Washington Wizards: How Markieff Morris Has Helped The Team Defensively
By Ben Mehic
Washington Wizards: How Morris Helps The Team Defensively
Elite defense has been the Washington Wizards‘ identity ever since Randy Wittman took over for the late Flip Saunders in 2012. Wittman preached defense and the team listened. By playing two versatile big men, the Wizards struggled to score, but the opposition also had a tough time putting the ball through the hoop as well.
After being a top-10 defensive team for consecutive seasons, the Wizards are in the bottom half of the league in defensive efficiency this season.
The changes Washington made personnel-wise affected the team’s ability to get stops. John Wall, who was an All-NBA defender last season, hasn’t been as effective on that end of the floor. Jared Dudley replaced Nene in the starting lineup and Washington’s interior defense suffered.
With less than 15 games remaining in the season, it’s unrealistic to think that Washington will climb the defensive rankings. They are who they are. Washington is going to live and die by the 3-point shot and their defense will come and go.
However, the Wizards have gotten a much needed lift defensively from Markieff Morris.
Morris was brought in by Ernie Grunfeld for his energy and ability to play multiple positions. Most pundits expected Morris to help Washington offensively – he’s capable of spacing the floor and he’s a go-to option in the mid-post area – but his defensive abilities have been underrated as well.
Prior to acquiring Morris, the Washington Wizards lacked physicality. Marcin Gortat and Nene are solid defenders, but neither player is known for their intensity and brute strength. Nene shows flashes of strength, but often settles for jump shots. Plus, at this point in his career, Nene simply isn’t reliable enough to anchor a defense.
Now with Morris in the fold, Washington has been able to do much more defensively.
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Instead of worrying about getting bullied inside, the Wizards can rely on Morris for interior defense.
Morris won’t necessarily block shots nor alter them, but his physicality forces the offensive player in difficult positions.
For instance, on Saturday night against the New York Knicks, the Washington Wizards struggled to contain Carmelo Anthony inside early in the game.
Otto Porter, who’s a capable and versatile defender, isn’t big enough to defend the likes of Anthony, Kevin Durant nor LeBron James.
When the Knicks ran the offense through Anthony – which is, like, every possession – they got clean looks inside.
Here’s an example:
Anthony was fed the ball inside and knocked down a turnaround jump shot over Porter. He was met with no resistance and the Knicks’ lead ballooned.
Washington tried to sub-in Alan Anderson for Porter, thinking that the bigger Anderson would have a better chance at stopping Anthony. The results were pretty much the same.
Once Anthony got the ball where he was comfortable, he lowered his shoulder, shrugged Anderson off, and got the shot he wanted.
Wittman’s in-game adjustments this season have been criticized, but on Saturday, he made the correct change.
Morris had been matched up against Kristaps Porzingis for most of the first quarter. While Porzingis did have some success against Morris, the Latvian is a lot smaller than Anthony, who’s made a living utilizing his size inside of the 3-point arc. Porzingis, while tall, isn’t known for playing physical basketball.
Wittman put Porter on Porzingis, opting to give up size, and placed Morris on Anthony. After that change was made, Washington coasted to a comeback victory.
Anthony wasn’t able to get clean looks with Morris on him. He struggled to get into his sweet spots and was forced into tough, contested shots from the perimeter.
Anthony wasn’t able to back Morris into the paint and get the face-up jumper. Morris continuously put him out of his comfort zone.
After the game, Morris discussed his defensive performance against Anthony:
"“I got a twin brother so some of that that’s in him is in me too,” Morris said in reference to defending smaller players. “(Anthony) is an elite scorer. I was trying to pressure him way out, not trying to let him catch the ball easy. That was my first step, and just contesting all his shots. If he has a good game, he has a good game.”"
Going forward, the Washington Wizards should see their defense pick up. Having Dudley in the starting unit was good for the team’s spacing, but they gave up a lot of size. Although not many teams play big anymore, having a 6’7″ player at the four spot will always cause a defensive decline.
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Morris has given the team a much-needed lift on both ends of the floor. Not only has he taken some pressure off Wall in the scoring department, but he’s someone the Wizards could rely on for defensive energy and physicality – two things they desperately needed prior to the trade deadline.