Positional Power Rankings: 30 best power forwards in the NBA
By John Buhler
Markieff Morris
Power Forward, Washington Wizards
Of the Morris Twins, Washington Wizards power forward Markieff Morris has taken a step forward in his game this his brother Marcus has not. Morris has been so important in the Wizards’s rise to the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference this season.
Traditionally, Morris would play small forward, but this is the small ball era. He will start at the four alongside center Marcin Gortat with one through three going John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. in Washington. Morris can guard any forward head coach Scott Brooks assigns him.
Along with Beal’s health, Morris is the x-factor for how far the Wizards can go in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. In theory, Morris is the LeBron stopper on the Wizards defensively. He would have to guard anybody from a Paul George to a Jae Crowder to a Paul Millsap in a playoff series. Morris can do that and will have to if Washington wants to get to the Conference Finals.
It’s almost not fair that Morris is considered to be the fifth starter in Washington. Wall, Beal and Gortat have established themselves as staples in the Washington starting lineup. Porter has had his own rise to prominence in 2016-17. That being said, Morris will set the tone defensively for how Washington playoff basketball will go this spring.