Suns notebook: Markieff Morris the Wizards’ glue; Dudley and Barbosa get their due

PHOENIX — Suns fans still haven’t forgotten.

They remember Markieff Morris’ ugly, dragged-out exit from Phoenix, and even though the Suns’ trade of Morris in a roundabout way ended well and landed them replacement Marquese Chriss, they let Morris know he wasn’t welcome Tuesday when he returned to Talking Stick Resort Arena for the second time since the 2016 deadline deal.

Hey Phoenix ….. will Kifff and I get boooos or applause? Y'all let me know so I can get right mind set 😅😅

— Marcin Gortat🇵🇱 (@MGortat) March 8, 2017

The Wizards, on the other hand, couldn’t be more content with the 27-year-old forward, his six points and four rebounds on 1-for-5 shooting in the Wizards’ 131-127 loss on Tuesday notwithstanding.

Washington began streaking up the standings over the past few months — they are third in the Eastern Conference — and it’s no surprise Morris’ production has ramped up along with it.

“We wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for his play,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “He’s a glue guy. He really solidifies our team. He’s really stepped out and made threes, he can score down low. He’s been a great teammate. I’ve enjoyed coaching him.”

Since Jan. 1, Morris is averaging 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, shooting 47 percent overall and 40 percent from three-point range. He’s adding 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Morris asked out of Phoenix two offseasons ago after the Suns traded brother Marcus, but he struggled throughout the final months of his time with the Suns. He shot 40 percent overall and averaged 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds before being dealt at the deadline.

The Wizards traded their lottery pick to acquire Morris last year. That 13th pick was packaged for Phoenix to move up in the draft and select Chriss seventh overall. Washington is getting the most out of what was viewed as a solid package heading the Suns’ way.

“I like his work ethic,” Brooks said. “He comes in and does his job every day in practice — doesn’t say a lot. It’s taken me three months to break that. Now, there’s times I can’t keep him quiet. He wants to be challenged, he wants to be coached. It’s been a big part of our improved play the last three months.”

VETERAN HELP

Jared Dudley took Suns coach Earl Watson’s plea to find his team an “enforcer” to heart.

In the second quarter of Phoenix’s loss to Washington on Tuesday, Dudley streaked across the court to confront Wizards forward Jason Smith after Smith set a hard screen on Suns point guard Tyler Ulis in the backcourt. A scuffle ensued, and Dudley was ejected along with Washington’s Brandon Jennings.

Before the game, Watson praised Dudley and fellow veteran Leandro Barbosa, who have quietly blended in with a surging second unit of youngsters.

“I call those guys kind of like the big brothers, keepers of that unit to talk to the guys during timeouts, talk to the guys on the court in transition to kind of set their mindset, even at the free throw line,” Watson said. “And it’s two guys who can space the court.”

Watson also didn’t want to forget rookie Derrick Jones Jr.’s role with the second unit that is lately led in production by Tyler Ulis and Alan Williams. Jones Jr. even started the second half against the Wizards due to Chriss’ foul trouble and to shut down a red-hot Bradley Beal.

“His defense and his presence and his shot-blocking and his ability to sprint for lobs allows Tyler to push the ball deeper in the paint,” Watson said.

Asked about Jones’ defensive strides since he spoke to Jones about a defensive specialist role to start the year, Watson again turned the clock back several games to when Jones and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook got into it.

“Changed the game with Russell, I think we’ve all seen it,” the coach said of Jones’ improvements defensively. “Caused Russ to, you know, forget about basketball for a moment. I haven’t seen anyone challenge Russell the way he challenged him this year. You have to challenge guys in this league. You can’t just let a guy bring the ball up the court because you’re not going to stay in front of Russ anyway.”

Jones played that role again Tuesday, hounding Wizards guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, the latter of whom he covered for Devin Booker to start the third quarter.

KNOWING HOW IT FEELS

Scott Brooks coached the 2008-09 Oklahoma City Thunder and backup point guard Earl Watson to just 22 wins his first year as an NBA head coach.

He knows the cruel business of leading a young, inexperienced team and he knows what Watson is going through.

“It’s the hardest thing for a coach to go through, and a lot of coaches go through it and don’t survive,” Brooks said Tuesday. “There’s a lot of emotions and a lot of stress that goes into every day. Focusing on team is like a distance in (young players’) thought process. It takes time to understand how to be a pro before you become a pro. I think Earl is putting the foundation in place.”

Brooks saw Watson’s passion for the game firsthand. He believes the former NBA point guard had the work ethic to succeed with the Suns, and the results have shown with the Suns winning three in a row heading into the loss to the Wizards.

“You have to be real persistent,” Brooks said. “Sooner or later they will reap the benefits. I think they’re playing good basketball now because of all they’ve done earlier in the season.”

INJURY UPDATE

Watson has no timeline for rookie Dragan Bender to return following surgery to remove bone spurs on his ankle but remains hopeful he can return at some point this year.

“I know he’s improving every day. We have to get him on the court first to get him running and jogging,” the Suns coach said.

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