Leader of the Pack

DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokić are all names that should be in the MVP conversation when it comes down to it at the end of the season. The real question is, what even is the MVP award? The NBA’s annual award continues to becomes more blurry as each year passes. Despite all that, there is one player that has slowly become the MVP of the league, the “Human Highlight”, and point guard for the Grizzlies, Ja Temetrius Jamel Morant.

C/O: Sportskeeda

Whenever someone brings up the MVP this season, Morant has never been in that talk, even though he is putting up career numbers, and unreal highlight reels almost every night. The NBA world needs to put more respect on Morant, who should at the minimum be in the MVP conversation, and if he keeps playing like this, the man very well could win the award.

The former Murray State guard has broken his career-high in back-to-back games, including netting 52 points in a win over the Spurs on Monday night. Morant had 29 at halftime, including a jaw-dropping poster dunk, and a buzzer-beater from a full-court pass from Steven Adams that only God knows how he made.

There is something different about this individual when it comes to the game of basketball. Being the number two pick after Zion Williamson has without a doubt put a chip on his shoulder to prove the public wrong. A lot of critics said that a player could not be elite in the pro game that came from the Ohio Valley Conference. The way he plays reminds people of a combination of a prime Russell Westbrook, and Dominque Wilkins at the same time. The reckless abandon that Morant plays with is a breath of fresh air. Memphis has not had a player that can take over games like this in its franchises’ history. He wasn’t always known as the greatest of shooters coming out of college, but Morant has improved his shot tremendously since being drafted.

One of the most essential parts of his game is his creativity around the basket. Morant always finds ways to score even when everyone on the floor thinks he should give it up to a teammate. The fans’ eyes gravitate towards the man who people have no idea what he is going to do next.

C/O: FanSided

Only five players in the NBA this season have scored 51 or more points in a single game. The list includes the likes of Trae Young, Luka Dončić, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum. Not only are the Grizzlies a quality team, but they also rely on Morant for the majority of their offense. He penetrates and kicks to outside shooters, or drives, and contorts his body to finish some shot that looks like it has no chance of falling through the net.

Morant has had two games where he was netted more than 45 points, and he is only getting better as the season goes on. Embiid only has one of those contests and DeRozan has not surpassed 45 points this season and has a roster around him to allow the Bulls to sit as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference.

Morant is box office and everything a franchise would ask for in a player to sell tickets even if they are playing a sub-par opponent. He does something new every time he steps on the hardwood, and that is why he should be in the front of the MVP race. His pitbull mentality is one of a kind. Morant doesn’t hunt for foul calls like Embiid does, he goes up strong and puts people on the wall of a 12-year old childs’ bedroom.

The odds of him winning the award are slim to none, just based on the amount of media coverage a player like Embiid gets. The big man isn’t a fun player to watch. Backing down opponents with his weight and then throwing his arms up just hoping for two shots at the line is pathetic in the slightest. Morant is the fans’ MVP, as more people are interested in highlight reels than free-throw contests.

C/O: Sportsnet

It isn’t always the statistics when it comes to Morant and the MVP conversation, it is the way he plays on a day in and day out basis. Critics will say his style of play will not last very long and may remind people of Lamar Jackson in the NFL. The narrative of the MVP needs to change. At the baseline of what the award is, it is the “Most Valuable Player”. Without that certain player, that team would struggle to secure consistent wins. Morant is more valuable to the Grizzlies than any other star is to their respective team around the league. Who really wants to see paint dry at the free-throw line when the world has the privilege to see Delta Flight #BA1476 take off for the Cayman Islands.