3 reasons October was a successful month for the Memphis Grizzlies

Reason No. 1: Memphis Grizzlies Future All-Star Ja Morant

The first reason is the most obvious: Ja Morant has arrived. After six games Morant is averaging 28.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and a highlight or four. More important than the headline numbers he’s put up is the fact that he has shown massive improvements in his weaknesses.

The general defensive consensus around the league to this point has been to give Ja a massive cushion to attempt to force him to shoot as opposed to allowing him to drive to the basket where he has been most effective.

Because of his speed and shiftiness, Ja does often beat others to the cup and then the strategy has become to foul him and make him earn his points at the free-throw line where he has struggled. These defensive strategies are a big part of what has accounted for Ja’s “sophomore slump.”

If the beginning of year three is any indication, opposing defenses are going to have to come up with new strategies because Morant’s free throw percentage is 84% up 11% from 73% last season and his three-point percentage is 39% up 9% from 30% last season on nearly double the attempts. All statistics aside Ja is showing the confidence and swagger it takes to be a top player in this league.

Most of these improvements can be explained by Ja’s work ethic but also paired with his first real offseason since his rookie year. People often forget that because of COVID-19 delays there has been very little time allotted to players to work on their games.

Clearly, Morant took advantage of the last four months. Morant has done all of this while his teammates have had average to below-average starts, notably the Grizzlies’ second budding star Jaren Jackson Jr. But no need to fear the Grizzlies still have plenty to look forward to past Ja.