Tenaciously electrifying, Memphis Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant is an absolute stud.
The 22-year-old point guard is putting up MVP-worthy numbers with averages of 27.6 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds. Morant is shooting close to 50 percent from the field and a slightly improved 34 percent from 3 on 4.5 attempts a game. He’s destined to make an All-NBA team this season and his Grizzlies are No. 2 in the West with a stellar record of 51-23.
Oh and Morant is just in his third season.
NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
Morant however, has missed 18 games this season due to various injuries. He’s currently sidelined with a sore knee and according to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, Morant will be out for several more games as he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Morant is expected to be back before the playoffs but interestingly enough, his absences this season haven’t really affected the Grizzlies in the slightest.
MORE: Morant injury update: Will Grizzlies star be back for playoffs?
In fact, the Grizzlies are 18-2 without Morant this season.
So what gives? Are the Grizzlies actually better without Morant?
No Ja, No Problem
The main reason the Grizzlies have been successful without Morant this season is simple — they’re just a really good team.
Sounds too simple? Let's a look at the roster.
Grizzlies vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman has phenomenally remade this roster from the team’s Grit 'n Grind years. This team is built in such a way, that they could do a lot more than weather the storm of Morant’s absence.
"We roll deep. We have a lot of guys that can go," guard Desmond Bane told ESPN during his postgame interview on Wednesday. "Obviously Ja's our leader, superstar, one of the best players in the league, but we have a good team behind him."
Bane ain’t lying.
Center Steven Adams is an elite screener and hard nosed defender. Forward Jaren Jackson is a legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate and is leading the league in blocks with 2.3 per game. Bane is averaging 18.2 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the field and an excellent 42.2 percent from 3. Forward Kyle Anderson is Mr. Consistent, a true jack-of-all-trades player that can do everything.
And then there’s the deep bench, with always solid play coming from De’Anthony Melton, Tyus Jones, Brandon Clarke and rookie Zaire Williams. Plus, Dillion Brooks, a tough-as-nails defender and absolute true hopper, just returned from a lengthy injury absence.
“Roll deep” indeed.
Don’t Forget About Coach
Can you call a 37-year-old a wunderkind? Anything over 30 is just too old, right?
But really, compared to the other elder statesman of the coaching profession, 37-year-old Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins is a wunderkind. It’s really the only word that fits.
In just his third season, Jenkins has continued to unlock new dimensions of his team, figuring out how to elevate Memphis’ level of play through player buy-in and his own true passion for the game. He’s a highly-organized basketball mind, whose dedication to the little things has led to great success in such a short period of time.
Memphis’ success when Morant has been out is due in large part to Jenkins’ system and ability to coach. He’s a legitimate Coach of the Year candidate and has the Grizzlies over 50 wins, a first for the franchise since the 2014-2015 season. And after being a play-in team last season, Memphis has clinched the No. 2 seed in the West.
Couple Jenkins’ coaching acumen and leadership with Memphis’ talented and deep roster, and it’s no wonder the team has been able to continue their high level of play without Morant.
And just think about how good they’ll be when he returns. Just in time for the playoffs.
