Inside Grizzlies star Ja Morant's 'personal' drive to be a better NBA defender
Ja Morant’s basketball ego was being tested.
The two-time Memphis Grizzlies all-star was putting up solid offensive numbers against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, but it was the other side of the floor that motivated him all season.
Down the stretch of each close game, the Lakers “hunted” the Grizzlies star, meaning whoever Morant was guarding was told to come set a screen for LeBron James, so the 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward could attack the slimmer point guard.
The strategy worked well for the Lakers as they thrived down the stretch against the Grizzlies, but Morant hasn’t forgotten.
“I take (expletive) like that personal, honestly,” Morant said. “To be called up in a ball screen with my athleticism and how fast I am with my size, I think I can be a good defender in this league, so I put that pressure on myself to be consistent at that.”
The ramifications of the Lakers attacking Morant was one of the biggest factors in the series. Memphis switched two through five on pick-and-rolls.
Fans clamored for Luke Kennard’s shooting, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins didn’t want to give the Lakers multiple Grizzlies defenders to hunt. Therefore, he played ace defender Dillon Brooks over Kennard.
Now, according to Morant’s Grizzlies teammates and coaches, he’s taking on the onus to improve as a two-way player.
Morant was one of the most vocal teammates in practices during his 25-game suspension. His intensity stood out.
In his first game back, Morant had a block and two critical steals down the stretch to lead Memphis to a 115-113 win.
“He’s come in with an urgency with his on-ball pressure,” Jenkins said. “When he’s locked in, keeping guys in front of him and using his hands. Making winning plays off the ball that may not show up in the box score.”
That urgency might have led to Morant being in situations that would make the Grizzlies' hearts skip a beat. In that second matchup against the Pelicans, Morant stepped in front of 6-11 265-pound Jonas Valanciunas in an attempt to take a change.
The play was called a blocking foul, but it was an encouraging sight from Morant's teammates.
"It just shows how relentless we are on that end by sacrificing our body," Marcus Smart said. "It shows the toughness, it shows the resilience and it shows that we're not backing down. We don't care how big or small you are."
Memphis is playing catch-up in the Western Conference standings. If Morant takes the next step as a defender this season, Memphis’ lineups could possibly have more flexibility than last season.
“I think he’s been taking that to heart,” Jenkins said. “He knows that’s an area we continue to challenge him to get better in. When he can be a tone-setter for us and embrace that responsibility, he becomes that complete player and then the team responds.”
JA MORANT RESPONDS: Ja Morant responds to critics of viral 'Rock Ya Hips' dance: 'I've seen where that gets me'
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Inside Ja Morant's drive to be a better NBA defender
