Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant needs to be in the 2022 Dunk Contest

The Memphis Grizzlies are home to one of the most promising young players in the NBA in Ja Morant. At just 21 years old, it’s clear that he is destined to become one of the NBA’s next star players.

In his second season in the league, he’s averaging 18.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per outing. He has increased his production since his rookie year and is constantly improving as an all-around player. His only weakness this year, 3-point shooting, has been drastically improving as of late.

That said, the strengths of his game lie in his unnatural athleticism. There are few players in the history of the NBA who have matched his explosiveness and it shows each and every night that the Grizzlies play.

Memphis Grizzlies PG Ja Morant needs to be in next year’s NBA Dunk Contest

Ja Morant is good for at least one explosive play in each game. These often come in the form of a speedy transition layup in traffic, a highlight block, or even a flashy pass.

But most importantly, from time to time, this play happens in the form of a slam dunk. Ja Morant actually doesn’t dunk the ball extremely frequently, but when he does, he throws it down. And when I say he throws it down, I mean it.

Morant has the Russell Westbrook gene. That means that both of these players attack the hoop like the rim just stole their girlfriends.

This makes for some of the most exciting dunks in the game, most of which create a huge surge of energy for their respective teams. Morant’s most recent slam can be seen in the following tweet by the Memphis Grizzlies Twitter account.

As you can see, Morant gives no mercy to the rim. Not bad for a guy who couldn’t even dunk the basketball until his senior year of high school.

With this dunk, Ja Morant once again shows us why he deserves to be in a dunk contest next year. If not next year, at some point in the future. He is undeniably one of the best dunkers in the league and should be recognized as such.

Even if he doesn’t win the competition, he would be a highly entertaining player to have compete. NBA, please consider putting Ja Morant in the dunk contest.