From Face Of The League To Overlooked

As a young NBA fan, I’ve seen players like Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook dominate the league with their athleticism and ability to finish around the rim. But as time passed, those stars began to age, leading to a decline. Then, in 2019, a young Murray State star “rose” to the occasion. His name was none other than Ja Morant.

When Ja entered the league, he showcased his incredible athleticism, scoring effectively in the paint as a 6’2″ guard. He went on to win Rookie of the Year, averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. As the rookie displayed star potential, many thought he could be the next Derrick Rose. Each year after 2019, Ja improved in every aspect of his game, including his basketball IQ and jump shooting. It seemed inevitable that Ja Morant would one day become the face of the league. It wasn’t long before a Ja Morant-led Memphis Grizzlies team made the playoffs, and he became an All-Star for the first time in the 2021-2022 season. Although they lost in the first round, the following year they finished as the 2nd seed. Not even five years into the league, Morant was already considered one of the top point guards in the game. Around this time, there wasn’t a clear face for the NBA, as many stars were emerging. The league needed someone new to take over and represent it. And it seemed like Ja might be that someone… sort of.

Moving into 2022, as Ja was on the rise, an incident in July cast a shadow over his trajectory. During a basketball game, Ja was involved in an altercation where he punched a 17-year-old, Joshua Holloway, who later attempted to sue Morant. While Ja claimed self-defense, the incident caught the attention of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, but it wasn’t severe enough to jeopardize his career. However, during the spring of the 2023 season, Ja’s troubles escalated. While out at a club with friends, Ja appeared on Instagram Live with a gun visible in the video. The NBA responded by suspending him for eight games. After the suspension, Ja entered a program to improve his well-being, hoping it would change things. Yet, just two months later, in May, he was caught again displaying a gun in a friend’s car on social media. This led to a 25-game suspension from the league, a significant setback given that Ja was on the verge of becoming the NBA’s next face. Fans had mixed opinions on the situation, with some noting that Ja hadn’t committed any crimes, but it was still a huge deal as his rise to superstardom seemed to stall.

Entering the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Grizzlies struggled tremendously without their star player, starting 6-19. With Ja suspended, people started to overlook the Grizzlies. Off-court mistakes were affecting their on-court play, and critics questioned whether Ja was still worth consideration as the “king” of the league. Then, on December 19, 2023, Ja made his highly anticipated return. What if I told you that in his first game back, he delivered a standout performance, scoring 34 points, dishing out 8 assists, and grabbing 2 steals? He even hit the game-winning layup after the team had trailed by 24 points. There were no signs of rust upon his return, and he gave Memphis a renewed sense of hope, proving that he’s still one of the top guards in the league. But just nine games into the season, disaster struck again—Ja suffered a labral tear in his shoulder, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. The momentum that could have propelled the Grizzlies into playoff contention was lost. As a result, the Grizzlies’ season fell apart, and conversations about Ja became quieter. Many began to overlook both Morant and the Grizzlies heading into the next season.

As we approach the start of the new season, there are plenty of favorites, thanks to offseason moves by various teams. The Grizzlies, however, are determined to return to their winning ways, hoping for a healthier year after injuries derailed their previous campaign. They also added rookie center Zach Edey, who will step in as a replacement for Steven Adams since Adams was traded to Houston back in February. Edey brings plenty of upside, and don’t be surprised if he and Morant form a solid two-man game. During media day this past Monday, Morant expressed his excitement about coming back, saying, “I feel like a happy Ja is a scary Ja for a lot of people.” If Memphis can stay healthy, this core group can compete as a top seed in the West. With a starting lineup of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Edey, the Grizzlies boast a strong defensive lineup with depth off the bench. Bane is coming off a great year, averaging 23.7 points per game and shooting 38% from three on 8.6 attempts per game. Expect Smart and Jackson Jr., both former Defensive Player of the Year winners, to lead the defense. But the main star, Morant, returns with a chip on his shoulder. Watch out for the Morant-led Grizzlies as they claw their way back into contention and make noise this season.