Morris ready to do 'whatever it takes' to help Pistons succeed
Marcus Morris wasn't happy about the circumstances that brought him to the Motor City, but his tune has changed since last summer.
Five years and three teams into his NBA career, the forward believes he's finally found a "perfect fit" with the Detroit Pistons, thanks in large part to the bond he's formed with head coach Stan Van Gundy. Now he's ready to lead his team to a second straight playoff run.
"The most confident I've been since I've been in the league," the former first-round pick told Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. "I'm just trusting in my work, trusting in Stan Van Gundy. He's been straight up and down with me since I've been here and I've been straight up and down with him."
Van Gundy has called Morris one of the most professional players he's met in 20 years in the league, and has entrusted him with a leadership role. The Philadelphia native, who at 27 is one of the oldest players on the team, is ready to be a more vocal locker-room presence.
"I definitely take what Stan is saying, that I have to really step into the forefront and show that I'm one of the guys that's going to be a leader of this team," he said. "I really show by my work for the most part. I come in and I grind every day ... I try to lead by example, but I definitely understand where he's at when he says he wants me to be more vocal, wants me to call out guys a little more, and I'm willing to do it.
"Whatever it takes for the Detroit Pistons to be in the playoffs next year, that's what I'm willing to do."
He and his teammates are motivated by last postseason, when they experienced a quick first-round exit at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I think it hurt us all that we got swept last year," he admitted. "We all come back with a chip on our shoulder. This year, with the stakes a little higher, guys are maturing and understanding what's at stake."
Morris has done some maturing himself. He didn't handle his unceremonious departure from the Phoenix Suns well, furious about being separated from his twin brother, Markieff Morris. But he's learned from the ordeal, and has a new outlook.
"I'm happy I went through the things I did to get to the point I am now," he said. "I'm blessed to be here today and blessed to be around these guys and blessed Stan gave me the opportunity to come in here and play right away. Blessed to be here."
Morris averaged career highs of 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 80 games in his first run with the Pistons.