Ja Morant has gradually become one of the most exciting talents in the NBA on current day. His athleticism and the way he has grown into a leader for the Memphis Grizzlies shows the promise that he has not only as a player but also as a leader or face of the franchise. But the former Rookie of the Year is still in shock when he reminisces about a certain moment in the NBA.
Morant played against LeBron James during his rookie season and he simply could not believe that he was sharing the court with one of the faces of the league. LeBron James was in his second year with the Los Angeles Lakers at that time. Morant has grown a lot in the last three years but he still feels that moment as a sense of accomplishment in his short NBA career.
He recently shared his emotions from the game and also revealed how LeBron and Anthony Davis were kind enough to give him their jerseys. “Bron … I actually got Bron and AD’s jersey after the same game. That was pretty much a big-time moment for me. Obviously, my rookie year, playing against the top guys was pretty much like a starstruck moment like, ‘Wow,” Morant stated in the ‘The Pivot’ podcast.
The youngster shared how he felt like he was watching them on TV a couple of years ago and now he is competing against them in the NBA. It felt surreal for a minute for the Grizzlies rookie who has just grown from strength to strength in these three years.
“I was just watching him on TV a couple of years ago, even last year when I was at Murray watching him play. And now I’m actually lacing it up and going back and forth with him,’ he added.
The match between the Lakers and the Grizzlies that Morant mentioned was only his fourth game into the rookie season as the Grizzlies were in full rebuilding mode.
The Lakers won the game in a comprehensive manner as they won 121-90. The day belonged to Anthony Davis who scored a mammoth 40 points along with 20 rebounds to help the Purple and Gold army. LeBron helped the cause with a 23-point performance along with eight assists to close the night out. Morant struggled in the first half but gradually came to his own in the second period but it was not enough to guide his team to victory.
However at present both teams and the respective players Ja Morant and LeBron James will be looking to take their game to the next level in the upcoming season. Morant’s Grizzlies were sensational last season whereas the Lakers failed to qualify for the postseason. So they will have different goals but a team with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and a good supporting cast that has Russell Westbrook cannot be taken lightly going into a fresh season. Only time will tell how things turn out for the two franchises in the new season.
