?It Factor?: Shaquille O?Neal Compares Ja Morant to Kobe Bryant as Grizzlies Beat Timberwolves in Game 3 Following Insane Comeback

Memphis Grizzlies will go home relieved and happy. They will be relieved because they won against the Minnesota Timberwolves despite being 16 points down till the end of the third quarter. Ultimately, Memphis rallied through and won game three 104-95 against Minnesota. The protagonist of this win: point guard Ja Morant. Morant, who is now the favorite to win the Most Improved Player of the Year, has guided this promising Memphis team to the “promised” land. He, along with Bane, Jackson, and Brooks, has cultivated a team strong in both offensive and defensive phases. Consequently, many have praised Morant for his creativity and offensive contributions.

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Former player and now analyst Shaquille O’Neal has also joined in the chorus. On Inside the NBA, he compared Mordant to Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.

Shaq about Morant

He mentioned Penny Hardway, who he play with in Orlando. Shaq described him as “cold.” He continues, ” Kobe Bryant had that attitude like listen, I’m the best player on court. I don’t care who he is here.” O’Neal, then, about the time he went to Miami and played with Dwyane Wade. He said, ” He had the it factor. He knows he is the best guy on court and knows that he is a great player already.”

On Ja Morant, he says, “ I said he is a great player already. You know I made a statement couple of months ago that he reminds me of Kobe. He does cause Kobe had that it factor when I met him at 17 years old. He knew I was the man and knew that he was going to the greatest player ever and that’s what I think about this guy right here“.

Ja Morant and the Grizzlies

To be compared to Kobe is high praise for Morant indeed. Kobe was one of the greatest ever point guards to play the sport. Ja has led the Grizzlies to another playoff spot. Not only that, they are favorites now to go through to the semis. Morant, in just his third year, has led them admirably.

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He has 27.7 points per game this season which his highest season tally, along with 7 assists per game. Even in the playoffs, he has showed up with similar stats. In this game, he did a triple double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He also had +20 stat while he was playing, which was the highest in the match.

Ja Morant’s progress has been interesting to see. Will he be able to take the Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals? Will he be the next Kobe? These questions are still unanswered.