The Memphis Grizzlies are a legitimate threat in the West (third in the standings with a record of 35-18) and a very large part of their power is definitely their star player, Ja Morant.
Morant has been a terrific NBA player since he entered the league three seasons ago.
But this year he’s taken it to a whole other level.
Morant is averaging 26.4 points, six rebounds, and 6.8 assists a game and is easily the heart and soul of the revitalized Grizzlies.
All year long, Morant has been boosting his team full of energy and spirit and has been performing some of the best plays of the season.
EVERY Ja Morant dunk this season, in order pic.twitter.com/RHP5IaPBv6
— Eric (@EricTweetsNBA) January 30, 2022
There is no doubt that he’s in contention for this season’s MVP.
Yet, even if he doesn’t win that trophy this is already a year for history books for the young point guard.
More Than Numbers
You have already seen that Morant is putting up some amazing numbers this year but are they the best in the league?
Technically, no – and that would lead some to think that maybe he doesn’t have a shot at being MVP this year.
However, it needs to be stressed that winning MVP is about far more than just having the best numbers of your career, it’s more than putting up the most points or grabbing the most boards.
Being MVP is about being someone who can drive an entire team – and really an entire league – forward.
MVP is exactly that: the most valuable player on a team and in the NBA for that year.
This year, you can totally make the argument that Morant is just that.
Take a look at how far the Grizzlies have come.
They are playing like a team that knows their value and knows their potential but also doesn’t just rest on those things.
Memphis is coming out swinging every single night, playing like each game is a playoffs event.
How can they not when Morant is performing with the sort of spirt and attitude that he has?
It’s downright infectious and has spread to the rest of the team.
Ja Morant is the first player in Grizzlies history with 15 FG in consecutive games. pic.twitter.com/uEXbemC62p
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 1, 2022
The Grizzlies are something of an underdog story: after years of toiling away in the West and not getting better, they are rocketing up the rankings and stand a chance to go all the way to the Finals this year.
That’s the sort of narrative that the NBA should be proud of – and a lot of it is due to Morant’s stellar season.
Compare & Contrast
Make no mistake: there are many other terrific players that are in the running for MVP this year.
From last year’s MVP Nikola Jokic to Giannis Antetokounmpo to Kevin Durant or Steph Curry, these are big names who deserve another shot at that title.
It’s not that Morant is better than any of these guys but when you compare him to them, he’s definitely in the same ballpark.
You couldn’t say that last year or the season before.
It goes to show just how much of a superstar Morant has become this season.
An MVP award at the end of this year would be true confirmation that Morant has become one of the best players in the league and is truly able to go toe-to-toe with the other MVPs.
You have to admit that Morant is having one of the best seasons of his career and has taken his game – and his team – to new heights.
That’s why he’s definitely worthy of being MVP.
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