The future of professional sports is not yet here, but the public has a taste for fantasy esports. Whether it’s League of Legends or Counter Strike: Global Offensive, fans are connecting with their favorite players in ways that no one could have imagined before.
Ja Morant’s 2021-22 season has been a showcase for him.
Morant has rocketed into superstar status in his third season and cemented his place in the MVP debate. He’s also assisting in the transformation of the Memphis Grizzlies into legitimate championship contenders.
Morant’s skill was on display again on Wednesday. In a win against the San Antonio Spurs, the 6-foot-3 guard put on a display, increasing Memphis’ record to 33-17. However, a national audience was denied access to the game when ESPN made a last-minute move, prompting a witty retort from the future All-Star.
Against the San Antonio Spurs, Ja Morant was outstanding.
Morant is no stranger to dazzling performances. The 22-year-old has three straight games with 33 points or more before to Wednesday. However, against the Spurs, the Grizzles’ star reached new heights.
Morant tied his season best with 41 points on 15-of-28 shooting. In Memphis’ 118-110 triumph, he also had eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Ja was particularly effective in the second half, scoring 13 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
The star guard was not only matching a season-high point total, but he was also playing with a sense of purpose. Morant was unable to train on Tuesday owing to the health of his grandmother, who is battling cancer. Morant offered a shout-out to his grandmother right after the game.
“I just had to go out there and battle,” Morant said courtesy of ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon. “Knowing she’s watching, knowing I couldn’t be there with her right now, I had to put on a performance.”
Morant is averaging 25.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting after his remarkable performance. In terms of scoring and player efficiency rating, or PER, the former Rookie of the Year is currently ranked 10th in the NBA.
Morant chastised ESPN for flexing the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies-Spurs game was taken off ESPN in favor of the Knicks-Heat game, according to Ja Morant.
“Thank you to whomever got us off the television. Thank you so much for it. That game there was also for you.”
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 27, 2022
Morant’s grandmother’s illness provided all the impetus he needed to rule San Antonio. However, there was another thing at work that left the former Murray State Racer with a chip on his shoulder.
ESPN pulled the Grizzlies and Spurs matchup off their broadcast schedule only days before the contest. Rather, the Worldwide Leader in Sports chose to broadcast the New York Knicks’ game against the Miami Heat. Memphis now has just six nationally aired broadcasts instead of the seven it had planned.
Rather than seeing Morant’s 41-point performance, the Heat cruised to a 110-96 victory against the Knicks on national television. And, after dedicating the win to his grandmother (h/t: Memphis Grizzlies), Ja made sure to throw some shade at ESPN.
“Thank you to whomever pulled us off the television; we appreciate it. That game was also meant for you. Do you want to take us somewhere? I’m not sure what influenced that [decision].”
Ja Morant
Memphis’ next national broadcast, against the Knicks, comes on Feb. 2, providing Ja a chance to avenge one of the clubs who stole his shine.
The Grizzlies should no longer be looked down upon.
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Morant has taken some time to establish himself as a potential MVP contender on the national stage. Now it’s time for the rest of the Grizzlies to have their turn in the spotlight.
For openers, with a 33-17 record, Memphis is the NBA’s third-best team. The Grizzlies are in the top ten in both offensive and defensive rating after 50 games, while also having the league’s seventh-fastest tempo. Morant is a big part of it, and he’s helped Memphis become one of the league’s most interesting teams to watch.
Ja is surrounded by a large number of teenagers. Desmond Bane, a second-year guard, is Morant’s backcourt mate, scoring 17.2 points per game, almost twice his rookie performance. Jaren Jackson Jr., a 6-foot-11 big man, is developing into a two-way star of his own, averaging 16.5 points and 2.2 blocks a game. Dillon Brooks, a 26-year-old who has averaged 16 points or more in each of the previous three seasons, is also expected to return to Memphis.
The Grizzlies have a strong roster with minimal flaws and a legitimate superstar in Morant. ESPN, perhaps, learned a vital lesson by not spotlighting this competitor when it had the opportunity.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
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