Ja Morant's mentality shift could save his Grizzlies and NBA career

Between suspensions and injuries, Ja Morant's career has been stuck in neutral for the past 18 months. The two-time All-Star is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in the league. However, that excitement comes at a cost, as Morant consistently puts his body on the line.

This season, Morant has been far more cautious with how he attacks the rim. Rather than absorbing contact and driving home thunderous dunks, he's begun to settle for lay-ups which put far less stress on the body. 

During a recent interview with ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Morant admitted that he's made a conscious effort to limit his dunk attempts.

"I'm not trying to dunk at all," Morant said. "Y'all think I'm lying. I'm dead serious ... Sometimes I get knocked out the air and [a foul] don't get called, and now I'm out longer than what I'm supposed to be. Sometimes the foul might get called; I still hit the floor, but after the game you might feel that little fall. So I just pick and choose, man. Hey, two points is two points. I get it done. That's all that matters."

There's no questioning Morant's skill. You don't become a two-time All-Star by luck. He is more than just an explosive dunker. However, his game is built around his athleticism. His elite first step, the burst he can use to create separation, his leaping ability, second jump, and how he changes direction — these are all athletic traits.

The problem is, when a players entire game is built around their physical attributes, their careers are often shorter than their more technical counterparts. As you age, your athleticism wanes, so, unless you adjust your style of play, the fall off can be dramatic. 

Morant is 25 years old, so he doesn't have to worry about his body slowing down for another five to seven years. He does, however, have to worry about the amount of injuries his body is suffering. It only takes one bad fall to eat away at his athleticism, and suddenly, he goes from great to good, and that's if he's fortunate. 

So, Morant is adjusting his approach. He's limiting his exposure to heavy hits and hard landings. By doing that, he could potentially be extending his career by multiple years. At the very least, the additional time he has one the court could allow him to build on his current play style to adjust for when his body eventually slows down.

Yes, Morant is one of the most exciting dunkers in the league. And yes, the way he plays is why he's such a star. But, being a star who stays healthy and makes an impact is far more important than any highlight reel. 

After years of the media questioning when Morant will show signs of maturity, we may finally have our answer.