Monte Morris wears the number 11 on his jersey. A curious number. I don’t know why he selected it, but the actual numerology is interesting. The number 11 is said to be intuitive, almost to the point of being psychic. Two parallel lines form the number 11, a representation for the constance of anything bearing that number.
Monte Morris is constant, a never ending hub of consistency and impact, with the Denver Nuggets. He makes plays when necessary, fills his role at an impressive rate, and always seems to have a presence about him that helps the Nuggets in nearly any situation. It’s no wonder that Morris seems to be having a career year in a variety of ways.
Averaging a career high 26.3 minutes and 11.0 points per game, Morris has shown a knack for helping the Nuggets win games. He isn’t perfect, but it always seems like he contributes to winning when it matters most.
Maybe it’s the 40-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio during the 2020-21 season, an 8.00 mark that leads the NBA going away.
Maybe it’s that Monte Morris ranks in the 100th percentile as a scorer out of pick and roll, averaging 1.56 points per possessions and scoring on an absurd 69.4% on his pick and roll possessions.
Maybe it’s that Morris’ assist-to-turnover ratio actually rises to 16-to-1 in the fourth quarter, or he finishes at a high rate in transition, or that he plays solid positional defense enough to be on the floor in the fourth quarter.
Whatever the case, Morris hasn’t received nearly enough credit he deserves for being a steadying force on Denver’s bench unit. With so much roster turnover, injuries, COVID-19 absences, and struggles up and down the roster, it’s nice to know that Monte Morris is ever present. When Jamal Murray sat out the second night of a back-to-back, Morris filled in for 24 points, four assists, and just one turnover starting in his place. Over the first 13 games of the season, Morris has scored in double digits in 10 of them, scoring between 10 and 14 points in nine of the 13 games. Morris has hit at least one three-pointer in 11 of the 13 games as well.
Oh, and did I mention he led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio? I did? Well…
The Nuggets extended Morris in the offseason for a reason. They knew exactly what they had in the Flint, Michigan product. He’s hard working, good natured, positive, and exactly what the Nuggets have needed to begin this season. With several factors working against the Nuggets, Morris has been working for them every single night. He contributes in every way, knows exactly what he has to do, and executes to perfection.
Every team would be lucky to have Monte Morris on roster. The Nuggets are the lucky team this time around.
