Ja Morant is turning a new leaf six years into his NBA career.
The times of dropping haymakers with soundbites that would dominate sports talk shows are seemingly over. At least for now.
These days, Morant delivers subtle jabs every now and again, reminding his critics that he feels forgotten among the league’s stars.
“I see everything,” he said Friday after the Grizzlies’ preseason finale.
Everything includes being listed by NBA general managers as a candidate to be a breakout player in 2024 despite already being a two-time NBA All-Star. He also was ranked the league’s 20th best player in a recent ESPN player ranking. Being 20th is nothing to sneeze at, but it’s a drop-off from when he was deemed the ninth-best player two years ago.
In part, that’s why those around him believe the Grizzlies’ star has more than mere motivation. His agent, Mike Miller, said Morant is “coming for it” this year. Former Grizzlies star Zach Randolph also has had conversations with Morant.
“He hungry, man” Randolph said. “He’s ready to get out there. He’s itching. He’s scratching just to prove the naysayers wrong.”
A happy Ja . . .
Two years ago, when Morant was asked about being the ninth-best player in the NBA, he stated that he had eight spots to go. His approach has shifted to a more team-centric and simpler approach.
Morant has three goals this season. None of them include being an All-Star, winning MVP or setting personal records.
Those goals: Have fun, stay healthy and win a championship.
“We all want a parade here,” Morant said.
There’s a reason that of his three goals, having fun is first. That wasn’t the case last season. His mood was up and down as he battled through a 25-game suspension, then played nine games before injuring his shoulder and missing the remainder of the season.
Grizzlies teammates and coaches have spoken glowingly about Morant’s personality being on display, and that’s because he says he is happy and having fun.
“I feel like you can tell right now with the smile on my face,” Morant said. “I’m sure last year y’all ain’t see that too much.”
Finding the connection with Zach Edey
If Morant is to have a dominant season that’s blended with Grizzlies success, rookie Zach Edey will be a major reason why. That’s something Morant realized early, and he has been intentional about establishing a connection with the 7-foot-4 center.
Morant invited Edey to the Dallas area this summer, where the two worked out together, and he brought Edey over to his Memphis home and invited him to be around his family.
“The leader and person that he is has been great,” Edey said. ” . . . He makes me feel welcomed. He’s always trying to get everyone involved and make everyone feel comfortable.”
When Edey and Morant shared the floor for Friday’s preseason finale against the Miami Heat, Morant dished a no-look pass into the waiting hands of Edey for an open dunk.
“I’m pretty sure everybody love the connection me and Zach got,” Morant said. “To start the game off with a pass from me to a dunk to him, I know the crowd loves that.”
Accountability and reliability
It’s Year 6 for Morant, and it’s also the sixth season for Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. Through that relationship, the two have grown closer, leading to more constructive criticism.
Jenkins wants Morant to be a better defender. Morant is accepting the challenge. He notably caused an eight-second violation in the preseason finale after applying full-court pressure. That was something he rarely ever did.
Then there’s the shooting. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jenkins have been on Morant nonstop about shooting the ball more. Morant jokes that at this point of his career, if he doesn’t shoot the ball, one of the aforementioned people may curse him out.
“They know that’ll take my game to the next level and take us to the next level,” he said. “Them having that confidence in me to continue to shoot the ball is all you can ask for from your teammates and coaches. No shyness from me.”
But none of that might be Morant’s favorite part about his growth with Jenkins. The coach mixes basketball conversations with real life check-ins that deepen the relationship.
“That’s pretty much how you win your players because you’re connected on a different level,” Morant said.
GRIZZLIES EXPECTATIONS:Play-in or championship contender? Why Memphis Grizzlies are NBA’s biggest wild card
All of the pieces seem to be there for Morant to remind the league why he’s regarded as one of the best players. The approach may be a bit different, but according to Morant, neither his nor the Grizzlies’ swagger has gone anywhere. Right now, they’re adopting the “actions speak louder than words” mentality.
“It’s right here,” Morant said of his swagger. “You’re looking at it.”
The signs of that being the case were there in the preseason finale. He dazzled with flashy passes, he caught an alley-oop and the Grizzlies’ offense looked like the highlight machine of previous years.
His 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists seemed like an impressive season preview, but not to him.
“It’s still another gear to get to for me, too,” Morant said. “That was light right there. They’ll see.”
