Shaquille O'Neal gives Ja Morant the ultimate compliment
Shaquille O’Neal has joined Allen Iverson and Reggie Miller as the latest NBA legend to fawn over Memphis Grizzlies phenom Ja Morant. Shaq shared his high regard for Morant on Tuesday night after a thrilling Grizzlies win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant is in the midst of a career year in his third season […]
Shaquille O’Neal has joined Allen Iverson and Reggie Miller as the latest NBA legend to fawn over Memphis Grizzlies phenom Ja Morant. Shaq shared his high regard for Morant on Tuesday night after a thrilling Grizzlies win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant is in the midst of a career year in his third season in the NBA, averaging 27.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 6.7 APG while leading Memphis to the second-best record in the league.
Memphis once again displayed its offensive prowess in the 132-111 victory over the Pelicans. With the game nationally televised on TNT, the Inside the NBA crew featuring Shaq, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley showered the Beale Street Bears with compliments.
Morant has frequently been the subject of high praise throughout the season, but nothing can compare to what Shaq said of the 22-year-old point guard.
“You should have seen his little cute face when I said, ‘Yo man, you’re the best player in the league,” said O’Neal, replaying his conversation. “I’m not playing with you brother, you’re the best for real. I promise you you’re the best.”
Not only did Shaq call Morant the best player in the league, but he continued on by comparing him to Hall of Fame guards Penny Hardaway and Kobe Bryant. While Hardaway and Bryant had different skillsets than Morant, it is his attitude towards winning that likens him to some of basketball’s greatest players.
Shaq and Morant are a match made in basketball heaven. With a never-back-down mentality, Morant not only embodies some of the NBA’s greatest champions, but his attitude perfectly represents the city of Memphis.
While he still has a ways to go before the rest of the basketball world anoints him as the game’s best player, Morant’s ascension into superstardom has been expeditious. The Grizzlies have not won a playoff series since the 2014-15 season, but Morant has the team primed for a deep run this summer.
Shaq concluded his exultation of Morant by saying, “This kid, it will definitely be his league in the next few years.”
Featured image via Petre Thomas – USA TODAY Sports
