Draft Pick Scouting Report: #13 Markieff Morris
For the past two offseasons, we have been looking at players coming to the NBA after playing at least as season overseas. With the lockout, we are going to have plenty of time on our hands. With that being said, I plan on doing scouting reports for each of the 30 first round picks from this past draft.
Past Editions: Kyrie Irving (#1) | Derrick Williams (#2) | Tristan Thompson (#4) | Jonas Valanciunas (#5) | Jan Vesely (#6)| Bismack Biyombo (#7) | Brandon Knight (#8) | Kemba Walker (#9) | Jimmer Fredette (#10) | Klay Thompson (#11) | Alec Burks (#12)
With the 13th pick, the Phoenix Suns drafted forward and twin, Markieff Morris. For the past couple of seasons, it seemed that the Suns have employed the worst brother of a NBA tandem, but with the selection of Markieff Morris, the Suns might have finally got the better brother on their team.
Strengths
Post Play
This past season with the Kansas Jayhawks, Markieff Morris really showed that he knows how to play with his back to the basket. 34.1% of his touches on offense were post touches, and he was able to uses those possessions very efficiently. Out of the 157 post possessions that Morris had this past season, he scored 152 points, posting a PPP of 0.968, which put him in the top 16% among all college players while shooting 50.9%. Counting foul shots, Morris scored on 51% of his post possessions. One of the things that makes Morris so effective in the post is that he knows how to use his body to work for position allowing him to get exactly where he wants before he makes the catch on the block:
What I like about Morris and his post game is that he is a smart player. In the above clip, Morris wants the basketball right on the block, however his defender fronts him. Instead of trying to get in front and making more work for himself, he simply puts his arm into his defender’s back and pins him, providing a passing lane for his teammate at the top of the key. Once he makes the catch, he recognizes that he needs to go up quickly to avoid the help coming on the weakside.







