Preview: OKC Thunder seek to even series vs. Blazers after historically poor shooting

Enes Kanter of the Blazers during game against Jerami Grant of OKC Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Enes Kanter of the Blazers during game against Jerami Grant of OKC Thunder during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder center Nerlens Noel (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

End the Morris Experiment

When Markieff Morris first joined the Thunder, it became clear rather quickly he did not fill the role the team anticipated he would. Still, he has remained in the rotation over Patrick Patterson. The decision is a bit questionable because, using the eye-test the team looked better with Patterson on the floor, utilizing their individual stats, the two forwards are quite similar.

However, since the beginning of April, Donovan began playing Morris over Nerlens Noel, that decision is utterly baffling. In the last six Thunder outings, including Game 1, Morris has played 103 minutes, to Noel’s 76 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s obsession with Morris is perplexing, if they do not cut back on his minutes it could cost the team a trip to the second round because when he is on the hardwood, his presence has been nonexistent.