It’s been barely three weeks since the NBA season began, yet Adam Silver has to face one of the most disastrous conundrums. The viewership is on a steady decline to begin the season. The problem started on opening night. ESPN’s doubleheader saw a 42% decline in audience! Shaq feels the monotony of the product has something to do with it. Alluding to Steph Curry and the GSW‘s transcending playstyle, the Big Diesel believes “it’s down because we’re looking at the same thing. Everybody is running the same plays.”

The Bay Area laid out the framework of shooting, becoming a catastrophic weapon for NBA teams. Since then, the number of triples continues to spike. Several other legends resonate with Shaquille O Neal‘s opinion. Recently, Paul Pierce criticized the style of play as well. “Man, I will watch for three minutes and I will see 20 three-pointers get put up,” he said, raising concerns.

As is true with any offering, having something exclusive always makes it appealing. Pierce doesn’t mind the threes. However, the Celtics icon wants to see craftsmanship, with players breaking out “moves” to decimate defenses. One man he sees doing that regularly and someone who Pierce admits is the only other player he watches is the Grizzlies‘ Ja Morant.

“They nobody got no moves no more, don’t nobody know how to create? What’s going on!? I only watch Ja Morant now (laughs), and the Celtics… He plays the purest form of basketball to me. Because he going to the rack, he just a pure hooper bro. Like he ain’t out there launching threes every time, he creative, he exciting to watch and I’m like ‘Damn, this is pure basketball I’m watching’,” the Hall of Famer said on The Ticket and The Truth.

Not much has to be said about the blockbuster element that comes with Ja Morant’s game. He doesn’t settle for three-pointers. Currently, the 32nd top scorer in the league, Morant’s 3.9 three-point attempts are amongst the lowest for guards. In comparison, Kyle Lowry, a bench star for Philly, averages 4.3 threes point attempts per game.

To Ja Morant, his symphony is to play around with his notorious dribble. With the acumen to make reads, the Grizzlies’ sizzling point guard has an array of moves to finish the rim. That is discounting his atomic burst off the floor, endangering defenders being on a poster as soon as he takes the lightning first step.

But is he the most exciting young talent?

Paul Pierce is in awe of Ja Morant; where’s Anthony Edwards on his list?

Spending the last year on the sidelines because of injury, Morant’s return to the NBA meant the onset of jaw-dropping plays once again. Even LeBron James tipped his hat to the blossoming Memphis guard. “The energy alone and inspiration that he gives to the younger generation alone is huge for our league, and it’s great to just have him back out there for sure,” he said after their magnetic duel.

But in the same conference is another blasting talent by the name of Anthony Edwards. While Ja Morant didn’t get the chance to make a statement, Ant-Man sprung into one of the most promising talents in the NBA. Coming off a career year, he has successfully elevated his game this year. However, despite his admiration for the Wolves’ cornerstone, Pierce finds Morant to have a greater imagination.

“I like Ant-Man, but, you know, he’s settling for a lot of threes now. I think he is taking like 13 threes a game right now… Ja could do the same dunks as Anthony Edwards. He can get the same elevation the way he brings it back. He getting all that. But the only difference is Ja, with his playmaking and creativity, is a little better than the Ant-Man. The way he twerks his body around the rim, body control too, the 360’s in the lane. I mean, it’s ridiculous,” The Truth revealed.

“Ja looking like Vince Carter god-damn it in the AI body D god-damn floating and s–t and let me hold on putting the backward English the front English!” Kevin Garnett chipped in with his take too.

“That kid is special,” Paul Pierce concluded.

Ja Morant has yet to fully find his scoring rhythm. But his variations keep fans on their toes. Both he and Edwards have a ravishing game on the interior, capable of getting through traffic with minimal difficulty. But as a true point guard, Morant views the game from a different lens. He looks to distribute, averaging 9.1 assists per game so far. The former MIP is able to access each of his teammates, turning everyone on the floor into a threat.

On the other hand, Anthony Edwards inspires through performances. He will lead the charge and encourage teammates to match his high octane. It’s a way that has found success and fits the playstyle in Minnesota that relies on grit and perseverance.

Who do you think is a more exciting player to watch? Let us know your views in the comments below.