USA Today via Reuters
May 21, 2021; San Francisco, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 21, 2021; San Francisco, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are having one hell of a season. They are currently in the third spot in the Western Conference, which is way ahead of anyone’s predictions. Ja Morant is coming up in the MVP discussions based on his outstanding play. He has been spectacular all year long, and he has led this squad from the front.
Morant’s play has earned him applauds from various NBA Legends. One of them includes Shaquille O’Neal, a former NBA superstar. He has raved about Ja and the Memphis Grizzlies throughout the year. Recently, he likened Ja to one of his former teammates, Kobe Bryant.
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 24, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) dunks during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Shaq discussed the mindset between Morant and his former teammate, Kobe Bryant. On the Big Podcast with Shaq, he said “I wasn’t talking about the player. I was talking about the attitude. When Kobe came in at 19, he knew he was the s**t, he just knew it. The coach will be like, ‘don’t do that play,’ Kobe would be like, ‘nope, I’m doing it.’ Like this kid is really freaking good and he knows it.”
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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant yells out in frustration after just missing a circus shot against the Nuggets defense late in the first half in game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“And there’s not a lot of people you can say that about in this league as a young player. That’s what I mean by that.
Ja Morant says there can only be one Kobe Bryant
Ja Morant was happy that Shaq was comparing to such a great player, but he said there can only be one. He said “Much respect to the OG, but I’m not Bean. There will never be another Kobe Bryant”.
When asked about his favorite Kobe Bryant moment, Ja said it was the game where he shot with his left hand because he tore his rotator cuff. He said that moment describes Kobe for him.
Ja Morant Responds to @SHAQ:
“Much respect to the OG, but I’m not Bean. There will never be another [@kobebryant].
As for favorite Bryant moment he referenced when Bryant tore his rotator cuff & came out shot w his left hand. “That describes me.”#GrindCity #LakeShow #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/XaXJYVnVLu
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) January 24, 2022
Even though Ja Morant is playing amazing basketball, it is still too early to compare Ja to the Great Kobe Bryant. Kobe came into the league as a high school kid and he left the league as a legend.
He is one of the greatest players in NBA history. His impact and legacy stretch beyond the confines of the court. The immense respect that the players show to Kobe just shows how much he meant to them.
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