Philly's Morris twins practice in Temple's hall
Markieff Morris slid his feet carefully around a folding chair. He received a pass inside the arc and focused on the basket. He rose for the shot. Swish.
Markieff Morris slid his feet carefully around a folding chair. He received a pass inside the arc and focused on the basket. He rose for the shot. Swish.
Morris made a few shots and sat on the baseline of a practice court at McGonigle Hall on Wednesday before Temple's first basketball team workout. He and his twin brother, Marcus, were preparing for the NBA season with strength coach Chuck Ellis.
The Philadelphia natives and members of the Phoenix Suns usually work out with Ellis in the offseason, a habit they started after they left Kansas. After the workout, Markieff Morris said the city's homegrown players need a better work ethic these days.
"I don't think [there is] enough talent as it used to be," said Morris, a 6-foot-10, a first-round selection at No. 13 by Phoenix in 2011.
"A lot of guys aren't choosing to play basketball or working on the game. I don't know what the ultimate goal is now growing up. . . . Maybe they're just playing to be playing."
If anything, the Morris twins know about playing basketball in Philadelphia. They won consecutive PIAA Class AA championships, in 2006 and 2007, at Prep Charter, and played college ball for coach Bill Self at Kansas.
Marcus Morris said growing up in Philadelphia helped his growth as a player.
"It's just Philly toughness," said Marcus Morris, a 6-foot-9 forward drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2011. On Feb. 21, Marcus was traded to the Suns and reunited with Markieff.