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What are Suns fans thoughts on him? Is he going to have a breakout year as the starting Power Forward now that he's going to be relied on more to score? Is he even capable of breaking out as a player, or is his ceiling low? Does Hornacek like him, or will he be on a time share with Frye and his brother? Do you guys have any faith in him being a nice piece for the future for this team or has he plateaued?

He's a weird one Markieff. He's actually probably more skilled than most of the Power Forwards in the League. He can put the ball on the floor, crossover a bit, pull up from mid range, drive to the basket and finish, and he's also got an alright 3 point shot. Needs to desperately develop a go-to post move though. He's not really a prototypical Power Forward, but he has skills that not many other big men have. I like that.

On defense he's very ordinary. Maybe it's due to inexperience, or bad coaching, but he's just not very good. Hustles hard for Offensive Rebounds though, but needs to get in better position on the defensive glass because too often he's left watching as his man gets the O-Board and just lays it in.

He's terribly inconsistent though, and a little bit dumb and lost on the court sometimes. I hope this year is the year where it finally all comes together for him. I know alot of fans will disgaree with me, but I think that he can be a very solid starter in the league (except for times when he thinks he's Jamal Crawford).

He needs a few lessons from your guy in your avatar to really take the next step though.

I think if he gave it his all every time he stepped onto the court he would be a really good player. There were a few times in the pre-season where he crashed the boards, and shot well where he looked like he was determined. If he can stay that way the entire season I will be very happy for him to start for the whole year.

He gets no love from the refs, so it's tough for him to gauge what is acceptable defense. This is a major flaw in the NBA, younger players that aren't deemed superstars right away aren't being taught properly.

As far as a full evaluation, DRK summed up most of it. When Mark puts in 100% and he is rewarded for that effort with fair calls from the refs, he does great, and looks great. If he gets down, or in foul trouble early, he tends to get lazy. Unless he steps up his game, and becomes consistent, avoid ticky tack fouls and uses his legs more on defense, he will only be a deeper bench player.

He is for sale like most others.

Fo-Real wrote:He is for sale like most others.

Hate to admit it but that's how I feel about Kieff sometimes and more so about his brother. If he could be part of a package for a star player in the near future, I'm all for it. I'm not opposed to keeping him long term though since i think his ceiling is an above average bench PF on a playoff team. He has good skills for a big man, he just needs to keep his effort consistent and keep developing.

Frye is a better shooter and defender then Morris, But Markieff has good hustle. I don't think he has the potential to break out. He is undersized on both ends. If he was taller he could of been some what nice.

I love his competitiveness, but he needs to harness that and use it on improving and hustling.

Too often he's yapping at opposition or refs rather than letting his game talk.

He's got legit inside/outside skills but I don't know if his head has the right calibration to put it all together.

I wish he'd STUDY Sheed's game - he's got same size and skill-set as well as the aggression, but Sheed had more drive and better defensive make-up.

TASTIC wrote:

I wish he'd STUDY Sheed's game - he's got same size and skill-set as well as the aggression, b.

R. Wallace is WAY taller and bigger than Markieff.
About his skills, Wallace was one of the most polished frontcourt players that I have seen in my life, similar to Webber or Garnett for example. Markieff is a decent all-around PF in my opinion, but he can not be compared to those players.

Saberestar wrote:

TASTIC wrote:

I wish he'd STUDY Sheed's game - he's got same size and skill-set as well as the aggression, b.

R. Wallace is WAY taller and bigger than Markieff.
About his skills, Wallace was one of the most polished frontcourt players that I have seen in my life, similar to Webber or Garnett for example. Markieff is a decent all-around PF in my opinion, but he can not be compared to those players.

He's FAR FAR from Sheed, totally agree.

Don't agree with that first part - Kieff is 6'10" and 240lb +, Sheed was 6'10" as well and was lighter than Kieff at a similar stage in their careers.

Sheed's back to the basket game was AWESOME no doubt, but Kieff's is there, albeit nowhere nearly as often or as reliable - yet.

Sheed couldn't hit a three to save himself early on, he had 65/235 from 3 (27.7%!!) through his first 334 games, which is hardly a decent shooter.

It took Sheed a long time to get 'it' - Kieff is young enough to still learn the nuances like Wallace did, which was where I was going with that point. Prime Sheed was really a force offensively and defensively, but Kieff is arguably a better rebounder than Wallace ever was...

TASTIC wrote:
Kieff is 6'10" and 240lb +, Sheed was 6'10" as well and was lighter than Kieff at a similar stage in their careers.

R. Wallace, 6' 9.75" w/o shoes.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ras ... lace-4751/

Markieff Morris, 6' 7.75" w/o shoes.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mar ... rris-5179/

And Sheed was longer too.

Saberestar wrote:

TASTIC wrote:
Kieff is 6'10" and 240lb +, Sheed was 6'10" as well and was lighter than Kieff at a similar stage in their careers.

R. Wallace, 6' 9.75" w/o shoes.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ras ... lace-4751/

Markieff Morris, 6' 7.75" w/o shoes.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mar ... rris-5179/

And Sheed was longer too.

Its not hard to see that just by the eye test. Keef is short

Ok fair call there - I did go by basketball ref which has them both at 6'10" but Kieff is heavier still

BEST case for Kieff is Sheed-lite.

TASTIC wrote:Ok fair call there - I did go by basketball ref which has them both at 6'10" but Kieff is heavier still

BEST case for Kieff is Sheed-lite.

Don't you mean Sheed-heavy????

Sheed was more athletic than Markeif when he was younger too. Maybe it was the height advantage but just from watching the two Sheed had better elevation, could be due to longer arms.

Sheed had great length, great defensive instincts, and surprisingly nimble feet for a big guy.

Sheed-lite is a fair expectation, but the GM in me says package him up.

Keiff is legit and should start. Him and his brother need the opportunity to become good starters. Frye is good, but I think he has reached his peak and although he can shoot good, that's really his game.

I think Marcus should start over Green, but I wouldn't argue the other way around. Mook has more potential... this coming from a Spurs fan.

No way Marcus should start over Green after the way Green's been playing.

I think a case can be made for Green to start over Tucker even after Dragic returns.

Bump:

What do you guy think is behind Kieff's improved play?

Is it just a fluke? Or this is just him breaking out due to really good coaching and solid hard work?

Definitely coaching. Idiot Gentry wanted to turn him into Frye 2.0. And then Hunter was just a dumb*** overall.

It would be great to see him sustain this but I think more defenses will gameplan for him now. That should open up things for others but will bring his numbers down

If he can give us like 15 & 7 a night, I would consider that a huge success.

It would be great if the refs respected him getting hit and if he went to the FT line more.