WATCH: Viral video shows nearly identical plays by Ja Morant and Derrick Rose
At 22-years-old, Ja Morant has already caught the attention of the NBA. Whether it be Reggie Miller’s compliment at the All-Star Game or Allen Iverson’s MVP endorsement, Morant has already become one of basketball’s most exciting players. Explosive dunks, deep threes, and acrobatic assists are all entrenched in Morant’s game. His meteoric rise to stardom […]
At 22-years-old, Ja Morant has already caught the attention of the NBA. Whether it be Reggie Miller’s compliment at the All-Star Game or Allen Iverson’s MVP endorsement, Morant has already become one of basketball’s most exciting players.
Explosive dunks, deep threes, and acrobatic assists are all entrenched in Morant’s game. His meteoric rise to stardom has taken the NBA by storm having already started an All-Star game in just his third season.
In its 27-year history, the Memphis Grizzlies have never seen a player like Morant. Grizzlies fans were once again reminded of that as he set a franchise record with 52 points in Monday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs.
While comparisons are cheap in the NBA, where seemingly every player has a unique skillset, that has never stopped the basketball world from doing so nonetheless. The latest example comes in the form of a side-by-side video with Morant and Derrick Rose. Rose was crowned league MVP in 2011 at 22-years-old, an award Morant is currently vying for.
As shown in the video, both players have generational leaping ability as they each finish off an alley-oop – Morant with his left hand and Rose with his right.
Rose made three All-Star appearances in his first four years in the NBA before tearing his ACL in the 2012-13 season with the Chicago Bulls. Nine years after the injury, Rose is still a contributing member of the New York Knicks today. However, he was never able to return to his MVP form.
Like Rose, Morant’s explosiveness has produced a litany of highlights three years into his career. Also like Rose, every time Morant explodes off of the floor, fans hold their breath.
Morant acknowledged the comparisons to Rose in a November interview with Yahoo Sports saying,
“I definitely see the comparisons, but D-Rose is one of a kind and one special player and you can see the similarities, sure, but there can never be another Derrick Rose.”
While no two players can be the same, these two players at the top of their respective games are appointment television. While Rose, at 33-years-old, does not fall under that category any longer, there are still occasional flashes of brilliance in his game.
With just 19 games remaining in the regular season, Morant has his eyes set on winning the franchise’s first ever Southwest Division title. With an abundance of similarities between the two players, Morant is striving to accomplish something Rose has never been able to – winning an NBA title.
Featured image via Winslown Townson – USA TODAY Sports
