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Markieff Morris: 2014-15 Phoenix Suns Player Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates a three point shot by making a gun with his finger aimed at the Oklahoma City Thunder bench in the first quarter at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) celebrates a three point shot by making a gun with his finger aimed at the Oklahoma City Thunder bench in the first quarter at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Markieff Morris
Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (left) and forward Marcus Morris (15) are shown on the bench in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Lowlights:

It must have been disheartening for Morris to deliver in the clutch so many times on offense only for his team to give up the game-winner right afterward on the other end. But even with all those buzzer beaters, most of the low points of Morris’ season came in moments that had little to do with actually being on the court.

First of all, there were all those technical fouls. Any time you have a technical foul compilation video on YouTube halfway through the season, you know you’re probably doing something wrong:

Showing a little passion and getting T’d up every now and then isn’t the end of the world, but Keef’s outbursts came out of foolishness and anger more often than passion. For example, with the Suns trailing the San Antonio Spurs by three with two minutes to play on Jan. 9, Morris and P.J. Tucker got back-to-back technicals that wound up costing Phoenix the game.

Speaking of the Spurs, following a 101-74 blowout loss to the defending champs at home on Feb. 28, Morris chose that moment to call out the fans of US Airways Center. He had questioned the fans the game before, after a big OT win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, but by going on the record after the Spurs loss, he came off as a sore loser unwilling to own up to his part in the team’s ugly defeat.

Basically, it’s probably not a good idea to call out a fair-weather fan base the night after you set a new franchise-low for points in a single half (24).

Finally, as much as I’d like to keep the focus strictly on Keef’s season on the court, we have to mention the felony aggravated assault charges. The results of those charges won’t come about for some time, but since the news about the investigation first leaked out during the regular season, we have to include it.

Simply put, if these allegations are true, this is unacceptable behavior for a franchise trying to rebuild. Even on bargain contracts, the Suns would have to at least consider trading away the twins if they’re found guilty. Remember when Jason Kidd‘s domestic abuse situation caused the Suns to panic-trade him?

At the time, Kidd was a top-five point guard. The Morrii are not even close to being top-five in the league at their positions.

The Morris twins are innocent until proven guilty, and we won’t have a firmer grasp on how this situation will play out until their first court date on May 7. But after what we’ve seen from Markieff Morris and his temper on the court, would anyone be surprised if it were all true?

Next: Highlights

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