Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Stephen A. Smith Compares Ja Morant To Kevin Durant: “Like Kevin Durant, He Was The Second Overall Pick. Like Kevin Durant, He’s Going To Be The Guy That We’re Talking About… Ja Morant And KD’s Careers Have Mirrored Each Other Until This Point.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Compares Ja Morant To Kevin Durant: “Like Kevin Durant, He Was The Second Overall Pick. Like Kevin Durant, He’s Going To Be The Guy That We’re Talking About… Ja Morant And KD’s Careers Have Mirrored Each Other Until This Point.”

Stephen A. Smith Compares Ja Morant To Kevin Durant: “Like Kevin Durant, He Was The Second Overall Pick. Like Kevin Durant, He’s Going To Be The Guy That We’re Talking About… Ja Morant And KD’s Careers Have Mirrored Each Other Until This Point.”

Divij Kulkarni
Mar 1, 2022
3 Min Read
Share

Often, one of the most coveted assets in the NBA is the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Teams tank to get a better opportunity to have the right to select first overall and bring in the generational talent that can make a franchise relevant for decades and give them multiple chances at building a team capable of winning a championship. 

However, it’s not always the first pic that brings the player franchises need, sometimes it’s the pick after. Never has that been more true than in the case of Kevin Durant, who was picked 2nd but became one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen. And Stephen A. Smith has noticed the same thing about Ja Morant, who is having an MVP level season in just his 3rd year with the Memphis Grizzlies. 

“You know who you can call Ja Morant right now, ladies and gentlemen? You can call him Kevin Durant. Why would I bring up Kevin Durant? Like Kevin Durant, Ja Morant was the No. 2 overall pick. Like Kevin Durant, he’s going to be the guy that we’re talking about.

“Greg Oden went down obviously, with his knee injuries, you know, and that just negated his career. He was the No. 1 overall pick, Kevin Durant was No. 2. Well Zion Williamson, No. 1 overall pick. Who’s 2? Ja Morant… We know how great Zion Williamson is when he’s on the court, but he hasn’t been on the court, Ja Morant has.  

“And as The No. 2 overall pick who had a No. 1 overall pick that was perpetually injured, Ja Morant and Kevin Durant’s careers are actually mirroring one another to this point in Ja Morant’s career because of where they were drafted, who was drafted ahead of them and what they’re doing on the court. And that’s why I said, when I think of Ja Morant, I also think of Kevin Durant.” 

Morant has several serious admirers across the league, including Allen Iverson who thinks Ja is on his way to an MVP soon, but comparisons with Durant are still a very huge compliment for the youngster. Considering that Ja is averaging over 27 points a game this season though, it’s not very far away, and if he can achieve just some of the things that KD has before he retires, it will have been a stellar career for Morant.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Ja MorantStephen A. SmithZion Williamson
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByDivij Kulkarni
Follow:
Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article NBA Executives Select The Most Clutch Players Today: Kevin Durant Leads The List, LeBron James Is Just 5th
Next Article Metta Sandiford-Artest Backs The Los Angeles Lakers To Have Playoff Success: “I Still Think The Lakers Will Pull Off The Impossible.”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) talks with reporters during media day at the Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

“Been A War Out There” – Payton Pritchard On Being Bloodied During Celtics Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks News & Analysis

Giannis Antetokounmpo Opens Up On His Legacy Ahead Of New Season

October 4, 2025
Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Jimmy Butler Compromised For Lakers Game After Latest Injury Setback

October 4, 2025
Chris Paul
Los Angeles Clippers News & Analysis

Chris Paul Sets The Record Straight On NBA Retirement Plans

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?