GG Jackson II never had the chance to play alongside Ja Morant during his rookie NBA season and only saw the two-time All-Star in nine games with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He understands that with Morant back on the court, the team’s dynamics will shift. “When the head of the snake is out there, everyone’s role is definitely going to change,” Jackson stated regarding Morant. Morant is the point guard who propels the Grizzlies’ fast-paced style. Now entering his sixth NBA season, the 2020 Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player—who was also part of the 2021-22 All-NBA team—establishes the quick tempo that has helped Memphis earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for two consecutive years. However, the Grizzlies faced challenges with a 27-55 record during Morant’s 25-game suspension due to off-court issues, followed by a shoulder injury that required surgery and cut his season short.
This situation may have turned out to be a hidden blessing for both Morant and the Grizzlies. Morant took the opportunity to reflect on what truly matters to him. He believes that stepping away from basketball and focusing on healing his shoulder allowed him to reassess his priorities. “I’m fortunate to be in a position to pursue my passion at the highest level,” Morant said. “My main goal is to take care of my family and help them thrive in whatever they choose to do in life. Everything is going well right now, so I have no complaints.” Nike, one of Morant’s sponsors, has launched a new commercial featuring the tagline “I get up,” showcasing his athleticism and resilience in overcoming challenges. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins faced more than just Morant’s suspension and injury last season. He also saw 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 sideline them when Memphis begins the season Wednesday night at Utah.
Morant continues to pose a threat with his impressive dunks, skillful passing to open teammates, and scoring capability near the basket. Jenkins noted that it’s been enjoyable to witness Morant’s positive attitude this offseason, especially after he was cleared by doctors in mid-July.
Morant has been putting in hard work with his teammates, even inviting rookie and two-time AP Player of the Year Zach Edey to join him. The point guard welcomed Edey to summer workouts, helping the 7-foot-4 center shed some weight, dropping to 290 pounds by the start of training camp. Jenkins mentioned that Morant is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season. “We all recognize that this is an exciting time of year,” Jenkins said. “We have a team we believe in, but certain individuals will need to step up in terms of competitiveness, unity, and truly setting the tone for improvement and accountability.”
Jenkins
He added that Morant has been focused in their conversations, and that focus is evident among his teammates, especially with him leading the way. Jaren Jackson, who was drafted fourth overall a year before Memphis picked Morant at No. 2 in 2019, is just glad to see his teammate healthy again. Morant shared with reporters on media day that he feels great, making him a formidable player for others in the NBA. Jackson remarked that a healthy player exudes confidence. “He can embody any emotion, and he’s going to excel,” Jackson said. The Grizzlies have centered their team around Morant, Jackson, and shooting guard Desmond Bane, and general manager Zach Kleiman believes they are just beginning to hit their stride.
This is why they selected Edey with the ninth overall pick to bolster a half-court offense that has faced challenges when opponents slow down the Grizzlies. Jenkins has been developing plays to integrate Morant, Jackson, Bane, and 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart alongside Edey. Morant remains the pivotal player for the team. He averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game in the 2021-22 season and received MVP votes in both 2022 and 2023. If he meets Basketball-Reference.com’s projections of averaging 28 points over 36 minutes this season, it could position the Grizzlies as contenders not just in the Western Conference, but across the entire NBA. For Morant and the Grizzlies, staying on the court—whether through maintaining good health or avoiding off-court issues—is crucial. The 6-foot-2, 174-pound guard has never played more than 67 games in a season, which occurred during his rookie year, and he has missed key games in each of the last two postseason runs for Memphis. “Obviously, I want to be out there for every game,” Morant stated. “So my primary focus now is to ensure that I can do that.”
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