From Bad to Worse: Suns’ Morris Twins charged with Assualt

Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today

Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today

On what can be described as a dark hole that was the second half of the Phoenix Suns season, this story is cherry on top. In multiple trades during the trade deadline, Phoenix traded talented players in Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas as well as sending away prospects in Tyler Ennis and Zoran Dragic. Then Phoenix gave up a coveted pick to acquire point guard Brandon Knight, who has proven to be a decent player, but not better than the two guards the Suns sent packing.

It is safe to say that Phoenix is banking on who they currently have right know to justify their recent roster moves, and that means the Morris twins. And as underwhelming as the Suns season was, now the Morris twins have gotten themselves in trouble with the law.

Yesterday, the Morris’ were charged with aggravated assault due to an altercation at a high school basketball game in January. The police indicated that the twins and three other men attacked a man outside where the game was taking place.

The twins signed contract extensions worth $52 million in fall 2014 (Markieff four-years, $32 mill & Marcus four-years, $20 mill) as well as given more responsibility and freedom on the court after Channing Frye left for Orlando. The Suns expected breakout seasons from the twins but were disappointed.

Markieff had a five minute increase (31.5 per game) but dipped his shooting percentage from 48 to 46 percent; his blocks, steals, assists, and rebounds didn’t increase significantly either. He did average a respectable 15 it but seems like you know what you’re going to get from Markieff as a player. As for Marcus, His minutes increased a few to 25 per game and has a better three point shooter than his brother (35% to 31) but his overall field goal percentage is an inefficient 43% (for a power-forward). Marcus increased his points and his rebounds per game by one (10.4 & 4.8), but hasn’t proven he has earned more than 25 minutes per contest.

Erik Hood, the man that was attacked, was beaten over inappropriate text messages that were sent to the Morris brother’s mother. Hood was reportedly a former mentor to the Morris twins during their high school and college days, but apparently the brothers didn’t appreciate their old friend wooing their mother.

The Suns seemed to be very let down and President Lon Babby released this statement “ We are disappointed to learn that Marcus and Markieff Morris have been charged. This is a serious matter, and we will treat it as such.” (Via Yahoo Sports and AP).

We won’t know how this will affect the Morris twin’s future just yet, but if judicial actions are taken upon them, it could affect their level of play this upcoming season, where they need to improve.

The brothers are now summoned to appear at court on May 7th.