpett Monday, October 23, 2017
Credit: Matt Stone
WATCH YOUR MOUTH: Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was fined $25,000 for using inappropriate language in response to a fan Friday night in Philadelphia. Staff photo by Matt StoneThe Celtics are not going to find one player to replace Gordon Hayward, but they are a little closer to adding a big forward who can score.
Marcus Morris is hoping to get into the rotation this week after arriving late to training camp because of his legal matter in Arizona and then dealing with left knee soreness that cost him the club’s first three games. Brad Stevens said Morris will be reevaluated this week, but if he can participate in today’s practice, there is at least a chance that Morris could see time against the Knicks here tomorrow night.
As one would expect, the Celts are being cautious.
Their season plan was rocked when Hayward went down with a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle last Tuesday, but Morris is very much capable of increasing his expected role. While Hayward was an All-Star who averaged 21.9 points last season, Morris was far from a slouch in Detroit, going for 14 a game. And with the talent around him here, he could have even better looks at the bucket.
But, to repeat, the C’s will be careful not to rush him.
“Obviously it will be important for our group,” said Al Horford of a Morris infusion, “but we’ve got to play with what we have until Marcus gets back. That means there’s an opportunity for other guys to step up and get some experience.
“And at the end of the day, I want Marcus to be able to come back and be healthy and feel good. We don’t want any setbacks, so as much as we want him out there, he needs to get healthy.”
Morris is in step with the process set out by the Celts’ medical staff, but he admitted that Hayward’s injury only serves to increase his already strong desire to debut with the team that acquired him in the Avery Bradley trade.
“It does, but there’s a long season left, a lot of season,” Morris said. “I want to play, but I’m just doing what’s best for my knee.”
And he believes that his best will be a boost to the Celts. The club is in need of what he can provide.
“Definitely,” said Morris. “Just adding some more veteranship out there, somebody able to score the ball in different ways and things like that.”
The 28-year-old doesn’t foresee any problem fitting into a new system. In fact, the way the Celtics move the ball and dig in on defense is natural for his game.
“As soon as I get there, I think it’ll be fine,” Morris said. “I’m a veteran. This is my seventh year in the league. I’ve just got to move around and cut. I think it’ll be very easy for me. It’s just playing basketball the right way.”
The right way will also now include maybe a little more attention to the hoop because of Hayward’s absence. Morris is ready to score more when the situation arises.
“Oh, man, of course,” he said. “We’ve got to continue to fill that void, and I’m the next guy to step up. I think I’ll definitely be asked to do more on the offensive end. My scoring load has to go up.”
That load is being shared by many, including some very young people. The Celts are now starting a rookie (Jayson Tatum) and a second-year player (Jaylen Brown) who turns 21 tomorrow.
“I mean, our young guys are getting a chance to grow up sooner than later,” said Morris. “It was very, very unfortunate what happened to G. You just pray everything goes well for him. But the season’s going to continue on. It doesn’t stop. So young guys have to grow up and everyone has to continue to play and continue to get better.
“Those first two losses came down to the stretch, so it’s not like we were getting blown out. They were two hard-fought games, and we just took the L.”
Said Horford, “The young guys are being thrown into the fire. Just being new and having to learn a lot of new concepts would be tough enough, but then you add in the fact that these guys don’t have much NBA experience, and that makes it even harder. It’s a challenge. There’s a lot more being asked of them, but we’re going to keep coming together.”
The togetherness will no doubt be helped along when Morris puts on a uniform.
bob
MY NOTE: Marcus Morris is not an efficient scorer. He shot 41.8% last year (42.8% career, so last year wasn't a big aberration) and 33.1% from 3 (35.5% career). I'm hoping/expecting these numbers to come up this year under Brad. He's also an underwhelming rebounder (5.1 rebounds/36mpg). Some of that might have been playing alongside Drummond and Baynes but he needs to improve that area as well.
.
bobheckler- Posts : 61300
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
I felt better about the fit with Hayward and Horford under Stevens. A bit worried that a low efficiency Kyrie we've seen the last 3 games will keep Morris at low efficiency as well in a stagnant offense.
KyleCleric- Posts : 1037
Join date : 2012-05-10
Age : 37
Re: Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
KyleCleric wrote:I felt better about the fit with Hayward and Horford under Stevens. A bit worried that a low efficiency Kyrie we've seen the last 3 games will keep Morris at low efficiency as well in a stagnant offense.
Hey Kyle I do not think Kyrie had low efficiency the 1st game. The second game he was horrible. The third game he was below average but made big shots down the stretch to help secure the win.
Morris is not a good shooter but he is an above average defender. It will take some time to figure things out.
The entire team is going through a adjustment period. We do not know how long it will take for this team to mesh well together. I have faith in coach Stevens ability to get the most out of his players.
I also like the over roster. A lot of players have ceilings that are way over their heads. There is plenty of room for improvement across the board.
This team reflects a rebuild on top of a rebuild. It is a most unique situation.
Go Celts!
Dboss
dboss- Posts : 18730
Join date : 2009-11-01
Re: Celtics, Marcus Morris take it slow
so I just saw a headline that said Morris is shooting for the Oct 30 against SA to come back.
any word on Smart for tonight's game?
we need him back for sure, we can barely field a full game time roster at this point.
all the story's about how well Bird plays defense and how ready he is, has me thinking we may have our 15 man roster ( 14 without Gordon) right now, just need to make it official.
Just some random thoughts before our next game
any word on Smart for tonight's game?
we need him back for sure, we can barely field a full game time roster at this point.
all the story's about how well Bird plays defense and how ready he is, has me thinking we may have our 15 man roster ( 14 without Gordon) right now, just need to make it official.
Just some random thoughts before our next game
kdp59- Posts : 5709
Join date : 2014-01-05
Age : 64
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