Paul Pierce Still Has Hopes For Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant
Paul Pierce says Ja Morant has the "most to prove" this season
Last season was a controversial one for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. After several incidents of flashing a gun via Instagram stories, it was announced he will be suspended for the first 25 games next season.
But not everybody gave up on him.
On Aug. 22, a video went viral of Kevin Garnett’s KG Certified podcast. In the video, former NBA player Paul Pierce said Morant still has a chance to re-establish himself as one of the best players in the league.
“This is a player who’s been through so much last year but he’s gotta really really change this narrative on himself and really show people who he really is. That’s Ja Morant,” Pierce said. “He’s one of the top 10, top 15 players in the world and he’s not on the USA Team and probably rightfully so. I’m looking for him to re-establish who he is on and off the court because I think he has the most to show and the most to prove.”
Before Morant got caught up in trouble, he was setting himself up as one of the league’s best players. Some even believed he could be the face of the NBA. Known for his highlight dunks and the ability to posterize opponents bigger than him, he has automatically become a fan favorite.
It’s safe to say that if it wasn’t the gun incidents, he would have earned himself a spot on this year’s Team USA basketball team. Despite just playing 61 games last season, he averaged 26 points and a career-high eight assists.
Let’s hope Morant finally learned his lesson because his talent is much-needed in today’s NBA.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Sports Illustrated’s channel “Inside The Heat” and Fansided’s “Wiz of Awes”. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson and Instagram @ckenzynelson