The start of a new season means that every publication is rushing to come out with their rankings of players heading into next season. ESPN is in the process of unveiling its top 100 for the season, revealing players who are ranked 11-50 on their list. Ja Morant ranked at No. 35 in a shocking fall from last season.
ESPN’s rankings from 11-50 pic.twitter.com/OkcKunqiyq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 11, 2023
Morant was ranked in the top 10 last season. While ranking him top-10 itself was an overreaction, it seems ESPN has gone to the other end of the scale this year. There are legitimate off-court concerns around Morant’s behavior, given his gun indiscretions this year. He will be starting the season with a 25-game suspension, which will impact his contribution on the court.
Fans don’t think Morant’s actions mean he should fall 26 ratings in a list like that, as Morant is still one of the best young guards in the NBA.
Fans Think Ja Morant Is Being Disrespected
Fans have come out quickly to call out ESPN for dropping Morant from 9th last season to 35th this season. Morant himself commented with a laughing emoji and an hourglass, implying he’ll prove them wrong on the court.
😂⏳🧘🏽♂️
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) October 11, 2023
One fan advocated for Morant to still be in the top ten despite what happened last season.
There are not 10 players in the world better than Ja Morant.
— Growl Towel Central (@GTC901) October 11, 2023
Another fan thinks his ranking last year was just as bad as it is this year, questioning the legitimacy of the entire list.
Having him 9th last year was pretty ridiculous, but this is just shameful. Letting off court stuff influence on court ratings is a bad look
— 👑🐐 (@LukaToBron) October 11, 2023
One fan dismissed the list by calling ESPN ‘political’.
Yeah, ESPN is largely political. That’s ridiculous.
— Ham Capital (@XHamCapital) October 11, 2023
Fans started saying that ESPN lists need to be ignored because they’re baiting fans for reactions and engagement.
They do it for reactions it ain’t that deep
— SixersShowYo (@SixersShowYo) October 11, 2023
A fan joined in that sentiment by saying he’d listen to his grandmother’s opinion on basketball before ESPN.
How long before the rest of the sports fans stop viewing ESPN as legitimate? I would trust my grandmothers opinion on Ja before I’d believe ESPN.
— Shawn Hutcheson (@ismgar) October 11, 2023
One fan tried defending the ranking by saying it’s ESPN holding Morant accountable for his actions.
It’s not just about talent, it’s about your ability to be accountable and present for your team.
— ✊🏾✊🏾ProfessorLiquid🌊🎙 (@FormlessLiquid) October 11, 2023
Morant was held accountable for his actions by the NBA, who suspended him for 25 games and made it impossible for him to be in line for All-NBA or All-Star selections this season. Ranking a player poorly on a top-100 list is not holding them accountable, it’s just not necessarily an honest reflection of a player’s ability.
Shocking Players Ranked Ahead Of Ja Morant
In terms of comparable guards, Morant was ranked behind Jamal Murray, Tyrese Haliburton, De’Aaron Fox, Jrue Holiday, Trae Young, and Jalen Brunson. This is without including guards like Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, and Stephen Curry, essentially saying that Morant is barely a top-10 point guard in the league.
Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists last season. Given how he has been a constant force on a Grizzlies squad that’s made three playoffs in a row, it seems harsh to have him be ranked behind players like Fox, who just had their first playoff appearance. Or someone like Tyrese Haliburton, who is yet to even have a winning record in the NBA.
Inconsistencies like this make it hard to accept a list like this on merit because Morant’s on-court production hasn’t fallen off nearly as extremely as this list suggests. Having him also be ranked behind the likes of forwards like Lauri Markkanen on the basis of a one-season sample is ludicrous, but Morant has the chance to prove everyone wrong when he returns to the court next season.
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