Beale Street Bears
Fansided

Ja Morant: Pros and Cons of the COVID Layoff

By AJ Salah

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on October 23, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Memphis Grizzlies
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images /

Pro: Likely Clinches Rookie of the Year

One plus for Morant is that the COVID hiatus likely seals his fate as the NBA’s 2019-20 Rookie of the Year.

The narrative for Zion Williamson – the presumptive winner preseason – was growing by the week. Zion’s eye-popping numbers, combined with the New Orleans Pelicans’ ascent up the West standings, made for a compelling argument.

Had Zion continued pummeling opponents for uber-efficient stat stuffings, and pushed the Pels into the playoffs, he might well have walked away the winner.

But the truth is that the recency bias, among several biases, were tainting perception. Morant had been doing everything Zion did; the total package of numbers, team performance and highlights, all season. My own Grizzlies bias aside, his body of work was more longitudinal, and he’s a deserving ROY winner.

Let the record show that Morant comfortably averaged over 17 ppg and 6.5 apg on 45% shooting this year. That puts him in the exclusive and legendary company of Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson among rookies.

Both Morant and Memphis over-performed this year, and set the league on notice. The Grizzlies are on the come up; history should remember the statement they and Morant made.

Home/Grizzlies News