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Examining Marcus Morris’ shooting slump for the Boston Celtics

By Michael James

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 14: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 14, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeat the Celtics 109-102. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 14: Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 14, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeat the Celtics 109-102. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Morris had a terrific first half shooting the basketball, but his regression has been just as drastic. Which leaves us to wonder which player the Boston Celtics will get in the playoffs.

Around the midway point of the 2018-19 regular season, Marcus Morris was one of the NBA’s best shooters. It came at a good time for him and the Boston Celtics. Morris is in a contract year and was well on his way towards a significant new contract, while the Celtics needed any form of consistent production to win games.

Over the first half of the season, Morris shot a career-best 50.1 percent from the field, 45 percent from three and sported a 64.4 true shooting percentage. Let me repeat, 64.4 TRUE SHOOTING PERCENTAGE. That’s Steph Curry levels of shooting. Our own Ryan Eggers broke down how great Morris’ shooting was in the first half, and while it was almost certainly unsustainable, it seemed the Celtics could count on Morris to knock down a high percentage of open looks off of the creation of Kyrie Irving or Al Horford.

The second half of this season hasn’t been very kind to Morris. In fact, his regression shooting the ball has made it hard to justify giving him significant playing time.

Morris’ shooting since 1/10

41.6 FG%/29.3% 3P/50.1% TS

Yikes.

This is most likely Morris regressing to the mean. He’s not as great a shooter as he was in the first half of the year, but there’s no way he’s as bad as he’s been. So it begs the question: Which version will Morris be closer too once the playoffs start?

If Brad Stevens was going to move Jaylen Brown into the starting lineup for Morris, I feel like he would have done it by now. Morris still provides a level of toughness and defensive versatility that will be crucial come playoff time, so keeping him in a familiar role might be the best way for him to rediscover his shooting stroke.

Next. This time around feels different for the Celtics. dark

It’s up to Morris now to continue to take good shots and stay confident in his mechanics. However, if he doesn’t figure things out and plateaus closer to where he’s been as a shooter, there are two forwards on the bench playing exceptional basketball who certainly deserve more opportunity.

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