As Monday came to an end, one can only imagine that Ja Morant said, in the words of Ice Cube, “Today was a good day.”
First, on Monday afternoon, the league announced that Grizzlies guard had been named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week. This is Morant’s first time being honored as player of the week, and the 11th overall for the team.
The Murray State standout tallied 34.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.33 steals during three straight victories from December 27 to January 2, 2022, while shooting 55.7 percent from the field (39-70 FG) and 80.0 percent from 3-point range (12-15 3P).
Then on Monday night, Morant solidified himself as one of the NBA’s superstars as he put on a masterclass against Brooklyn with 36 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. He messed around and almost got a triple-double as I can hear him say, “Today was a good day.” It was the fourth time in as many games that Morant had scored 30 or more points, which set a new team record.
The 22-year-old even received MVP chants in Barclays Center as he was at the line shooting free throws. Morant led Memphis to their fifth straight victory, knocking off the Nets 118-104 as the Grizzlies moved to 24-14 on the season.
After the game, Kevin Durant had nice words to say about Morant. “He’s just controlling the game. Always been an efficient player who can run the point guard spot,” Durant said.
“He’s developed into a major scorer as well,” Durant added. “He just plays at a great pace out there — plays with joy and enthusiasm. You see him blossom in front of our eyes. Since college he’s been on this trajectory. As a basketball fan you can’t wait to see what it’s like years going forward.”
“He’s special,” Desmond Bane said about Morant. “People are debating whether or not he should be an All-Star. I think we should be debating whether he’s the best point guard in the league. I don’t think it’s any question if he’s an All-Star. The real conversation is, ‘Is he the best point guard in the league?’” Bane finished the night with 29 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins wholeheartedly believes Morant is an All-Star. “I have come out and said he’s absolutely an All-Star,” Jenkins said. “But I think the follow-up to that is that he should be because he impacts winning with his style of play. It’s whatever his teammates need, it’s multiple assists, the rebounding and taking on defensive assignments. Then, obviously, there’s the scoring ability. It comes in the paint, from the free-throw line and the 3-point line. His decision making is just constantly getting better game after game.”
“With a performance like that, like I’ve said before, all he cares about is winning, let’s keep winning. Obviously, he’s a huge piece to us winning. He empowers his teammates.”
When asked about the All-Star talk, Morant said, “I really don’t focus on it too much, honestly. Everybody who knows me, including my teammates, people throughout the organization know I’m a very humble guy, but I’m also confident.
“So I’m gonna let my teammates continue to talk for me,” he added. I’m gonna just go out there and do what I can on the floor to help prove their case right even more.”
As for the MVP chants inside the Barclays Center, Morant was appreciative. He said, “It was surreal, obviously something I’ve been working for and to prove that I’m one of the top players in this league and my play as of late helping me with that and obviously giving me a lot more recognition from our fans to away fans.” He has heard multiple MVP chants at the FedExForum.
Morant continued, “But to hear MVP chants on the road is different. It’s probably people who are rooting for the home team at a time, but still showing me love and respect — it’s big time; obviously, something I work for though. I just have to continue to work, go out there and play my game on the floor and do whatever I can to help my team win. That’s pretty much my main goal.”
For Morant, statistics, honors, and recognition mean nothing until they lead to wins for his team.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Morant should be heading to Cleveland for his first career NBA All-Star selection next month.
