Ja Morant is an MVP candidate
Ja Morant has made a huge jump this season
Ja Morant is a courageous induvial because of his poster and confidence in the NBA. He can usually be the loudest room while trying to get his point across if disrespected by a player. Morant even enjoys his time on twitter while quoting on exciting plays the Memphis Grizzlies and himself created. He is always full of joy and enjoys playing basketball, as you see Morant flex after a ferocious dunk or huge shot. It’s hard to ignore the hard work and swagger Morant displays on the court. Morant is the engine that makes the Grizzlies go.
The Grizzlies are efficient with Morant on the court. They average 113.8 points and 24.3 assists per game on 100 possessions with Morant on the floor. It isn’t hard to notice that the Grizzlies are fantastic in fastbreak opportunities. The Grizzlies are ranked first in the NBA in fastbreak points by averaging 17 points per game. Morant plays huge part in that because he averages 1.17 points per possession in transition, which puts him in the 59.8 percentile per Synergy.
Morant has played incredible the whole entire season and continues to impress spectators every game. He amazes the crowd with his athleticism, IQ, and passing. But his leadership skills have improved because of the way he supports, loves, and appreciates his teammates. Morant deserves to be in the MVP in conversation until the end of the season. As he has made a huge jump from last season and fought off a knee injury in the beginning of the season.
Morant does a great job of exploding towards the rim, as he has done that since his rookie season. He understands when to attack and put his teammates in place to score. Morant doesn’t force himself inside traffic without knowing what the defense is running. Defenses in the NBA will build a wall inside the paint to slow down Morant in halfcourt sets and in transition. Although teams try, it’s hard for them to succeed because of his IQ. For the last three-years, Morant has dominated near the rim consistently. He is the reason why the Grizzlies lead the NBA in ‘points in the paint’, as they average 57.1 points per game. Morant has a high percentage of 67.6 percent at the rim.
Morant knows the how to use screens, as Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson, and Bradon Clarke do a great job of screening for him. They are big on using ‘Horn sets’ so they are able to set towered screens because of their height. As the screens are set, it makes it much easier for Morant to use his first step so he can finish at the rim. Morant does a great job of manipulating the defender around screens, as he can go in-and-out with creative quickness and ballhandling. On 12.3 possessions, Morant scores 0.93 points per possession and puts him in the 74.6 percentile. He also averages 11.4 points per game and shots a 50.5 effective field goal percentage.
Besides handling himself around pick-and-roll, his shooting is improving dramatically. Morant can shoot off screens and be efficient in the catch-and-shoot (34.8 percent 3PT) method while being open. He isn’t shy at taking his shots when open or pulling up to cause the defense to commit on offense. When Morant can attack the driving lanes and shoot at the same time, it forces the defense to key on him while his teammates are open. Morant has become more versatile this season for the Grizzlies. On seven plus dribbles, Morant shoots the three-ball at 48.4 percent. He makes basketball look easy.
Morant does a great job of digging himself inside the paint off the screen. It allows him to baby midrange shots and floaters. He averages 43.5 percent outside the restricted area. Thanks to Morant’s quickness defenses have a hard time keeping Morant out the paint. Scheming against Morant is not easy because he is so dynamic with the basketball and knows how to find his shot.