The Memphis Grizzlies acquired Ja Morant from the Phoenix Suns for a package of players and draft picks. The Suns also retained rights to four future first rounders between 2021-24. But that’s not what really matters: what it means is that Ja will be playing in front of O’Neal now, which should make him one happy guy going into next season.
Shaquille O’Neal is a retired professional basketball player who has lit a fire under Ja Morant to earn the “Best Player in the League” label. Read more in detail here: how tall is shaquille o’neal.
In just his third year, Memphis Grizzlies standout Ja Morant has fully extended his wings as one of the game’s top talents after an MVP-caliber performance. His outstanding performance has attracted parallels to a young Derrick Rose, but his influence as a scorer and distributor much outweighs his explosive playmaking ability.
Morant has the Grizzlies in a good position to contend for an NBA championship. In addition, Shaquille O’Neal, who is a Hall of Famer, has dubbed him the finest player in the game.
Ja Morant is having a career year as an MVP candidate.
Ja Morant of the Grizzlies dribbles the ball against the Knicks. | Rich Graessle/Getty Images
Morant has elevated his game after guiding the Grizzlies to their first playoff appearance in four years.
The Murray State graduate has cemented himself as a top scorer, scoring 27.5 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field. Along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James, he’s one of four players averaging at least 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game.
Morant has scored 40 points six times, putting him on a limited list of players aged 22 or younger who have done so in the 3-point era (since the 1979-80 season). He joins James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Trae Young, Amare Stoudemire, and Kevin Durant in this category.
As Morant continues to flourish, he just received the ultimate confidence boost from a Hall of Fame big man.
Shaquille O’Neal has just sparked a fire in Ja Morant, earning him the title of “best in the league.”
Morant’s remarkable improvement in his third season has cemented his place as one of the game’s greatest players.
His outstanding performance has elevated the Grizzlies to a Western Conference powerhouse with NBA championship dreams. Shaquille O’Neal, a Hall of Famer, went a step further by personally endorsing the great guard as possibly the finest player in the game.
When I responded, “Yo dude, you the greatest player in the NBA,” O’Neal added, “you should’ve seen his tiny sweet face.” “He was like, ‘Huh?’” says the narrator. ‘I’m not fooling around with you, brother. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. It’s true. ‘I assure you, you’re the greatest.’ He had some faith in it, but not complete faith. He simply [went off] when I confirmed it. He was already heading that way, but I felt compelled to light the path.
“Penny [Hardaway] was the same way.” Kobe was the same way. In the next several years, this youngster will undoubtedly be in his league.”
Morant’s reply indicates that he does not feel he has yet reached that level. However, when a former all-time great says such strong remarks, it elevates the situation. He’s averaging 32. 5 points per game in the seven games after the All-Star break. In back-to-back games, he scored 46 and 52 points, respectively.
For the first time, All- Star may not feel he’s achieved that level yet, but his performance on the court speaks for itself. The more impressive his performances get, the more difficult it will be to keep him out of the debate as the game’s finest player.
The Grizzlies are aiming for second place in the Western Conference.
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Aside from Morant’s rising star status, the Grizzlies are in a strong position.
Memphis, which is a half-game ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference standings, has a chance to clinch the second overall seed. The Grizzlies are in a strong position to earn at least a top-three postseason berth.
They’ve had a strong showing at the FedExForum this season, finishing tied for third with 23 home victories. Morant will have a big impact on where the Grizzlies finish in the regular season, since this will be the youthful team’s second postseason appearance.
Despite this, the 22-year-faith old’s in his teammates is unwavering.
During a recent sitdown interview with Inside the NBA’s Kenny Smith, Morant remarked, “We have all the pieces we need to win right now [to win an NBA championship].” “We all know it takes time, but we are certain that we will win the title,” said the team.
The absence of substantial postseason experience will continue to cast skepticism, but the Grizzlies are on the verge of putting something extraordinary together around Morant.
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