Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
The Memphis Grizzlies are winners of 6 straight games.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Brandon Dill/AP.)
In mid-November, I talked about how there is a lot to like about Ja Morant’s game. As he gets more acclimated to the NBA game, he’s also becoming appointment TV. He’s dazzling crowds with his handles and passes and surprising everyone with his three-point shooting. In a big win against Houston, Ja went for 26 points and only missed one out of his 11 shots. Dude is a STAR.
He’s quickly becoming a leader for the team in his young age. We’ve talked about his fearlessness towards his drives, which has scared his team and fans alike because he puts himself so much at risk. But it’s that type of play that has also Morant gaining fans. Ja is just so ahead of the curve. They run quite a bit because they have a young team (Jae Crowder is the oldest active player on the team at 29!) but Ja has also showed a lot of patience when it comes to running the offense. The combination of this has made the Grizzlies 1st in the league in assists at almost 28 dimes per game.
Let us remind you that Ja is in the forefront of a Grizzlies team that has won 6 straight games. Grizz are currently #8 in the West. Obviously, it’s easy to say that Ja Morant is doing it all but of course, it’s a team effort. Dillon Brooks has stepped up during the winning streak and has been an assassin behind the arc. So has Jaren Jackson, Jr.. You know who else has been very good from three? Jonas Valanciunas. He doesn’t shoot much from there but you can’t give it to him as he’s shooting a nice 43 percent from there.
We still have the dirty work coming from elder statesman Crowder. We have back-up guards De’Anthony Melton and Tyus Jones doing well holding down the fort. And Brandon Clarke continues to make teams regret passing on him in the draft. The Grizz are a young and exciting team that is looking more dangerous as the season has gone on.
And the win that started the streak is looking less like a fluke, which was a blowout win against the Clippers at Staples. They’ve beaten Phoenix, Minnesota, San Antonio, Golden State, and Houston. Grizz aren’t scared of anyone and Ja Morant made sure to let James Harden know about it.
The Grizzlies are still three games under .500 and they’ll have a test on Wednesday to get to that mark. They have the Cavs on Friday and the Pelicans on MLK Day. THEN they’ll have a game at Boston next week.
Hey, the Grizzlies are supposed to be in “rebuilding mode.” But the process has accelerated into probably getting a spot at the playoffs this spring. Like Morant’s favorite player (and the player he tries to emulate), Russell Westbrook, would say, “Why not?”
Bullet Passes
Talks about the Clippers’ demise will probably shut down for now after Kawhi Leonard scored 43 points in a blowout against the Cavs.
The Jazz have won 10th straight after getting rid of the Nets. I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT THE JAZZ.
I don’t agree with this ejection of Devin Booker. I’ve seen players do WAY worse than a one-second stare.
Booker had scored 39 by that point. Trae Young countered with 36 points in the rare Hawks win.
Now Zion Williamson is expected to debut on January 22nd, which is a week from now. My pants are down. I am ready for this.
The Scoreboard
PHX 110 (16-24) @ ATL 123 (9-32)
UTA 118 (28-12) @ BRK 107 (18-21)
HOU 110 (26-13) @ MEM 121 (19-22)
NY 102 (11-30) @ MIL 128 (36-6)
DAL 124 (25-15) @ GS 97 (9-33)
CLE 103 (12-29) @ LAC 128 (28-13)
Watch This Play
I’ll leave you guys with Ja and Jaren Jackson, Jr. doing their thing…
(VIDEO CREDIT: Ball Kingdom.)
…as they take care of some Grizz Bizz.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.