Shaq argues for Ja Morant's MVP case.
After tonight's blowout win over the Phoenix Suns, the Memphis Grizzlies are on a 10-game win streak with a 30-13 record this season.
Somehow, with several of their key players in and out of the lineup for half of the season, the Grizzlies have stayed the course and kept their lead over conference rivals.
All along the way, Ja Morant has been the star of the show with averages of 27.4 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game on 46.6% shooting.
Speaking on Morant and the Grizzlies, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal gave the young stud his due and made the case for his name on the MVP ballot.
“I don't get upset a lot but I'm upset. Cause when all you experts talk about MVPs, you don't say Ja Morant's name enough. Based on the old-school criteria, he should be mentioned. This kid is an exciting player, he can do it all…wasn’t no high draft pick, wasn’t really talked about in high school, but the kid can flat out play.”
Morant was the no. 2 pick in the draft, but Shaq was spot-on with everything else. Despite impressive individual numbers and an amazing team win percentage, Ja has been heavily slept on in the MVP discussion.
Ja Morant Is 'Fine' In The West
Morant and the Grizzlies have yet to prove themselves in the playoffs, but it hasn't stopped them from talking big. Last month, Morant even went viral for having the courage to dismiss all of his Western Conference foes in one sentence.
Malika Andrews: "Who do you look at around the league as you're studying and say, 'We're gonna have to run through them?'"
Ja Morant: "Celtics"
Andrews: "No one in the West."
Morant: "Nah. I'm fine in the West."
Needless to say, Ja isn't short on confidence, and it's probably because he knows how good his team is. Last season, they came within a few wins of making the Western Conference Finals.
This season, they are on track to go even further as the West's top seed.
Overall, there's a pretty impressive MVP campaign for Morant and it's surprising that he isn't getting talked about more. Some of the games he missed early on haven't helped him out, but he is more than making up for the lost time.
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