
Ja Morant entered another stratosphere last season. Now, he looks like a regular MVP candidate ā the only truly bankable superstar from the 2019 draft who hasnāt missed 100+ games in three years and change. Morant is more reliable than Williamson, and to be completely frank, heās just playing better basketball right now.
There are valid concerns tied to Morantās slender frame and defensive shortcomings. And, unlike Williamson, Morant doesnāt really have the physical tools to develop into a better defender. Heās too small. But the offense is undeniable. The list of better team leaders right now is slim. Morant is the head of the snake in Memphis, with the Grizzlies playing uniquely unselfish team basketball under his guidance.
There are some striking similarities between Morant and Williamson offensively. Weāre talking about arguably the two most prolific slashers in the game. Morant canāt be kept out of the paint either: heās too damn explosive off the bounce, weaponizing his elite first step and long strides to torch even the leagueās best perimeter defenders. Morantās 3-point shot is improving too, which means defenses canāt comfortably sag off. Go under screens, and Morant is more capable than ever of making the defense pay.
As the weaknesses are stripped away over time, Morantās deadly blend of speed, explosiveness, and feel will only become more difficult to stop. Heās a constant source of dribble penetration, forcing the defense to collapse before picking them apart with his expert passing vision. When Morantās not scoring at the rim, heās likely spoon-feeding open teammates or setting the Grizzliesā dynamic offense in motion. He has earned the No. 1 spot by sheer force of will.