With the 2021-22 NBA season now in full flow, fans are getting a much better understanding of which young players have definitely taken a leap in their careers. While there are many players who have improved a lot this season, one name arguably tops them all.
We are talking about none other than Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant. This is Morant’s third season in the league and he has finally stepped up his game to a level that many have started to talk about him making his first NBA All-Star team selection.
The impact of Morant’s sensational season can be seen directly at where the Grizzlies are in the Western Conference table. They are sitting comfortably at the fourth spot in the table with a record of 22-14. Moreover, in their recent victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, Ja was simply too much for the purple and gold.
He finished the game with 41 points and 10 rebounds as he spent 36 minutes on the court. Looking at his performance against the Lakers, only one question popped up in the heads of fans and sports pundits: will he become an All-Star?
After his contribution to the win against the Lakers, Morant was asked this question in the postgame interview and he had a great reply as usual.
“You gotta be sh*tting me,” Morant said.
Morant’s one-sentence reply was enough for most to understand his stance on becoming a first-time NBA All-Star. Looking at his stats for this season, he is currently averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and 38% from the 3-point line.
These numbers should be more than enough for him to not only get selected as an All-Star but quite possibly a starter as well.
The expectations are high from the 22-year-old as he is having a breakout year. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins went as far as saying that Ja Morant could be the next Giannis. Although Giannis and Morant have different approaches to the game, one thing that they have in common is playing for a small-market team.
Giannis delivered a title for the Bucks last season, but can Morant do the same in the future? Only time will tell.
