As we are now on the eve of the NBA All-Star Game there is one player that has the national attention he deserves. Ja Morant, in his 3rd season out of Murray State, has more than lived up to his #2 overall pick in 2019 to the Memphis Grizzlies. From “small school” Murray State to “small market” Memphis Grizzlies Ja is now an All-Star and only the 4th since the Grizzlies franchise made its move from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001. How has Ja been able to add his name to a list that includes Marc and Paul Gasol, and Zach Randolph?
This season has been one for the record books for the Memphis Grizzlies. I mean literally record-setting by defeating Oklahoma City 152-79 on December 3rd of 2021. The 73 points is the largest margin of victory to date topping the Cavs victory 148-80 over the Heat on Dec 17, 1991. The Grizzlies are one of the youngest teams in the league with an average age of 24 and have a certain swagger about them when they play. With their play this season from Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, John Konchar, and others to accompany a generational talent like Morant they are a team who can compete now rather than later.
Coming into the All-Star break the Grizzlies sit in 3rd place in the league with a 41-19 record and only 8 games back of the Suns for 1st place. Head Coach, Taylor Jenkins, has this team averaging 118 points per game {2nd in NBA}, 48.9 rebounds per game {1st in NBA}, and 25 assists per game {7th in NBA} and finished up the final 10 game stretch at an 8-2 record and a favorable remaining schedule. How deep can this team go? Who knows?
Ja Morant has been on an MVP pace season in 2021. From highlight plays to post-game audio clips to opposing teams chanting MVP at him he has been a hot commodity. He is averaging 26 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game and is seemingly on ESPN nightly with some dunk or play. His reward for his play so far was the all-star game in Cleveland and to see the NBA fans select him to play in this game so young in his career speaks volumes for him.
Tomorrow night when he is announced as a starter the nation will get to see what the city of Memphis and its fans have seen since day one and that is an absolute ALL-STAR!
