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LA Clippers: 7 Questions We Have After the First 7 Games

By Seth Kimbrell

Dec 11, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) and Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) go up for a jump ball to start the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) and Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) go up for a jump ball to start the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers drives past Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 30: Marcus Morris Sr. #31 of the LA Clippers drives past Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Where does Marcus Morris fit in the rotation?

The LA Clippers haven’t had a chance to see their newly-minted $64 Million Morris twin hit the court yet. Marcus Morris has missed the first 7 games with a sore knee that’s plagued him since the preseason. In his place, Nicolas Batum has been holding down the other forward position.

And the French forward has been performing so much better than anybody really expected. He’s averaging 9 points, 5 and a half rebounds and 3 assists, and shooting 46% from deep.

But beyond his statistics, the ball just moves well when he’s on the floor and guys find the ball coming to them when they’re open. With Kawhi and PG on the floor taking the lion’s share of the shots, it’s been so helpful having somebody to move the ball and keep the offense clicking, while still knowing where to be on defense.

This isn’t a knock on Mook in the slightest. We are undeniably going to be better once he’s back and healthy, and his skillset fits in well with the other guys on the team. But the team’s great performance with Batum in the starting lineup (our net rating climbs by 13.6 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court) has some people, myself included, wondering.

What if Marcus Morris came off the bench? I know, the dollar amount says this is a wild proposition. But Morris could seriously help on our bench unit, and his skillset might work a little better there.

On the reserves, Mook could be the first or second scoring option, and him taking shots wouldn’t be taking as many away from Kawhi or PG. And his hardnosed defense, alongside Ivica Zubac, could help mitigate the impact of playing Lou, Reggie and Luke all at once.

Will it happen? Probably not. And if Lue and his staff think Morris fits better as a starter than a reserve, I have full faith in them. But these first seven games have me wondering if Batum might not be the better option as the starting forward next to Kawhi.

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