‘Not Quite LeBron James or Chris Paul… Every Time Down the Floor Is Like a Chess Match’: Draymond Green on What Excites Him Most About Ja Morant

Ja Morant has been an unbelievable leader for the Memphis Grizzlies this season. With their latest victory against the Wizards, the Grizzlies now sit 3rd in the NBA’s Western Conference with a 34-17 record.

Supported by his co-stars like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant has slowly grown over the years as a leader to lead his team into battle. And every time a team matches up against the Grizzlies, they know that they’re going to be in for a long battle.

In a recent interview with former NBA star JJ Redick, Warriors’ forward Draymond Green spoke about the smartest players he’s played against where he mentioned the names LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Rajon Rondo. Additionally, he gave Ja Morant an honorable mention on that list as an upcoming player.

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The Chess Match with Ja Morant’s Grizzlies

When asked about who the smartest players he played against are, Draymond Green mentioned a trio of players – LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Rajon Rondo. But he would go on to mention Ja Morant as well – a player who was slowly rising into the category of the aforementioned trio.

Draymond mentioned some positive things about Morant that everyone was used to seeing already – Morant’s athleticism, passing and jumping. But there was something else that made Draymond include Morant in the list of smart players.

“But the thing that excites me the most about Ja Morant is when we’re playing against the Memphis Grizzlies, and not quite to the level of LeBron James, or Chris Paul, or Rajon Rondo, but when we’re playing against those guys, I can feel the chess match,” said Draymond.

“Like every possession down, they’re looking at me, scoping me out to see where I’m at. I’m looking at their guys and what they’re doing to see what they’re trying to get into, and every time down the floor is like a chess match,” added Green.

Added to this, Draymond mentioned that Ja, in his 3rd year, could be at the same level as LeBron, CP3, and Rondo when they were in their respective 3rd years in the league. Furthermore, he also added that Morant, although not smart enough on the defensive end at present, still has a very high ceiling and can grow into an exciting player defensively as well.

In Conclusion

Ja Morant, as rightly mentioned by Draymond, is one of the best players in the league today. With him, the Grizzlies really are a force to be reckoned with. Added to this, the man has been named an All-Star Starter in the upcoming All-Star Game. With several impeccable performances over the years, the sky is the limit on what Ja Morant will become – an NBA Superstar.

READ MORE: Emotional Ja Morant Wins Hearts, Dedicates 41 Point Night to Grandmother Battling Cancer: “Knowing She’s Watching, Knowing I Couldn’t Be There With Her Right Now”