As a 2x NBA All-Star, Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has certainly been recognized as one of the game’s top athletes. And after helping the Grizzlies finish 2nd in the West this year, many still hold firm to the belief that he is a championship-level player.
Speaking on ‘The Herd,’ however, NBA analyst Colin Cowherd challenged Ja’s superstar status and had the audacity to suggest the Grizzlies are a better team when he’s not available.
“All five Memphis starters scored in double figures. Why? Because they weren’t sitting around staring at Ja,” said Colin. “Talent and value are two different things. If you look at the last two seasons, including the playoffs, the Grizzlies statistically with Ja and without him: they win a little more, they are much better defensively, their net rating is double. They are a better team without him, sorry fanboys. He’s not a great basketball player overall. He’s a great scorer.”
"They're a better team without him… He's not a great basketball player overall. He's a great scorer."
— @ColinCowherd on Grizzlies taking Game 2 without Ja Morant pic.twitter.com/TZOSP9QSLe
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 20, 2023
The Grizzlies’ depth allows them to adjust without Ja, and they are able to find other ways to win. While that doesn’t mean that Morant is a bad player, it could mean he’s not as valuable to the Grizzlies as a guy like Nikola Jokic is to the Nuggets.
Either way, it’s a bold take from Cowherd, especially considering Morant is a 2x All-Star who could still return at some point in this series.
Morant Is Struggling As Grizzlies Endure Without Him
Morant hasn’t been ruled out for the series, but reports haven’t been good and Morant himself has been acting somber since the trade went down.
“The way Morant was leaning in his locker,” The Athletic reported. “The look he shared with teammates as they walked past. The frustration in his voice as he spoke with someone on the phone. The bothered, unsettled breaths he took as part of his meditation practice to cope with stress. Morant was suggesting Sunday he was dealing with dual crises of the body and mind. ‘It’s very tough, stressful.'”
As Morant works his way back to the court, fans are going to keep wondering what the team can do without him. For one game, at least, they looked pretty good. But something tells me they’ll be worse off in this series if No. 12 isn’t able to return at some point soon.
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