New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale says veteran small forward Marcus Morris is the leader of the team.

Morris said before the season started he wants the Knicks to play with an old-school mindset and be a team other clubs don’t want to face.

After the Knicks defeated the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Friday, Fizdale heaped praise on Morris and the toughness he plays with.

“We follow him. Marcus Morris is our leader,” Fizdale said, via Ian Begley of SNY. “He embodies toughness. He embodies team. He really cares about these guys. I think he likes playing for us. He's the guy that hits me up in the middle of the night asking me if I need anything. I've never had a player like that before that just really cares so much.”

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The Knicks have been a walking disaster for years under owner James Dolan. The franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2013 and had the worst record in the NBA last season.

However, the seven veterans the Knicks signed this offseason are tough-minded individuals who are going to help and teach the youngsters in New York what it takes to win in the NBA. Those veterans include Marcus Morris, Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington and Reggie Bullock.

On the season, Morris is averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He's shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 48.0 percent from beyond the arc and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.