Ja Morant is on the path to becoming a star in the NBA. Despite being set back by a knee injury, the Memphis Grizzlies' 22-year-old point guard has stepped up his game big time this season, averaging 24.1 points, 6.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from deep.
Morant's impressive ascension into the league's elite point guards has earned him praise from one of those elite floor generals: Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers' star said that Morant reminds him the most of himself out of all the NBA's youngsters.
.@Dame_Lillard 🤝 @JaMorant
(via Reddit) pic.twitter.com/hxT2dEwbci
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 4, 2021
The comparison makes sense. Lillard and Morant have shown the tendency to develop killer mentalities in close games and have the ability to completely lead an offense. Earlier this year, Lillard said that the Grizzlies' phenom is his favorite young star to watch.
Morant showed his appreciation for Lillard's comments.
RESPECT 💯🤝 @Dame_Lillard
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 4, 2021
Although Lillard and Morant's games aren't very similar — Lillard relies heavily on his off-the-dribble and deep-range shooting while Morant is an explosive, above-the-rim slasher — they both have the skills to lead the Blazers and Grizzlies, respectively. They both came from smaller schools, as Morant is a product of Murray State while Lillard went to Weber State.
Morant's Grizzlies have done well without him, setting an NBA record for the most lopsided victory and winning three straight games. He was fortunate enough to avoid a serious injury so he should be back to slamming dunks and throwing gorgeous dimes soon enough.
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