Three reasons Memphis Grizzlies will succeed: Ja, Jaren, and Brandon

Ja Morant

Let’s start with Morant, who has had a spectacular rookie campaign in 2019-2020, and has lived up to all the hype surrounding him coming out of Murray State. For his rookie season, Morant appeared in 62 of 68 games, averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game on 48-34-78 shooting splits and posting a PER (player efficiency rating) of 17.6.

By most accounts, the Rookie of the Year award for this season is Morant’s to lose. He can do it all on the offensive end of the court. He can score from anywhere. He can step outside and knock down the outside shot when he needs to, he can finish at the rim, and if you have watched him at all this season, you know he can play way, WAY above the rim for a guy who comes in at just 6’3″ and 175 pounds.

And his game is not all about scoring. He has great court vision and runs the offense with poise far beyond his years. As good as he is at getting his, he is just as good at getting looks for other guys and his pick and roll game with Jackson Jr. is just getting started. Averaging 7 assists per game as a rookie in this league is no small feat, and while his assist-to-turnover ratio isn’t exactly elite just yet (2.19), that is something that will come with more experience.

Morant is going to be a star in this league, there is almost no doubt about it. One thing is certain though, he is going to be one of the main reasons the FedEx Forum sells out night in and night out for years to come, and is reason for Grizzlies fans to be excited for the future of this team.