The Memphis Grizzlies have been among the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. Despite a lack of star power (when compared to the Nets, Warriors, and Bucks), they stand 4th in the West after a 10-game win streak.
At the center of this success is young guard Ja Morant, who is currently having the best season of his career.
As he continues to impress the world, people have been taking notice of Morant and his rising Grizzlies. In a recent segment on NBA Today, Kendrick Perkins made a big show of hailing him as an MVP candidate.
“[Ja Morant’s] been in the MVP conversation for the last month. … The team itself, it follows its leader. Ja Morant got swag! We saw what he said last week. Over the last month, he went toe-to-toe with LeBorn twice, smacked him up. He beat the Golden State Warriors twice smacked them up. He was the best player o the floor against the Brooklyn Nets with James Harden and Kevin Durant. I don’t know what else I got to say.”
“[Ja Morant's] been in the MVP conversation for the last month. … The team itself, it follows its leader. Ja Morant got swag!”
—@KendrickPerkins was fired up about the Grizzlies today 😂 pic.twitter.com/7BFxBsEbYv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 12, 2022
Of course, Perkins isn’t the only prominent name to recognize what Ja and his team are doing. Stephen A. Smith also gave them their due credit.
My apologies to the Memphis Grizzlies. I have slept on these brothers. I know Ja Morant is special, but I love their size, athleticism, depth and perimeter shooting. This team is a legitimate threat in the West. They have my attention.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson also recently gave a shoutout to Ja, calling him the most exciting player in the league.
Last night I watched two guys that should be considered in the MVP race, @Lakers LeBron James and Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.
Ja Morant is must-see-TV and has taken over as the most exciting player in the league averaging 24 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds!
At 29-14, the Grizzlies are outperforming expectations by a mile. And while nobody is sure they can beat some of the West’s other contenders (Jazz, Warriors, Suns), there is no denying the threat they pose to their competitors.
As for Morant, he hasn’t even made an All-Star team, much less an MVP. But if he keeps going at this rate, that’s due to change.
The Grizzlies really struck gold when they picked him up in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKAR4M1wwC0
