Grizzlies Storylines through 12 Games

Rookie Recklessness

Ja Morant has proven to be a player capable of producing highlights every time he touches the ball. His quickness and athleticism have translated well to the NBA, and he’s already using them to his advantage. However, some Grizzly fans have expressed concern about Morant’s attacking style, citing concerns over injury. An awkward landing in the Houston game gave all of Memphis a scare.

Morant’s attack mentality is so important for him to maintain. It’s not something that can be taught, and is part of what makes him such a good player. It is a key reason why he was compared to Russell Westbrook pre-draft. Morant uses his speed to get to the paint with ease. He’s most deadly there, either passing out to an open teammate or attacking the rim himself. A Morant drive may already be the most effective part of the Grizzlies’ offense.

As essential and electrifying as Morant’s drives are, they also can be equally terrifying. He attacks with reckless abandon, looking to finish over, through, or on whoever stands in his way. He already has multiple poster attempts, and many resulted in hard falls. Listed at 6’3″, 174 pounds, Morant has a very slight build, even amongst the league’s most explosive guards. He needs to bulk up a little bit to ensure that his body can handle the contact he so often creates.