“Who Didn’t Pick Me First”: Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Reacts to Winning NBA Rookie of the Year

Memphis Grizzlies sensation Ja Morant has won the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year Award. After an amazing campaign where he almost took a lottery team to the Playoffs, Morant won over all the voters. Almost all. Out of the 100 voters, 99 voted for Morant to win and there was a sole, lonely vote for Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson.

Later, during an interview, the Grizzlies young star said he wanted to find out who that one voter was. He said that that one vote against him just motivates him more. “I need to figure out who was that person who didn’t pick me first,” he said. “I want to shoot a message to them. Thank them for motivating me more.” 

During this impressive rookie campaign, Morant averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting 47% from the field. Almost every game he played became a highlight reel, with his electric drives and dunks, flashy passes, and silky handles.

Ja Morant: Future of Memphis

When he joined Murray State, Morant was an unranked high-school recruit. But his impressive displays in college increased his draft stock. Especially in his sophomore season, when he became the first player to average 20 points and 10 assists in a season since the NCAA started tracking assists in the 1980s.

Rookies don’t enter the league as a finished product and Morant has areas he needs to work on as well. His outside shooting has been below par so far, and that is one of the biggest flaws in his game now. During a lot of his explosive dunks, Morant could not time his landings. Many fear he might suffer an injury similar to Derrick Rose.

Despite his ability to get some clutch steals and interceptions, he has been a liability on defense. With his lean physique, he gets pushed around easily. But with time, he is only going to get better.

Morant has a winner mentality and he will be keen to take Grizzlies to greater heights now. After a playoff drought of three years, Morant will be expected to lead his young team to a postseason appearance in the 2020-21 season.

The Grizzlies lost Mike Conley last season but have got a point guard who might become better than him. In the upcoming draft and free agency, the Grizzlies need to build a stronger squad around Morant and give him the best pieces to excel and take his team ahead.