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Ja Morant vs. Pau Gasol: Whose Rookie of the Year season was better?

By Amaar Burton

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 5 : Pau Gasol #16 of the Memphis Grizzlies watches the game against the Washington Wizards on April 5, 2002 at the MCI Center in Washington DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 5 : Pau Gasol #16 of the Memphis Grizzlies watches the game against the Washington Wizards on April 5, 2002 at the MCI Center in Washington DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts from the sideline during the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at FedExForum on November 29, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Brandon Dill/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts from the sideline during the first half of the game against the Utah Jazz at FedExForum on November 29, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Brandon Dill/Getty Images) /

The verdict

Gasol’s edge in certain advanced stats suggests he did more on the court than Morant, but he was simply surrounded by a really bad supporting cast.

Morant might have had a better group around him, but the bottom line is Morant helped produce more wins (even in a shorter season) and he had the Grizzlies on the verge of the playoffs, whereas Gasol couldn’t lift the team out of last place.

Morant was also a bigger star. He had people talking about the Grizzlies. You can chalk that up to his naturally more exciting style of play, and some would call that flash over substance. But it’s undeniable that part of the “superstar” package is the ability to garner attention and create a buzz.

For those reasons, Morant’s Rookie of the Year season gets the slight nod over Gasol’s.

dark. Next. 15 best draft picks in franchise history

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