Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is something special – really special.
So far this season, he is averaging 25.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists a game.
He’s also 40.0 percent from the three-point line and 70 percent from beyond the arc in the last five games.
RT to salute @jamorant on being named @NBA Western Conference POTW 🥷
34.6 ppg / 6.7 rpg / 4.6 apg / 80% from deep / 3-0 record #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/hcDTmckInn
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 3, 2022
If people didn’t know about Morant’s talent before, they know now: the other night he put 36 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in a 118-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, and last night he created 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yes, Morant is definitely one of the shining stars of the league – but is he the best point guard playing today?
He’s Beating The Best
Morant was sidelined for a while but since his return, his Grizzlies have beat the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Nets.
Morant came alive in the third quarter against the Nets: the Grizzlies outscored the Nets 40-26, with Morant putting up half of his 36 points in just those twelve minutes.
"You see him blossoming in front of our eyes"
Kevin Durant has high praise for Ja Morant: pic.twitter.com/mYTaKLwDDx
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 4, 2022
He’s having a gigantic season and he’s been putting up monster numbers for each of those games: 33 points against Chris Paul and the Suns and 41 against LeBron and his Lakers.
Morant isn’t phased by any team and any player and he’s playing with the sort of untouchable confidence that creates the most legendary point guards.
Plus, he’s got that swagger that is just downright fun to watch.
If Morant was creating these sorts of stats against only bad teams, it would be one thing.
But he’s not, he’s doing powerful work against some of the best teams in the entire association.
There is something to be said for that – it’s a strong argument that he’s easily one of the best point guards in the league.
But is he the very best?
A Crowded Field
To decide if Morant is the best point guard in the league, you have to look at the competition.
This year, the competition is fierce.
Chris Paul: 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists a game.
Stephen Curry: 27.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists a game.
Trae Young: 28.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 9.5 assists a game.
Based on those numbers, Young is probably the frontrunner for best point guard right now although all of those guys are bonafide rock stars (and Curry is still a favorite for MVP).
However, it seems that Morant is just warming up and that means that within the next few months, he might get even better and could really take the crown as the league’s best guard.
Plus, Morant has to be given credit because he is doing such astonishing work on a team that’s not as good as those playing with Paul or Young.
Yet, despite that, the Grizzlies are currently the fourth team in the West with a 24-14 record.
A large part of that is due to the mind-blowing season that Morant is having.
As Kevin Durant said, we are seeing Morant “blossoming in front of our eyes.”
He might not be the best point guard in the NBA – not yet anyway.
But time will tell; there’s a good chance he could be in the next few years…or even the next few months.
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