The Memphis Grizzlies have thoroughly embraced the Ja Morant experience since trading his backcourt partner, Desmond Bane, last month, and they proceed as Ja Morant does.
Morant has been a successful player for the Grizzlies since his draft, as exemplified by their 178-129 record with him in the lineup. Therefore, the investment is prudent.
Regrettably, Morant was unable to regain his All-NBA form until the late 2024-25 season, primarily due to a coaching change, following an injury-shortened 2023-24 season.
Taylor Jenkins, the former coach of the Grizzlies, instituted an offensive system that was not customized to Morant’s strengths.
Consequently, Morant’s field goal percentage reached near-career lows and his scoring output was his lowest since the 2020-21 season.
Nevertheless, the offensive system of the Grizzlies’ new coach, Tuomas Iisalo, is more conducive to Morant’s game, as evidenced by his tenure as the coach of the summer league team.
While the Grizzlies navigate the transition to a new coach and a transformed core, supporters should be enthusiastic about the potential for a rejuvenated Ja Morant.
Ja Morant showed glimpses of his All-NBA self after Iisalo was promoted
Taylor Jenkins’ firing happened with nine games remaining as Morant missed the final six games he coached the team with a hamstring injury.
After not looking like the All-NBA version of himself for much of the season due to a mix of the new system and various injuries, Ja Morant averaged 28.4 points on 48% shooting in his last seven games to end the regular season.
This is the Ja Morant that the team anticipates seeing more of as Tuomas Iisalo continues to implement his pick-and-roll-heavy offense, which is contingent upon exceptional point guard play. The team’s reliance on the backcourt’s ability to generate offense was demonstrated by the inclusion of Ty Jerome in the primary ball handler rotation of Ja Morant and Scotty Pippen Jr. Regrettably, Morant’s progress through the conclusion of the season was impeded by an ankle injury sustained during the team’s initial play-in against the Golden State Warriors and a hip injury sustained in Game 3 of their first-round series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nevertheless, the insights he provided in Iisalo’s makeshift system established the foundation for his fully implemented system in the upcoming season.
Ja Morant is the key to the Grizzlies’ success as they transition to a star duo model of him and Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of the big three with Desmond Bane.
Getting an All-NBA level performance from Morant throughout the season will be the difference between the team making the playoffs outright or fighting for a spot in the play-in.
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