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Boston Celtics: Marcus Morris Fills 6th Man Role Perfectly

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 8: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 8, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 8: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 8, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Marcus Morris is exactly what the Boston Celtics need coming off the bench

The Boston Celtics are still figuring out exactly what their rotation is going to look like. There is a lot set in stone right now, but there is still some questions about the final starting position. It looked like Marcus Morris was going to takeover the position full time. Then he was sent back to the bench, and even if he may not like it, he can flourish in that sixth man role.

There is little debate as to whether or not Morris is a better player than Aron Baynes. He is much more dynamic and has a lot more ways that he is able to impact the game. Morris can create offense while holding his own on defense, and he can do great things with the starters.

On the bench, however, his strengths become even more important. The Celtics have plenty of players that can create offense on the starting unit, and they have plenty of players that can be trusted to his their shot.

The second unit, on the other hand, has no go to scorer, and almost no reliable shooting whatsoever. They have Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart who can instigate the offense, but they need someone that can hit the shots on a consistent basis, and someone who can bail out the offense when things are not going well.

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Morris can do both of those things phenomenally. He can run wild and create as much offense he wants, without getting in the way of some of the more talented offensive players on the starting unit. Morris can really unleash while playing off the bench, because he is the top scoring option for that unit.

Morris has also already produced the way they need. Morris had 17 points, and was just off of a team lead with finishing at +13 against the 76ers, then he followed it up with 17 points and eight rebounds against the Suns. Morris can bring a spark every single time he comes off the bench, and it makes Rozier and Smart’s job a lot easier knowing they have a player they can trust to hit the shots they can create for him.

Obviously, Morris would prefer to be with the starters. He wants to be playing the most important minutes with the best players, but that is not Brad Stevens’ priority. Stevens needs to find the best way all these pieces can work together, and Morris is the only one who can bring that true sixth man scoring off the bench.

Baynes cannot create offense like him, so he does not have as much value on the second unit. With the starters, he can hold things together on defense, and bring a bit more reliability than Morris. Stevens is looking to get the biggest impact from every player, and that is impossible with Morris starting and Baynes coming off the bench.

Morris will also get more freedom playing off the bench. He is one of the team leaders in shot attempts per game, behind only Jaylen Brown and Kyrie Irving. The Celtics do not want Morris to be taking less shots, but they do not want him to be taking shots away from the starters.

On the second unit, the Celtics want him to be taking everyone’s shots, because no one else can shoot reliably. He does not have to be as worried about making mistakes, because the alternative may not have been that great either.

With the starters, Morris needs to be integrated in the flow of the offense, and take what is given to him. The problem is not that Morris is incapable of that, because he can have great value in that role. That role is still limiting Morris, and there are times where he tries to take matters into his own hands, and that hurts the starting unit.

Morris may feel as though he is the best player to be in that starting position, but you cannot argue with the results so far. The second unit scoring was the worst part of this team, and was miserable across the board. It is small sample size, but Morris is transforming what this second unit looks like.

Smart and Rozier are starting to make some progress with the shooting, which is the most important thing, but there is a great level of trust that Morris will consistently bring that offensive spark, whereas the other two are not as reliable as shooters.

Next: Stevens Has All The Trust in Tatum

There is a good chance that the rotaiton could continue to change, and Stevens may pick that last started based on matchups. Morris has been too important coming off the bench to not keep it this way, and if he keeps this up he could sneak up in the sixth man of the year race.

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