All-Star guard Ja Morant is back and so perhaps are the Grizzlies. They did win the opener, on the road, over the Jazz, with Morant scoring 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting and passing for 10 assists.
Basically, it was the type of game that showed you how far Memphis could go as long as Morant stays on the floor.
“My job as a point guard is to control the game,” Morant said, via the Associated Press. “I hate if I let the other team’s point guard control the game. Whatever I can do to make sure it’s in our favor, I try to do.”
Morant missed most of last season after an NBA suspension and shoulder injury. The Grizzlies looked like a shell of themselves because of it. Now, though, they may be closer to the team that finished second in the Western Conference two years ago. Who knows? The West has gotten a lot better since then.
Either way, the Grizzlies look like a different and better team with Morant out there. He brings more than just remarkable skills. He brings energy and leadership.
“I was just excited to be back out there,” Morant said. “These guys trust and believe in me every time I’m out there on the floor, so it’s only right I go out there and play free.”
- Rookie center Zach Edey got the start, scoring five points and grabbing five rebounds, before fouling out in 15 minutes. It’s a process.
- Santi Aldama came up huge in the 126-124 thriller, scoring 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting. That included 5-of-10 on threes.
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