In Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered a costly blow, with superstar guard Ja Morant going down with a hand injury that many believed would officially end his season.
Despite losing Game 1 to LeBron James and company, the Grizzlies were able to bounce back in Game 2 without Morant on the floor and get the win to tie the series at one game apiece before heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
With Morant’s status still up in the air due to his injured hand, Memphis may have to press on without their superstar on the floor for the next two games in Los Angeles.
Although the second-seeded team in the Western Conference played well without Morant, many have questioned whether Memphis can win this series without him, but Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports believes the team is better without him and backs it up with statistics.
"They're a better team without him… He's not a great basketball player overall. He's a great scorer."
— @ColinCowherd on Grizzlies taking Game 2 without Ja Morant pic.twitter.com/TZOSP9QSLe
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 20, 2023
Even though Cowherd has the numbers to back up his claim that the Grizzlies are a better team without Morant, it’s hard to accept that argument regarding the eye test.
No player on the Grizzlies roster can take over a game like Morant or put up the numbers he can in the scoring and assist departments.
Although it remains to be seen if Morant is a winner in this league, as the comparisons to former Philadelphia 76ers superstar Allen Iverson become increasingly apparent, the case for Memphis being better without him has yet to be made.
It’ll be interesting to see how Memphis continues this series in Los Angeles if Morant doesn’t return and whether the Grizzlies genuinely are a better team without their superstar.
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