GG Jackson II never played with Ja Morant during his first NBA season and only saw the two-time All-Star in nine games for the Memphis Grizzlies. He realized that with Morant back, the Grizzlies will change how they do things.
“When we got the head of the snake out there, everybody’s role is definitely going to change,” Jackson said about Morant.
Morant is the point guard who drives the Grizzlies’ fast pace. As he enters his sixth NBA season, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player, who was also on the 2021-22 All-NBA team, sets the quick tempo that helped Memphis secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for two straight seasons.
However, the Grizzlies struggled with a 27-55 record while Morant was suspended for the first 25 games due to off-court issues, followed by a shoulder injury that needed surgery and ended his season.
This might have been a hidden blessing for both Morant and the Grizzlies. Morant took the time to reflect on what matters most to him. He believes that the time away from basketball, along with focusing on healing his shoulder, helped him rethink his priorities.
“I’m blessed to be in the position that I’m in to do what I love at the highest level,” Morant said. “Being able to take care of my family and also putting them in positions to excel in whatever they want to do in life is my main goal. So all that’s going well right now. So I have no complaints.”
Nike, one of Morant’s sponsors, has released a new commercial featuring the tagline “I get up,” highlighting both his athleticism and his ability to overcome challenges.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins faced more than just Morant’s suspension and injury last season. He witnessed 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. improve his offensive skills, along with GG Jackson and Vince Williams, both of whom are dealing with injuries that will keep them out when Memphis starts the season Wednesday night at Utah.
Morant remains a threat with his impressive dunks, skill in passing to open teammates, and ability to score at the basket. Jenkins mentioned that it’s been enjoyable to see Morant’s attitude this offseason, especially after doctors cleared him in mid-July.
Morant began working hard with his teammates, including inviting rookie and two-time AP Player of the Year Zach Edey to join him.
The point guard invited Edey to summer workouts, which helped the 7-foot-4 center lose weight, getting down to 290 pounds by the start of training camp. Jenkins noted that Morant is excited about the upcoming season.
“We all know that it’s an exciting time of the year,” Jenkins said. “We’ve got a group that we believe in, but there are going to be certain individuals on the team that will need to lead in our competitiveness, our togetherness, and truly set the tone for getting better and holding ourselves accountable.
He’s been focused in the conversations I’ve had with him, and I’ve seen it with his teammates. These guys are focused right now, especially him.”
Jaren Jackson, who was drafted fourth overall a year before Memphis selected Morant at No. 2 in 2019, is just happy to have his teammate back healthy. Morant told reporters on media day that he feels good, which can make him a daunting player for some in the NBA. Jackson said a healthy player is a confident player.
“He can be any emotion and he’s going to be great,” Jackson said. The Grizzlies have built their team around Morant, Jackson, and shooting guard Desmond Bane, and general manager Zach Kleiman thinks they are just starting to reach their prime.
This is why they drafted Edey at No. 9 overall to support a half-court offense that has struggled when opponents slow down the Grizzlies. Jenkins has been working on plays to combine Morant, Jackson, Bane, and 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart with Edey.
Morant is still the key player. He averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game in the 2021-22 season and received votes for league MVP in both 2022 and 2023.
If he meets Basketball-Reference.com’s projections of averaging 28 points over 36 minutes this season, that could put the Grizzlies back in the running not just in the Western Conference but across the NBA.
Staying on the court, whether through good health or avoiding off-court issues, will be crucial for Morant and the Grizzlies. The 6-foot-2, 174-pound guard has never played more than 67 games, which was during his rookie season. He has also missed important games in each of Memphis’ last two postseasons.
“Obviously, I want to be out there every game,” Morant said. “So now my main focus is to be able to do that.”
