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The 2019 NBA draft has produced a few good players who are still developing. The first three picks turned out to be good players, and one of them appears to be special. Ja Morant was the second pick and he may be a top MVP candidate this season.
On ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, analyst Stephen A. Smith said that Morant was a superstar. He also refuted TNT analyst Charles Barkley's assertion that Morant does not make his teammates better.
"I cry once a month, because Ja Morant got drafted a pick ahead of the New York Knicks, who got RJ Barrett with the No. 3 overall pick because John Morant went No. 2," said Smith, a known New York Knicks fan. "Could you imagine Ja Morant in Madison Square Garden? Lord have mercy."
Though Barrett is not a bad player by any means, he is no Ja Morant. Barrett will not be leading the Knicks into contention anytime soon.
Last season, Ja Morant finished seventh in MVP voting. If Morant were healthy in the Western Conference semifinals, the Grizzlies may have beaten the Golden State Warriors last season.
Morant is off to a hot start, averaging 29.3 ppg along with 6.2 apg to lead Memphis (9-6).
Are the Grizzlies ready to challenge for the West?
Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated by the Warriors 4-2 in a series where the Grizzlies did not have their best player available for most of the series. With Ja Morant out with an injury for the final three games, they still took the eventual champions to 6 games.
Memphis is back this season with goals to advance past the Western Conference semifinals. Leading the charge is MVP candidate Ja Morant. Last season, Morant received the Most Improved Award and was named All-NBA for the first time in his career. Morant has played even better this season, averaging a career-high 29.3 ppg.
Morant has a good supporting cast, starting with third-year player Desmond Bane, who is averaging a career-high 24.7 ppg. The team also receives solid scoring support from forward Dillon Brooks and guard Tyus Jones. Steve Adams provides veteran experience at the center position, and Jaren Jackson Jr. returned to the lineup on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies (9-6) are tied for first place in the Southwest Division. The team will be back in action against the OKC Thunder on Friday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
