Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris talked about the team Thursday with Keith Langlois of NBA.com:
“[Playing for the Pistons is the] most comfortable I’ve been. The most confident I’ve been since I’ve been in the league. 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.”
…
“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. I really show by my work for the most part. I come in and I grind every day – ‘Yes, coach; no, coach.’ I go back to when you do things the right way, I feel like great things happen for you. I respect the game of basketball. 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.”
Morris doesn’t anticipate any issues leading this group of Pistons. He feels surrounded by players who embody the things he most values.
“It’s definitely a unique situation,” he said. “First of all, it’s Detroit. For a guy like me, that’s the perfect fit. We know that we need to come hard, but guys are willing to jell with each other, willing to talk, willing to go out and have dinner and really become a team. I think it hurt us all that we got swept last year. 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.”
The Pistons had a great year a season ago, finishing with 44 wins — the team’s highest total since the 2007-08 season. Heading into 2016-17, Detroit is poised to win even more games. They kept their core together, and addressed their largest weakness (the bench) with the acquisitions of Ish Smith and Jon Leuer.
