Memphis has a new Messiah
As well as just about anyone, I know how much the Grizzlies mean to the city of Memphis. For four years throughout high school, I had the privilege of observing the team up close and personal with my father from seats G1 and G2, our season tickets positioned just behind the opposing team’s bench.
However, because I moved to Memphis in the summer of 2015, I didn’t have the opportunity to behold the Grizzlies at their peak. Rather, I caught the back end and demise of an era. Throughout my time in the 901, I witnessed Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and ultimately the Grit and Grind period slowly fade into dust like Thanos had snapped the Infinity Gaunlet.
But all the while, the fans never wavered. There were butts in the seats night in and night out for all forty-one home games, each person cheering their hearts out for whatever ragtag group of players Chris Wallace had put on the court. That may seem a bit odd to some, but it makes perfect sense to me, knowing what I know about that culture.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the people of Memphis, it’s that they have immense pride about anything regarding their city, from the basketball team to the barbeque. In their minds, it is the 650,000 of them against the world. Well, make that 650,001 now. They picked up this kid out of Murray State in last year’s draft.
And if you haven’t heard, let me be the first to tell you: Temetrius “Ja” Morant is something special.
In his first half season, Morant is averaging 17.6 points and 6.6 assists on 48% from the field, numbers strong enough to place him at the forefront of the rookie of the year race. He has been everything the Grizzlies hoped for and more, and Ja Fever is running rampant in the Home of the Blues.
But it’s not just Ja’s ability that has captivated Beale Street. The dude simply has an aura about him, an edge that citizens of Memphis are drawn to like rock and roll fans to Graceland. The manner in which he approaches the game is a microcosm of the mentality of the entire city: a perpetual chip on the shoulder mixed with fearlessness, with a dash of flash and pizzazz.
Morant isn’t the first talented player to take the court with the Grizz. Guys such as Mike Conley, Shane Battier, and the Gasol brothers have all came and left their fingerprints on the city. However, none of them managed to make substantial national waves: they were merely appreciated within the a relatively small community of fans. In Memphis’ franchise history, zero players have made the Hall of Fame, two have made all NBA teams, and just three players have been so much as named to the All-Star team.
In just his rookie season, Ja Morant is already tenth in fan voting returns for Western Conference guards.
It’s no secret that small market teams such as Memphis have a much more difficult path to the spotlight. In recent years, the Grizzlies’ franchise has been nothing but an afterthought to most people outside of the city. But it appears that that trend is beginning to shift, because this kid Ja has nationwide appeal. From his high-flying acrobatics, to his mind-scrambling handle, to his Nash-esque creativity, every time Morant steps on the court, it is showtime — and people are tuning in from coast to coast.
Ja has the ability to do for Memphis what Damian Lillard is doing for Portland, even Giannis is doing for Milwaukee.
That’s a heavy burden to load for twenty-year-old… but Ja Morant is ready. He’s no stranger to playing the underdog. At this point, his story of being unranked and recruited by James Kane out of the auxiliary gym of a prospect camp is well documented. We’re all well aware of his averaging 24.5 points and a nation-leading 10 assists to carry the oft forgotten about Murray State to the March Madness tournament, even upsetting 5th seed Marquette in the first round. He’s built to thrive where no one else will. If there’s anyone equipped to spearhead the Grizzlies’ return to relevancy, it’s Ja.
It won’t be entirely on his shoulders, though. Obviously, Memphis will have to continue to add to their talented young core that already features the likes of Jaren Jackson, Brandon Clarke, and Dillon Brooks. These players will be imperative to supporting the number two pick both on and off the court, which will be especially important when the time arrives for Ja to sign his rookie extension. The coaching staff will be counted upon to recognize areas in need of improvement for Morant, and work with him to fulfill his potential.
But, ultimately, this is the dawn of the Ja Morant era, and a new era in Grizzlies’ basketball.
Memphis’ Messiah has arrived.
