PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 26: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets is called for a foul as he goes up against Markieff Morris #11 and Marcus Morris #15 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 26, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The first thing that comes to mind when considering Markieff Morris’s game is definitely not his defense. While he is an excellent, multi-talented threat on the offensive end of the floor, his defense is a work-in-progress. So it may come as a surprise that there is an aspect of defense that Markieff Morris is actually among the NBA’s best at. And it may be even more surprising that it involves his arch nemesis – the referees.
Markieff Morris is really good at drawing charges. Yes, that forgotten stat, and the one that involves him having to play good defense PLUS have the referee on his side. Our sister site, The Hoops Manifesto, is currently the only site that tracks charges drawn, and its most recent rankings have Keef tied for seventh overall in the league with 12 charges taken this season. The next Sun on the list is Eric Bledsoe way down in 41st place with 5 charges drawn. For a player like Morris, who is an undersized post player, using his quickness and athleticism to draw offensive fouls from his burlier counterparts makes all the sense in the world.
Maybe it’s time for us to start to change our opinions on Markieff Morris on the defensive end. And maybe it’s time for Markieff Morris to change his opinion on the referees being out to get him.
