The Miami Heat have an open starting position at the four spot. Miami has a couple of choices at the four spot too, in P.J. Tucker, Markieff Morris and KZ Okpala.
As of now, I would be stunned if Okpala would be the opening night starter. At the same time, we all know Head Coach, Erik Spoelstra, likes his rotation a certain way, so it is possible.
Miami brought in veterans like Tucker and Morris this offseason to have some stability. I’ve always been a fan of Tucker’s game.
Regardless of if he starts or comes off the bench for the Miami Heat, Tucker will be on the court in the last couple of minutes of the game. Coach Spoelstra will have a hard time taking Tucker off the court because he does all the little things in those moments that are so crucial.
Miami needs to monitor his minutes this season, so he will be as fresh as possible come the postseason. Another intriguing option and another tough guy, though, for Miami to play in his place in those minutes is Markieff Morris.
Morris struggled last year from three, shooting 31 percent. Career-wise, Morris has been a 34 percent shooter.
Over his career though, as a whole, he has been an up and down shooter. If Morris can come up to the 36-37 percent range from three, then that will be huge for Miami.
The Miami Heat brought in some toughness with P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris. Both should be huge, but Morris and Herro off the bench could be really nice.
He could provide an option as a pick and pop shooter with any guard on the roster. Unlike Tucker, Morris can put the ball on the floor a little to create his own shot, depending on the matchup.
Morris also adds a post-up game for Miami as well, as they should look for Morris to post-up a it on mismatches. Defensively, he’ll surprise you when watching his tape.
Morris has a pretty good anticipation in the passing lanes. He stands his ground on switches and does a good job at guarding his position.
He isn’t as good a defender as Tucker, but he is taller and is switchable on the perimeter. Neither Morris or Tucker are great at rebounding.
When it comes to who is starting at the four position, I think it will be Tucker. Even though I do like the idea of Morris starting next to Bam Adebayo, I think Morris will be more of a help to Tyler Herro off the pine.
Morris and Herro playing against second units should give Herro another guy who can create his own shot, at times. Herro needs to be the star coming off the bench and having a guy like Morris to help would be huge.
Morris and Herro can have a two man game off the bench for Miami. For Morris to have a successful season this year, he just needs to hit his open looks from three, get mismatches in the post, and defend his matchup at a solid level.
Even last season and when Morris struggled from three, he still showed skills that I didn’t know he had. With all that being said, I still think he might have a good shot at winning the starting four spot.
You shouldn’t hate the idea of Morris starting either. If his shot is falling though, then the idea of him and Herro off the bench might be too much to pass up.