Ja Morant is already off to an amazing preseason. Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Atlanta Hawks in their final preseason tune-up game on 92.9 FM ESPN Saturday at 7:00 p.m. live from FedExForum.
On Friday (12/18) former Phoenix Suns GM Ryan McDonough, RADIO.COM NBA Insider for 92.9 FM ESPN, joined the Jason & John Show to discuss a number of Grizzlies and NBA related topics including Morant's possible All-Star "list" run. Reportedly there won't be an official NBA All-Star game in 2021, but there will be a "list" of All-Star players.
McDonough acknowledged that in a league with the likes of Luca Doncic in Dallas and other guards it might be hard in the NBA Western Conference for players to be All-Stars at the guard position, but he thinks Ja looks like an All-Star. On Morant's first 3 preseason games of 2020-21, "I don't want to over-react to preseason. I think he'll have a huge year."
The Memphis Grizzlies are 3-0 in the preseason and Morant has scored 20, 21, and 18 points respectively in limited minutes while basically getting whatever he wants on the offensive side of the ball.
"I think he has a shot to make the All-Star team (list) this year. A lot of that will be predicated on Grizzlies team performance. It's an exciting time to be a Grizzlies fan," McDonough added.
The biggest questions for the Grizzlies surrounds Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow, due to injury.
McDonough said Friday, "As the franchise, when you have a talented young player, you have to do what's in his best long term interest. Keep in mind the Grizzlies best team should be three..four...five years from now, not now, with the age of Morant and others."
Jackson and Winslow are scheduled to return "early" this season, according to Memphis Grizzlies Basketball Head (GM) Zach Kleiman
The Grizzlies regular season schedule starts Wednesday (12/23) against the San Antonio Spurs at 7:00 p.m. on 92.9 FM ESPN. Pregame at 6:30 p.m., tip at 7:00 p.m. on 92.9 FM ESPN.
