Marcus Morris stirred controversy recently by declaring that Kawhi Leonard was more feared than Stephen Curry in the NBA. Building from that, Morris surprised many when he selected Carmelo Anthony over both Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant during a ‘start, bench, or cut’ segment, highlighting the ongoing Kevin Durant Carmelo Anthony comparison. This discussion took place on the latest episode of Real Talk with MJ, where Morris also opened up about his Philadelphia roots and new role at ESPN.
Morris Reflects on Kawhi Leonard’s Impact and Work Ethic
During the conversation, Morris praised Leonard for his hard work and competitive spirit, emphasizing a shared history as they “kind of grew up together.” He expressed regret over not capturing a championship alongside Leonard with the Clippers and noted Leonard’s dedication to the sport, along with relief that he remained relatively injury-free throughout his career.
Choosing Among NBA Giants: Anthony, Durant, and Leonard
The host challenged Morris with a tough question: to decide who to start, bench, or cut among prime Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard. Morris’s initial reaction showed the difficulty of the question, but he ultimately chose to cut Kawhi Leonard despite acknowledging his defensive versatility.
“Couple of questions … Start, bench, cut. We’ve got prime Melo [Carmelo Anthony], prime KD [Kevin Durant], prime Kawhi,”
—MJ, Host
“Hey, that’s though bro. I am going with … cutting Kawhi.”
—Marcus Morris
“Even though he played both sides of the ball, you know what I mean? I am cutting wide open because them other two monsters, they scored just too well. And you know what? I am going to get the edge to Melo. I am bringing KD off the bench.”
—Marcus Morris
Why Carmelo Anthony Holds the Edge in Morris’s View
Morris revealed a deep personal connection to Carmelo Anthony, admiring his scoring ability since his youth. He credited both Anthony and Durant as phenomenal scorers but gave the edge to Anthony based on his style and impact.
“Melo … s***, when I was young, that’s the only player I used to watch. Like Melo was my guy, you know what I mean. He scored it crazy. KD scored crazy too. They already know that’s just my preference. Both, crazy amazing players, amazing scores if we are just talking about straight buckets. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea but the s*** Melo used to do, I was always a fan of,”
—Marcus Morris
Recognizing Carmelo Anthony’s Career Achievements
The host acknowledged that Anthony’s accomplishments are often overlooked because of the NBA’s strong focus on championship rings. With ten NBA All-Star selections and six All-NBA Team honors, Anthony’s record attests to his skill and consistency. Morris’s choice highlighted a preference for scoring prowess and personal admiration, offering a fresh perspective on the ongoing debates between these elite players.