The Ja Morant Fan Club is growing by the day. Kendrick Perkins was the latest to fall under Morant’s hypnosis, declaring him the new “face” of the NBA.
“We are actually looking at, probably in my eyes, the face of the NBA,” opined Perk while appearing as a panelist on NBA Countdown. “Look at Magic Johnson. He was somewhat like the circus. Then all of a sudden, Michael Jordan comes along and he’s like Disneyland and Disney World. Now Ja Morant is like Beyonce pulling up to Coachella.”
Perkins’ ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith was quick to dismiss that take as “blasphemy,” though the former Celtic may have a point. If Morant didn’t make the “leap” last season, he certainly has in 2022, taking his game to another level in year three of his NBA journey. The Grizzlies guard has been spectacular of late, erupting for 98 total points in his last two games including a 50-burger Monday night.
There’s an argument to be made the 22-year-old is already the most exciting player in basketball, wowing with circus dunks, acrobatic finishes at the rim and long-range jumpers few would have the stones to even attempt. Though not known for his defensive prowess, Morant’s block against the Lakers earlier this year, taking Avery Bradley’s lunch money like a playground bully, is one of the most ridiculous displays of athleticism you’ll ever see on an NBA hardwood.
Morant may not be at “Beyonce” level yet, but he’s getting there, and quicker than any of us could have imagined. With that said, Morant won’t be the face of the league—or even in that conversation—until LeBron James and Steph Curry inevitably retire.
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