Report: Suns ask Morris to apologize before he can return to team
Dec 29, 2015, 10:05 AM
Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) passes around Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol, of Spain, (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Markieff Morris has served his two-game suspension handed to him after throwing a towel at head coach Jeff Hornacek, but that does not mean he will be back with the team Tuesday.
According to Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Marc Spears, the Suns are asking the embattled forward to apologize to the team in order to facilitate his return.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has asked Morris to briefly meet with him, Hornacek and team president Lon Babby prior to Tuesday’s practice, the source said. Morris has been told he will be asked to apologize to his Suns coaches and teammates, make a renewed commitment to the team for games, practices, weight-training sessions and treatment sessions and attend all NBA and Suns community appearances, the source said.
According to Spears, Morris is expected to attend the meeting and do all that is asked of him.
However, the report also says some in Morris’ camp are a little confused at the requests because the 26-year-old already apologized to Hornacek in person and through text as well as sent out notes of contrition on Twitter.
Morris also has spoken with his teammates regularly during the suspension that cost him $145,455, the source said.
This season has been a struggle for Morris, who in the offseason demanded the team trade him after it sent his twin brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons. He has, by all accounts, been a good teammate since rejoining the team for training camp, but has averaged just 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting .379 from the field. He was a DNP-CD for a five-game stretch earlier this month, and has seen spotty playing time coming off the bench in recent games.
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