The NBA has become one of the most-watched American sports leagues in the world. Globally, very few leagues can match the impact and popularity of the NBA. However, this wasn’t always the case. During the 1970s, the NBA experienced a significant decline in viewership. However, the fortunes of the NBA changed once Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league in the 80s. They became the face of the league. Their exceptional performances on the court and likable off-court personas drew millions of viewers, breathing new life into the league and elevating its popularity to unprecedented levels.

However, the entry of Michael Jordan and his subsequent rise to superstardom coincided with the NBA’s golden era. Jordan’s transcendent talent elevated the NBA to stratospheric levels of popularity. Since Jordan, the NBA has marketed players like Shaq and Kobe Bryant as the face of the league. But it was LeBron “Chosen One” James, who assumed the mantle from MJ and carried it forward. With LeBron being the face of the league, the NBA has increased its global following. Nevertheless, with LeBron’s career nearing its conclusion, the league is in search of new superstars to take the game forward. Could Ja Morant take the mantle forward?

Can Ja Morant become the next face of the league?

The NBA possesses a wealth of emerging young superstars, including talents like Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jayson Tatum. Each of these players has the potential to step into the shoes of LeBron James and become the face of the league. However, one name creates more intrigue than others. Ja Morant has captured the imagination of NBA fans since his debut in 2019. His electrifying pace, dazzling ball-handling skills, and thunderous dunks have been a source of excitement for fans over the years.

Despite his superstar pedigree, Morant has encountered multiple disciplinary issues within the NBA. On 17th June, the NBA decided to suspend Ja Morant for 25 games after he brandished a firearm on Instagram Live. The suspension has cost him approximately $7.5 million. In an official statement, NBA supremo Adam Silver stated, “Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March, for which he was already suspended eight games.” Following an extended period on the sidelines, Morant finally made his much-anticipated comeback on December 19th against the Pelicans. Morant scored the decisive point for the victory, finishing the game with an impressive stat line of 34 points and 8 assists.

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In a recent interview, hip-hop icon and avid Suns supporter Lil Wayne expressed the belief that Ja Morant has the potential to be the successor to LeBron James as the face of the league. He said, “To me, the obvious answer is Ja… Ja’s teams are actually competitive when he’s there and doing his thing.” Morant certainly has the aura and skills to become the face of the NBA. However, Ja needs to mature and perform at an MVP-caliber level to achieve that. Hopefully, Ja can do that, especially after leading the Grizzlies to back-to-back wins.

Can Morant’s return propel the Grizzlies into playoff contention?

Morant has made an instant impact on the Grizzlies’ recent performances. Since his return, the Grizzlies have won both their games. But still, the Grizzlies have a lot of ground to cover up. They currently occupy the 13th spot in the Western Conference standings, having won just 9 games and losing another 19. It’s fair to assume that the Memphis Grizzlies have little to no chance to make it to the postseason. However, stranger things have happened in the NBA.

Their chance becomes even more slim when looking at the wealth of talented teams in the Western Conference. However, the Grizzlies possess an extremely talented set of players, who have the experience of making it to the playoffs. Last season, Memphis finished 2nd (with a record of 51 wins and 31 losses) in a fiercely competitive Western Conference. In addition to Ja, the Grizzlies are fortunate to have the last two Defensive Players of the Year in Marcus Smart (2022) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (2023). Morant’s back-court partner, Desmond Bane, has leaped into borderline All-Star territory. Nevertheless, as of now, it appears highly improbable for the Grizzlies to secure a playoff spot. If they manage to accomplish this feat, their turnaround could go down in the annals of NBA folklore.

What do the underlying stats suggest?

The underlying stats do not paint a pretty picture for the Grizzlies fans. Although the Grizzlies remain one of the best teams defensively, their problems lie in offense. They have recorded a defensive rating of 112.6, which is the 8th-best mark in the league. On the contrary, they have recorded an offensive rating of 106.8, the worst in the NBA.

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Another problem area for the Grizzlies is their three-point shooting. Currently, they are shooting at a clip of 33.7% from beyond the arc, which is the 7th worst mark in the entire NBA. Morant’s return might address Memphis’ offensive struggles. However, the Grizzlies really need to address their 3-point shooting. Otherwise, they could be out of the playoff picture by the All-Star break.

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