One NBA legend had high praise for Ja Morant at the NBA All-Star Game
The Memphis Grizzlies were well represented in the NBA All-Star Game Sunday night in Cleveland, Ohio, with Ja Morant dazzling on the floor alongside the league’s best players. Morant was joined by his teammate Desmond Bane who participated in the Rising Stars tournament and three-point competition earlier in the weekend. Aside from one of the […]
The Memphis Grizzlies were well represented in the NBA All-Star Game Sunday night in Cleveland, Ohio, with Ja Morant dazzling on the floor alongside the league’s best players. Morant was joined by his teammate Desmond Bane who participated in the Rising Stars tournament and three-point competition earlier in the weekend.
Aside from one of the worst Dunk Contests in recent memory, the weekend was a resounding success for the NBA. The real dunk contest took place during the All-Star Game, in which Morant scored what might be the most impressive six points in the game’s history.
In the first quarter, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young found Morant cutting to the basket and dished him a pass which resulted in a reverse jam on an alley-oop that pulled Morant’s head even with the rim.
However, the connection didn’t stop there. Morant finished a second lob from Young in the second quarter, but this time the Grizzlies star completed a full 360-degree twist in mid-air.
In Morant’s first career All-Star appearance, he was able to catch the attention of Hall of Famer and Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller. Miller raved over Morant’s show-stopping qualities describing him as the “number one box office player in the NBA.”
Despite playing just 18 minutes, Morant came away as one of the biggest winners from the All-Star Game. However, to the chagrin of Grizzlies fans, four bench players received more minutes than the 22-year-old out of Murray State.
While Grizzlies fans wanted to see Morant represent the city of Memphis well while sharing the floor with the league’s best, Morant realizes the opportunities that lie ahead for his team.
Morant has been dealing with a troublesome left ankle since being diagnosed with a Grade 2 Sprain last season. After making contact with a cameraman just over a week ago in Charlotte, Morant’s ankle was the reason he did not suit up for Tuesday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
For the Grizzlies (41-19) who sit atop the Southwest Division, seeing Morant on what could have been described as a “minutes restriction” in the exhibition game was the safest approach. With 22 games left in the regular season, Memphis currently sits in 3rd in the Western Conference standings.
A healthy Morant is the most important asset for the Grizzlies coming down the stretch and in search of their first division title in franchise history. And if the All-Star Game was any indication, Morant looks to be primed for a big finish.
Featured image via David Richard – USA TODAY Sports
