2025-11-14 09:00

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2019 NBA Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who's covered basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous draft classes come and go, but there was something particularly electric about that night at Barclays Center. The anticipation wasn't just about Zion Williamson going first - everyone expected that - but about who would follow. When the Memphis Grizzlies selected Ja Morant as the second overall pick, I recall thinking this could either be a franchise-altering moment or another cautionary tale in the making. Looking back now, five seasons later, Morant's journey embodies what that reference about volleyball-crazed nations and narrow losses means to me - when expectations reach impossible heights, even minor setbacks get magnified beyond reason.

What struck me immediately about Morant was his explosive athleticism combined with that rare court vision you can't teach. I've been fortunate to watch hundreds of young players transition from college to the pros, but Morant's rookie season felt different. He averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists that first year, numbers that don't fully capture how he immediately transformed the Grizzlies' culture. I remember watching him drop 30 points against the Lakers in just his fifth professional game and thinking, "This kid isn't just good - he's going to be special." The Grizzlies improved from 33 wins the previous season to 34 wins in Morant's rookie year, then jumped to 38 wins in the pandemic-shortened season. That steady progress reminded me of how building a contender requires patience, something fans often struggle with when they want immediate results.

Then came the 2021-22 season where everything clicked. Morant averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds while earning his first All-Star selection and winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. I was covering the game when he had that spectacular 52-point performance against the Spurs - one of those nights where you feel privileged to witness basketball artistry. The Grizzlies finished with 56 wins, their second-best record in franchise history, and suddenly Memphis felt like a legitimate championship contender. This is where that volleyball analogy really resonates with me - when Morant made that leap, the expectations skyrocketed to almost unreasonable levels. Every loss, every minor struggle became magnified in a way that felt disproportionate to the actual situation.

The past two seasons, however, have been what I'd characterize as the "complex chapter" of Morant's story. The 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 season following his firearm-related incidents created what I believe was the most challenging period of his young career. Watching from the sidelines as his team struggled without him, then witnessing his triumphant return with that game-winning buzzer-beater against New Orleans - it was the kind of dramatic narrative you'd dismiss as too Hollywood if it were fiction. Yet here's what many analysts miss when discussing Morant: his statistical production has remained elite whenever he's been on the court. Before his shoulder injury ended his most recent season prematurely, he was averaging 25.1 points and 8.1 assists while shooting a career-best 47% from the field.

I've had conversations with basketball executives who privately express that Morant's situation represents the modern athlete's dilemma - incredible talent sometimes accompanied by off-court learning curves that play out in public view. The Grizzlies' record without Morant in the lineup speaks volumes about his value - they were 6-19 during his suspension last season and immediately looked like a different team upon his return. This dependency creates what I see as both a blessing and a curse - the team rises with him but struggles profoundly without him, creating those "narrow losses" that feel particularly painful because everyone knows how close they were to victory with their superstar available.

Where does this leave Morant now as he approaches what should be the prime of his career? At just 24 years old, he's already accomplished more than most players do in entire careers - Rookie of the Year, two All-Star selections, Most Improved Player, and a max contract extension that kicks in next season. Yet there's undeniable uncertainty following his season-ending shoulder surgery. I'm optimistic about his physical recovery - modern sports medicine works miracles - but the psychological component interests me more. How does a player with Morant's explosive style adapt as he accumulates both accolades and injuries? The greatest players I've observed all went through this recalibration process - learning when to unleash their athleticism and when to rely on craft.

What often gets lost in the Morant discourse is how much he means to the city of Memphis. I've visited FedExForum numerous times, and the energy when Morant plays is qualitatively different. He's not just their best player - he's become part of the city's identity in a way reminiscent of what Allen Iverson meant to Philadelphia or what Damian Lillard represented in Portland. This connection creates what I consider both a protective shield and additional pressure - the community embraces him through struggles, but expectations remain sky-high. The Grizzlies have built their entire ecosystem around Morant's timeline, with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. forming what could be one of the league's most dynamic trios if health cooperates.

Looking ahead, I believe Morant's legacy will ultimately be defined by how he responds to these recent challenges. The NBA landscape has shifted dramatically since he entered the league, with new superstars emerging and championship windows appearing more fleeting than ever. The Western Conference has become particularly brutal, with at least six legitimate contenders before even considering wildcard teams. For Memphis to break through, they'll need Morant not just healthy but evolved - both as a player and as a leader. My prediction? We haven't seen the best of Ja Morant yet. The players who face adversity early often develop the resilience needed for sustained greatness. The narrow losses that currently cause concern might eventually become the foundation for future triumphs - the painful lessons that make victory taste sweeter when it finally arrives.