NBA.com released their annual GM Survey on Oct. 4 and when it came to Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, the results were borderline baffling.
The results showed that Memphis is projected to finish fifth in the Western Conference this season behind the Clippers, Warriors, Suns, and Nuggets.
General Managers also ranked the Grizzlies second in two exciting categories: “Which team is the most fun to watch” and “Which team has the most prominent young core?” The Grizzlies trailed only the Warriors and Cavs in those two categories, respectively.
The team even received a few votes when asked “Who is the best defensive team in the NBA?” as well as “Who will have the most efficient offense next season?”
Despite appearing in so many positive polls, Memphis also shockingly appeared third behind the Nets and the Lakers when the question “Which team’s level of success this season is the toughest to predict?’ was asked to the league’s GMs.
As expected, Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant’s name popped up in the survey results multiple times, but didn’t pop up at all on the poll that was probably the most significant in showing what he has become entering his fourth year in the association.
NBA GMs snub Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant in multiple categories
Don’t get me wrong, 12 was given his flowers in a couple of notable categories.
He finished first among GMs in the most athletic player category (38% of votes), as well as being recognized as the fastest player with the ball in his hands in the league (62% of votes).
He also got a few votes in the category that showed which players forced opposing coaches to make the most adjustments throughout a game, showing how great his impact really is.
When asked the question “Who is the Best Point Guard in the NBA?” however, General Managers must have forgotten Ja Morant plays that position.
Check out the results:
Not a single vote for Ja… it’s baffling, but hey extra motivation, we’re here for that pic.twitter.com/cxJDSiJM0s
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) October 4, 2022
Regardless of averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.2 steals, having a Player Efficiency Rating of 24.4, starting in the NBA All-Star Game, and being named Second Team All-NBA in only his third year in the league, Ja Morant did not receive a single vote for best point guard in the NBA from any GMs.
Crazy, right?
What’s even crazier is the fact that 37-year-old Chris Paul received 10% of the vote, while Morant did not receive a single percentage point.
Saying Steph Curry is better than Ja Morant right now? You’re probably right. Saying the same about Luka Doncic? Sure.
However, there is no universe in which Chris Paul is better than Ja Morant at this point in both of their careers, and every basic or advanced stat, playoff stat, or even the eye test would say otherwise.
It is also up for debate on if Trae Young is better than Morant, who was the fourth and final guard on the list as he received 3% of the vote.
Regardless, Ja Morant deserves more respect and should have definitely been in the conversation at a minimum. Morant has yet to comment on the survey yet, and who knows if he will.
What I do know for certain though, is that he sees the disrespect. There is no doubt in my mind that Ja Morant will use this pole as even more motivation than he already has going into the 2022-23 season, and the rest of the league is about to get put on notice even more than they were a year before.
The tattoo on his right hand does not lie. Ja Morant will show all twenty-nine other General Managers why he is truly “Him” this season, and I have a feeling he will not be left off another best point guard in the league survey for a long time after what we are about to witness.