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Phoenix Suns: Are Markieff Morris’ Days In Phoenix Numbered?

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris celebrates after a three pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris celebrates after a three pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Nov 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (right) against identical twin brother Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Keef’s Early Struggles

In addition to all the off-court controversy and public comments about the Suns organization over the summer, there were many who doubted that his complete 180-degree turnaround at Media Day was genuine.

While Morris said all the right things then and has continued to say all the right things about his poor play and subsequent benching, many believed it to be nothing more than an act to save face and boost his trade value back up so the two sides could finally part ways.

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The Phoenix Suns should enquire about "FIBA Kobe" /

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    • After all, general manager Ryan McDonough has never been one to take a loss on an asset like that, especially with Keef signed to an incredibly team friendly contract worth $32 million over four years.

    But it’s a damn good thing Keef has said all the right things, because in addition to his twin brother calling Brandon Knight “soft” and saying Keef looked unhappy as a Sun, Morris’ on-court production has done very little to stir up interest around the league.

    In 17 appearances for the Suns this season, Morris is averaging 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 39.0 percent shooting from the floor and 27.9 percent shooting from three-point range. These numbers represent a drastic drop-off from the 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game he averaged last season while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from long range.

    The Suns are getting outscored by 3.2 points per 100 possessions with their starting power forward on the floor, he’s looked downright lazy on the defensive end and it just feels like he’s trying too hard to make things happen offensively. Whether he was trying to win the fans back or boost his trade value back up, Keef has wilted under the pressure and the Suns have suffered for it.

    Next: The Tipping Point

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