Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has been one of the breakout rookies thus far over the first month of the season and has often drawn praise from those around the NBA.
The second overall pick is leading all first-year players in scoring and assists this season, with 18.5 points and six dimes per game, respectively. Morant has shown flashes of his potential and is already proving to be a player the Grizzlies can trust late in crunch-time situations.
Morant struggled some on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors, but still managed a team-high 20 points and six assists on 7-of-20 shooting from the field in the 114-95 loss. Prior to the game, though, Morant earned quite a comparison from Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
He’s lightning fast. He’s very slight in terms of his build but he’s explosive and tough. He has a little Iverson in him, maybe, between that kind of explosion and that kind of ability to get to the rim. I realize that is high praise comparing a kid in his first year in his 12th game or whatever it is to Allen Iverson but I think that’s the physical reminder of the speed and the ability to get whatever he wants.
A little Iverson in him, maybe? Steve Kerr on what he’s seen from Ja Morant: pic.twitter.com/yet3CzB0mT
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) November 19, 2019
While Kerr was quick to acknowledge the level of the comparison made, the similarities between Morant and Iverson are evident.
The two each were smaller players with elite quickness and toughness to them. Of course, Morant has a long way to go to match the 14 years A.I. spent in the league but he has certainly impressed in a small sample.
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