With Markieff Morris sidelined for a month due to injury, the Washington Wizards will have be creative in filling the power forward’s role.
Washington Wizards‘ starting forward Markieff Morris will miss at least one month, after undergoing sports hernia surgery last week.
For those that didn’t catch much Wizards’ basketball last season, this isn’t significant news. But for those who followed the team, this is quite a blow to their starting lineup.
With Morris on the floor, Washington boasted one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. The combination of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Morris and Marcin Gortat finished top 10 in both offensive and net (difference between offensive and defensive) ratings. This group was responsible for 43 of the team’s 49 wins.
Analytics aside, the Wizards are visibly different. when they don’t have the feisty stretch four on the floor. Morris gives the team toughness, and provides a spark when they go through dormant stretches.
Whether it’s throwing down an alley-oop to ignite the crowd, or playing mind games with opponents, the 28-year-old forward is the heartbeat, of one of the youngest teams in the NBA.
Currently, there isn’t a player on the roster that can step in and produce like Morris (finished top three on the team in points and rebounds). Thus, creativity will be crucial in replacing him.
The following are the most obvious options for coach Scott Brooks, to fill Morris’ spot while he’s temporarily sidelined.
Team Small Ball
The league has become infatuated with the “small ball” wave. As long as the Warriors keep winning championships, everyone will continue to ride it. Brooks briefly dabbled with small lineups last season, and had some success.
The most effective small ball lineup without Morris, featured Porter replacing him at the four. While eserve Kelly Oubre Jr. occupied the three position. The group was 2-0 which, in part, was due to their ability to seamlessly switch screens on defense.
This prompted some to question whether Brooks should implement a steady dose of it this year.
Albeit a laughably short sample size, one could make the argument, that with more opportunity to gain continuity, a Wall-Beal-Oubre-Porter-Gortat lineup could be a problem for opposing teams.
It’ll depend on the offensive output of Oubre. However, he averaged just over six points and a meager 28.7 percent from three-point territory.
Stay BIG
Jason Smith was the first big off the bench last year and is a viable candidate to start with Morris out. The team went 2-1 when he started alongside Gortat last season, and unlike Oubre, Smith provides a reliable outside scoring threat.
He shot 47.4 percent from deep and logged an impressive 58.5 eFG percentage.
The only drawback would be his slow feet on defense. This lineup would feature two bigs that can’t defend the pick-and-roll well, which is a large function of today’s space-and-pace offense.
New Guy Alert
The Wizards signed veteran forward Mike Scott this summer, to round out their weak second unit. At 6-foot-8, 237 pounds, he matches up with Morris physically. He’s also been known to stretch the floor, and use athleticism to gain an edge over other power forwards.
According to Chris Miller, of NBC Sports Wizards, his sources believe that Scott can fill in for Morris for a few games.
The problem with such optimism is that Scott played in just 18 games last season, due to lingering knee problems and an admitted lack of confidence. He spent time in the D-League, and was shipped to Phoenix, midway through the season, where he was eventually waived.
Washington needs Scott to regain his health and swagger, if he’s expected to contribute in Morris’ absence.
Brooks’ decision-making will be tested early this season. Everyone will have their two cents to add, until Morris returns.
Brooks is well known for his analytical approach to the game. Therefore, Wizards fans can rest assured, that he won’t cheat the process in creatively finding the right combinations to secure wins.