Danny Manning's Presence Being Seen Through Morris Twins at Kansas

I've been a harsh critic, as have many, of Marcus and Markieff Morris throughout their careers at Kansas.

Where I come from, inside-out is the only way you play.  Size isn't exactly bountiful in the great plains, either, so if you can be taught to rebound and are even the least bit slower than average, you are a post man.

By the way, the word finesse does not exist in South Central Kansas.  No one is big, so kids have to play big instead.

Naturally, last season the Morris twins quickly became my least favorite people...ever.  (No offense, Marcus and Markieff.)

At 6'8" and 6'9", the lack of toughness, inability to play with their back to the basket, reluctance to finish plays off strong, tendency to float around the perimeter, and every other habit displayed regularly by the twins upset me greatly.

Why didn't these two work some sort of high-low system more often?!  They can practically read each other's mind; the chemistry should have been perfect!

That's enough criticism from me, though.  In fact, I think it's about time that I join everyone else with a little bit of praise for the much improved Morris twins.

They still have plenty of work to do, but I, for one, love the new (and actually effective ) over-the-top and to-the-rim attitude Jayhawk fans are being treated to by the Philly sophomores.

One person in particular that I believe deserves some added praise, though, is Danny Manning.  He's received some recognition for his work with the twins and their improvement, but I can't stress enough how perfect a mentor Manning must be for the Morrises.

At 6'10", it's amazing that I liked Danny Manning as a player at all.  The guy was a natural small forward, but played the game way ahead of his time.  I think my favorite comparison is to Lamar Odom but without Odom's agreeable second or third option mentality.

Danny Manning was a winner.

However, as far as a mentor goes, it's more important to note that Manning was mega versatile.  He's taught the Morris twins that winning means doing whatever the team needs them to do.

The Hawks have a surplus of guards and shooters.  Sherron Collins, Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, Xavier Henry, Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed, and C.J. Henry provide more than enough outside threats for Bill Self.

Like that team in 1988, this team needs Marcus and Markieff Morris to be tough, reliable second options to take pressure off of Cole Aldrich and keep the Kansas frontcourt fresh.

So far, the Morris twins are doing exactly that this season.  It seems like at least one of them comes through big every game, they've constantly given the opposition a little more to think about.

The outside game will always still be there, but Manning has taught the sophomores a little more than a few post moves.

He's taught them to be winners too, just like he was, and to step out of their comfort zones and give Self the kind of players he needs.  In fact, I think the best way to describe the improvement of Markieff and Marcus Morris is as an expansion of their comfort zones.

If Kansas is going to have a chance at a National Championship, the Morris twins will be integral parts.

The best part is that, unlike Manning, neither has to be a leader, and there are two Morris twins.

There is more to the Morrises' improvement than the combined seven points and three rebounds per game; it's the perfect, team-oriented, mature, consistent, winning attitude they bring to the Jayhawks.

I think this type of step forward on the hardwood can be credited to a man who practically invented this type of attitude.

That man is Danny Manning.