Everyone today is talking about Anthony Edwards as the next big U.S. star. Deservedly so, given how dominant he’s been this early in his career. But it’s easy to forget that not long ago, that player was Ja Morant.
The Memphis Grizzlies point guard has been one of the league’s most electrifying names for years, but unfortunately, not only because of his spectacular dunks or performances, but also because of his off-court incidents. The feeling is that as the seasons go by, he’s regressing. This prompted Kendrick Perkinsto ask whether Morant can get back on track.
“It’s Ja. Like c’mon dog, c’mon dog, like two, three years ago,” he started. “We would be having a conversation about you as the next face of the NBA, like, and this some real shit. ESPN went down to Memphis for a week and did an All-Access.
“And now it’s time for you, one, win some of your fans back. I’m one of them, because he used to be my favorite player. That is now Anthony Edwards, and Big Body Brunson at times,” Perkins stressed on the Road Trippin’ podcast.
Morant was the reason for the growth
There’s no doubt that Ja, with his repeated gun incidents, followed by last year’s celebrations where he pretended to throw a bomb into the crowd, has created a huge base of fans who are simply irritated that he still hasn’t matured.
This is the same guy who, in his sophomore season, lifted the Grizzlies to playoff level and immediately showed through five games that he was among the league’s elite, averaging 30.2 points and 8.2 assists on 48.7 percent from the field.
It was a clear sign of a next superstar in the making, but somewhere along the way, things stalled and Memphis got stuck in mediocrity. With all that seemingly behind him, Perkins asks whether Morant can truly carry the organization to the new heights.
“But now, also, hey bro, can you carry this organization? No one is expecting a damn thing from the Memphis Grizzlies, but Ja could change that narrative. And now, speculations are there, is Memphis going to give him 200, 250, 300 million dollars? Is he ready to dance?” Perkins said.
Morant can push the Grizzlies over the hump
Morant has definitely shown that he possesses superstar talent, but it also has to be noted that the Grizzlies have been one of the teams most hit by injuries in recent years. He himself is high on that list of missed games due to injuries, just like the second star on the team, Jaren Jackson Jr.
On top of that, after several successful seasons, including finishing second in the West two seasons ago, Taylor Jenkins was fired, Desmond Bane left and earlier they lost Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams.
Memphis is turning in a new direction, losing the roster identity that characterized them in the Morant era. However, if injuries stay away, it’s still a good enough team to battle for the top of the West. Let’s not forget that just a few weeks before the end of last season, they were sitting in second place in the West, only to collapse down the stretch.
The team still has quality, but Morant brings that extra spark to push them to the top, just as Edwards showed with the Minnesota Timberwolves when he led them to back-to-back WCF appearances.