Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies were off to a phenomenal start in the 2021-22 NBA season. Following a 2-0 start, they were handed their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup was close and despite ending on the losing side, Morant had a phenomenal game.
He finished with 40 points and 10 assists while playing 38 minutes. Although Ja had a great game, he committed a grave mistake towards the end of the game by failing to knock down the game-tying free throw which ultimately led to the Grizzlies’ defeat.
Following this defeat, it seems that Morant went to Twitter without missing a second. The Grizzlies point guard tweeted:
“How will you respond 12….”
how will you respond 12…. ⏳
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) October 25, 2021
The tweet was a simple yet huge question that Morant asked himself. But the fact that he didn’t wait a couple of hours before tweeting this didn’t sit right with NBA fans. As a result, many fans called Morant out for this and some even shot a few trolls in his direction.
Dog y'all just lost 3 minutes ago. Get off the phone
— Face (@itsjustface) October 25, 2021
Kyrie doesn’t need to respond cuz he doesn’t choke
— ً RJ (@rjpaiddd) October 25, 2021
It’s too bad ja MaCHOKE couldn’t hit his free throws😹😹
— 𝒹𝓊𝓁🌵💫 (@onlybronn) October 25, 2021
I know. Make your ft next time! Bye
— Lakers da Massa!🇧🇷 (@_LakersdaMassa) October 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/KimoLbj/status/1452489384381517826
By making all 3 next time not like u
— 💜💛LUKAMAGIC ZIGG💜💛 (@ziggziah) October 25, 2021
Dawg the game ended 5 minutes ago shower before u get on Twitter
— BIG Z (@treymurphyiii) October 25, 2021
So you finish that game and youre mad about your FT, and the first thing you do is to tweet ? Cmon young guy.
But you were crazy tonight congratulations
— Kobe (@Kobe26986174) October 25, 2021
maaan you looked like ben simmons on that free throw
— Kawhi’s burner ✋🏿🏀 (@Claw2KL) October 25, 2021
Great game Ja. You know you're close and you know what you need to do if you're trying to be remembered forever. Kobe/AI. What path do you want to go down. Both were great but something separated them other than size. You know what path we want you to take but it's up to you…
— @TheGOATSofBall (@TheGOATSofball) October 25, 2021
Dang you talk to yourself too!? Nice
— Champa (@tyswish92) October 25, 2021
That last free throw had me like: pic.twitter.com/FbIVBMLjqR
— 🇼🇸 Uce Willis 🇵🇸 (@mexxdidit) October 25, 2021
This man right here is Serious! I was watching nba the jump the other day they all said lamelo over you! Boy are they wrong Them Carolina boys built different!! You a mans mans!! You through King👑 @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/wUJ9lGA53m
— AmenThompson#1 pick (@TaylorS78668641) October 25, 2021
It is true that the missed free throw cost the Grizzlies the game, but apart from that Morant had a sensational game. Moreover, Morant is just 22-years-old, and he is already fulfilling the superstar role for the franchise.
If all goes well, this year could be a breakout season for the young guard. As of now, he is averaging 35.0 points per game and is looking in great touch.
Considering it is just his third season in the league, the 2019-20 Rookie Of The Year has a bright future ahead of him. The only thing the organization can do is provide him with better players around him.
Once the franchise accomplishes that, the sky is the limit for them. The Grizzlies have been struggling for a long time and Morant might finally rescue them.
It won’t be an easy task by any means. Since the Grizzlies are in the loaded Western Conference, it is hard to see them make it to the NBA Finals, at least for now. Making it to the postseason seems like a fair goal for them and Morant is certainly playing with that in mind.
