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Ex-Grizzlies wing drops truth bomb on Ja Morant, Derrick Rose comparisons

ByMark Nilon|
Nov 27, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket on New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket on New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

This summer, the Memphis Grizzlies opted to make a few moves that, though small in quantity, are believed to have been rather large when it comes to potential impact.

While the most buzzed-about transaction made during the offseason was the blockbuster trade for Marcus Smart, the decision made by GM Zach Kleiman that has received rave reviews from players both past and present is the signing of veteran guard, Derrick Rose.

Tabbed as a tremendous veteran presence for this highly talented yet still rather green Grizzlies roster, upon his arrival to Grind City many were quick to discuss just how influential he could be on the likes of franchise cornerstone Ja Morant, for not only does the 35-year-old understand the consequences of off-court troubles, but, throughout the youngster’s career, he has constantly been linked to Rose from a skill-set standpoint.

From their roadrunner quickness to their explosive out-of-the-arena leaping abilities, Morant and an in-his-prime D-Rose have been compared to one another on a plethora of occasions since the former entered the league back in 2019.

And while this is an opinion largely shared among fans, media pundits, and players alike, recently 14-year NBA veteran and once-upon-a-time Grizzlies wing Danny Green dropped his own take on the matter, as he noted that there shouldn’t even be any real discussion.

To him, no one compares to Rose.

Former Grizzlies wing Danny Green ends Derrick Rose, Ja Morant comparison

"“People like to compare Ja [Morant] and [Derrick Rose], or, like, certain people to D-Rose. But there’s nobody like that mother f***er right there when he was in his prime,” Green said on a recent appearance on the Run Your Race podcast. “He had [Carlos Boozer] setting screens, Joakim [Noah] setting screens, these are big guys, and he’s like a running back running around off these screens. And he’s little and the next you know he’s just jumping up with the trees, he’s at the top of the square and you’re like ‘oh shit, he’s up there with [Tim Duncan], where the f**k did that come from?'”"

Rose, a three-time All-Star and the NBA’s youngest-ever MVP, essentially saw a four-year prime from 2008 through 2012 where he posted sensational averages of 21.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds on 46.4 percent shooting from the field.

Unfortunately, mid-way through the 2011-12 season, he suffered a torn ACL during the first round of the postseason. From then on, injuries started to pile up and, in turn, derailed his once-promising career.

Now he comes to the Grizzlies heading into year 16 in the association as an elder statesman, with many believing his presence alone could push the uber-athletic Morant toward an entirely new level of play.

However, Rose is by no means looking to solely serve as a voice in the ear of the cornerstone and collect dust on the sidelines, as he publicly noted during training camp that he is looking to play during his debut season in Memphis.

Though he may no longer be the “mother f***er” Green and countless others know him to have been, based on the last several years when he’s received consistent minutes (has averaged 14.8 points and 4.2 assists on 47.1 percent shooting since 2018 whilst predominantly coming off the bench) the veteran seems to have the proper amount of gas left in his tank to be a quality contributor for Taylor Jenkins’ squad.

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