Don’t miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Knicks, which tips off Saturday at 7 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike & Scal have the call of the game at 7:30 p.m. You can also stream the game through the MyTeams App.
NEW YORK -- It’s a new season for the Celtics, one that begins with seeing a few familiar faces from last season’s squad.
In the season-opener, the Celtics faced the Philadelphia 76ers and ex-Celtic Al Horford.
Tonight, the reunion tour rolls into New York, where the Celtics take on the Knicks and former Celtics forward Marcus Morris.
Morris spent two seasons in Boston, acquired via trade from Detroit for Avery Bradley, who, at the time, was one of the more popular Celtics.
It didn't take long before Morris established himself as a major contributor as a starter or key reserve.
Boston Celtics
And while the exodus of key players from last season garnered lots of attention, often Morris' impact on the Celtics was overlooked.
Still, to his teammates - make that former teammates - in Boston, there was no denying the important role he played both inside the locker room and on the floor.
“He meant a lot,” Marcus Smart told NBC Sports Boston. “He was another guy that you could count on, for energy. He helped us out on and off the court, very versatile. He was a big key to us.”
Morris brought a straight-no-chaser brand of toughness to the Celtics that was undeniable, whether delivering a hard foul, encouraging his teammates to keep playing in a rough stretch, or making a tough shot and, if he feels the need, get in the face of an opponent.
And even as the Celtics were shifting towards younger, more versatile hybrid forwards Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward, Morris made it impossible for coach Brad Stevens to leave him out of the mix.
Morris appeared in 75 games last season (53 starts) and averaged 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range and 44.7 percent from the field.
More than the numbers, Morris was among the first to sound the alarm that something was not right last season long before the Celtics were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs despite entering the season on the short list of title contenders.
He was particularly candid following a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers right after the trade deadline, which, at that time, left the Clippers extremely short-handed.
“We ain’t the tougher, more aggressive team. That’s the bottom line,” Morris said at the time. “It’s not fun, it’s not fun. We’re not competing at a high level. Even though we’re winning, it’s not fun. When I look at us, I see a bunch of individuals.”
As time wore on, Morris’ words proved to be correct and it factored in his departure as well as other key players such as Kyrie Irving (now in Brooklyn) and Horford.
In New York, Morris seems to have found peace with a youthful group that brings a similar, rugged mindset to the floor.
“There’s a lot of dogs,” Morris said of the Knicks’ roster which is more about building towards the future than contending for the postseason right now.
And for those unsure of what Morris means by “dogs”…
“You ever seen me play?” he asked reporters at his introductory press conference with the Knicks. “That’s my definition right there. Guys who are not going to back down, guys are going to go out there and compete every night. I can tell you this first and foremost, it’s not going to be like last year.”
So far, the Knicks (0-2) are still searching for their first win of the season.
While they are off to a slow start, it certainly can’t be blamed on Morris, who, in two games, is averaging 18.5 points per game shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 60 percent (6-for-10) from 3-point range.
Celtics guard Brad Wanamaker has known Morris dating all the way back to when they were AAU teammates growing up in Philadelphia.
Like most of his teammates who played with Morris last season, Wanamaker is looking forward to seeing his good friend tonight.
But while the game is being played, all those good vibes disappear, similar to when they saw Horford earlier this week.
“It’s always great to see them, but you know, you always want to win,” Wanamaker told NBC Sports Boston. “You say ‘what’s up?’ before the game, after the game, but during the game, you’re my enemy. We got love and respect for him, but he’s our opponent, he’s in our way now.”
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