NBA Draft 2019: Ja Morant is the best kind of Point Guard available
The NCAA March Madness Tournament run has come to a close for Ja Morant, a point guard widely regarded a top three prospect in the upcoming NBA Draft, but is he a top-level talent?
In the Ohio Valley Conference, Ja Morant abused lesser talent for two seasons, then showed magnificent offense when facing upper-level talent. Assuming he foregoes his college eliegbility, Morant will enter the 2019 NBA Draft.
But two games and a host of ferocious dunks do not ensure a franchise prize. Nor do they conceal apparent defensive indifference on the part of Morant. But what lies between Morant’s ears will truly make all the difference.
Player Comparisons
Ceiling: Kyrie Irving/Russell Westbrook
Floor: Lou Williams
Morant attacks the rim like it took his lunch money. No matter what you think of him, he continually proves he is the best athlete on the floor. Whether it is the Jacksonville State Gamecocks or the Marquette Golden Eagles, he can own the offensive end of the floor.
Like both players, he can gracefully dance between defenders and effortlessly lay the ball up while contested. He is a confident shooter, possessing the stroke of Irving from beyond the arc. Morant accomplishes as much below the rim as above it, combining the promising beginnings of some of Westbrook’s and Irving’s better talents.
He also possesses some of the problematic defensive tendencies that they both have endured. No, he is not an All-Star (yet), and maybe it is brash to compare him to such lofty talent. But the vision with which Morant sees the court makes up for plenty of flaws.
Breaking Down Morant
He really should not be able to see the shooter at the top of the key, but Morant knows precisely where his teammates should be in relation to his position, along with how a defense will move to his.
This move does not open up one shooter; it opens up three. He is doubled from the start, uses the baseline to rid himself of one defender and shakes off the second, pulling a third defender. With three defenders out of position, the shooter (Shaq Buchanan) can take the shot or make an extra pass. Plenty of players could have scored on this play, and it all started with Morant knowing precisely what his actions would bring.
Again, insane vision prevails as Morant draws multiple defenders to find a corner three.
Here, Morant turns a broken play into an amazing one. With a flick of his wrist, he sends the ball rocketing almost half a courts length to get this score. Keeping his cool and getting the ball down the court.
It was one of many times Morant takes advantage of defense stretched and disorganized in transition.
And then, there are these plays, that combine vision and raw talent to another level.
The flip side of Morant is his offense. He is not only an impressive athletic prospect, boasting elite speed, a remarkable affinity to defy gravity and exciting ability change of direction. He combines that raw ability with handles and confident shooting.
Morant knows precisely where he needs to be not only to take good shots or efficient shots but his shots. Just like his passing, his IQ helps him find the spots on the floor he owns, and when he gets there, he is unconscious.
Aside from stepback 3’s, Morant can go strong to the rim. Not just soul-quaking slams, but drives. Morant can face bounce off bodies and get to the line after laying up high effort runs on the glass.
And there is this…
Morant is a defensive liability, takes some plays off, gets beat and is best served guarding the man in the corner. But on offense, he is a force few can reckon with, and the best talent not named Zion Williamson.
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He is a guard who can control a game, take over its pace, and make everyone around him better. Before entering the NBA, Morant has a deep offensive tool kit than most players when they leave.
Not only is he the best guard in college, but he is also the most fun kind to watch, just like Irving and Westbrook.