One hundred and twenty seven of the 140 minutes Isaiah Thomas has played across his first nine games in a Nuggets uniform have come alongside Monte Morris in Denver’s backcourt, and it’s only for a few minutes each night that one point guard runs up and down the floor without the other close by.
As expected, its been an adjustment for Thomas, Morris, and the Nuggets who are 5-4 since inserting the former MVP into their lineup back on Feb. 13 but one that all three parties know will be an ongoing process. Following the Nuggets second unit’s best performance of the last few weeks against the Warriors, Morris spoke with BSN Denver about his growing on-court chemistry with Thomas, how it has evolved over the last month, and why he believes that his backcourt partner is on the verge of a big-time scoring night.
BSN Denver: The bench had its best night in a while in Golden State. Your guys’ main second unit lineup outscored the Warriors by 10 points in 14 minutes. What clicked?
Monte Morris: We played well. The ball was moving. We played with heart. We were flying around and trusting each other. We’ve just got to carry that into when we play other teams and not just Golden State.
BSN: What was the biggest difference from how that unit played in the few games prior?
Morris: We just played harder. We were just having fun out there. We were rotating, talking on defense, just sharing the basketball and getting good looks.
BSN: You mentioned trusting each other a second ago. For a second unit that hasn’t played a ton of minutes together, how important is trust for that group?
Morris: I know the second unit is going to get better over time, like we have. I feel like going forward we should be just as good as we were early in the year. We’re just learning each other, learning new guys’ games. Torrey (Craig) was at the four out there in Golden State and me and I.T.’s chemistry is getting better and better every day. We text and we’re constantly figuring out how we compliment and benefit from one another on the court.”
BSN: How has it been adjusting to playing alongside Thomas?
Morris: “We’ve got more of a feel together now. We’re waiting on the ball less. Whoever’s closest to it just brings it up the floor and gets us into our flow. We’re just playing with confidence right now and the Golden State game was good for us. He had some good looks at the rim. He hit me with some good passes. I knocked down a few shots and we got our mojo going.”
BSN: You were playing exclusively point guard this season before he entered the lineup but you did play off the ball in the G League last season. What’s it been like to not have the ball in your hands all the time?
Morris: There’s not much of an adjustment to playing off-ball. It’s the same. In the first couple of games, playing off the ball was tougher but now it’s normal. I’ve learned more playing off the ball from watching film, where I’m going to get my shots from and how to still be aggressive and effective off the ball. It’s good for me and my career doing this too.
BSN: What have you thought of Thomas’ first nine games? Where have you seen improvement?
Morris: Just his confidence. I feel like every game he’s been more under control. Taking his shots still, drawing in the defense, putting the ball on the rim for the bigs if he doesn’t finish. Just the little things. He’s taking it upon himself to be better defensively and I like that. He’s pushing us to be better defensively for sure.”
BSN: Can he make a big impact for you guys down the stretch?
Morris: Yeah, for sure. He’s moving a lot better than he was in his first game back. He’s got playoff experience, he’s been a fourth-quarter closer. He’s going to have a crazy game. It’s coming really soon. I can feel it. He works his tail off every single day. Every off-day he’s in the gym, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a big game soon.”
BSN: Is it difficult to adjust to playing alongside him in the middle of the season when you don’t have a ton of practice time?
Morris: It’s not really hard, it’s just a process. Now once we get stops we can run out and run less offense with us out there. But it’s just a process with anybody that you insert. It throws a switch into things. If it was me coming in it would be different playing with me because I haven’t played yet. We’re at a point now where we understand each other’s games.”
