"It makes sense that the Rockets sent rookie forward Marcus Morris to the NBA Development League for a second stint.

It is understandable that Morris isn't happy about it. Few players would be. No competitor likes being told he isn't good enough. When you believe you can play at the top level, you want to play at the top level. Period.

As much as the NBA would like to shape the D-League into a copy of MLB's minor league system, it isn't anywhere near that point. Players do not deem being sent to the D-League as a positive.

And Morris, 22, is in the unique situation of having a twin brother, Markieff, who plays 20 minutes a night as part of the rotation in Phoenix.

It had been generally understood that Marcus is the better player of the two brothers who until this season had always been on the same team.

"I feel his pain," Markieff said. "To have his talent and be the type guy he is and not to even get a shot to play, I know he's hurting right now because of that."