On Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they officially signed veteran forward Marcus Morris for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Morris originally signed a 10-day contract with the Cavs on Mar. 18.
Now in his 13th season, Morris was the 14th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. This season, he’s played six games for the Cavs. In those contests, he’s averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game. He’s also shooting 44.4 percent from 3.
Cavs Secure Veteran Toughness Ahead of Playoffs
Upon agreeing to a 10-day contract with Cleveland, Morris cited his relationship with Cavs head coach JB Bickerstaff as what spurred his decision to join the team.
“It’s funny ‘cause we wasn’t even talking about me joining (the Cavs),” Morris says. “We was just having natural conversation and just talking basketball… We both just came to an agreement of coming over here and trying to help the team…”
In detailing what he likes about Morris, Bickerstaff says “just a level of professionalism.”
“A guy who’s been through all the trials and tribulations of the NBA,” Bickerstaff explains.
“A ton of experience. There’s a toughness to him. A grit to him. A reputation around this league of what his peers think about him and how they respect him. Then obviously his ability to make shots and compete on the floor.”
In his debut with the Cavs, Morris recorded 14 points on 4-5 shooting from 3 in a win against the Indiana Pacers. A week later, Morris gets ejected from a game against the Charlotte Hornets for delivering an elbow to four-year pro Nick Richards.
Old School Mentality
“I just wanted to be physical,” Morris explains, per ESPN News Services.
“Like I told the player (Richards), I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I’m just trying to set the tone, man. You’re rolling down the paint, catching lobs and we’re trying to stop that type of (stuff).”
“There’s been a lot of grueling games,” Morris he continues, “and I was just wanted to toughen us up.”
“Step in front of it like, listen this is what’s going to be expected moving forward, not just for today. Set the precedent going into the playoffs. We’re not about to have anybody coming in here and doing what they want to do.”
Bickerstaff believes Morris’ “old school mentality” changed the game for the Cavs. Tied 20-20 after the first quarter, Cleveland overcame their slow start to win by 23 points. A day later, Morris has bypassed the second 10-day contract players usually sign, skipping straight to the standard deal.
Suffice it to say, the Cavs are happy to have him. A player who provides the toughness they sorely lacked against the New York Knicks last postseason, Morris will be an x-factor for the Cavs in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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