Memphis Grizzlies: 4 goals for Ja Morant in 2020-21

Goal 2: Putting on muscle

As mentioned Morant is skinny, really skinny. But that doesn’t seem to affect him that much… he was practicing high jump on Kevin Love during the year.

https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/1208184051506597888?s=20

Where it does “limit” Morant is his defense (as explained above) and his finishing around the rim. But, that doesn’t mean he can’t score at the hoop,NBA.com’s John Schuhmann wrote after the season how much Morant improved the Grizzlies offense. This included how effective Morant is around the rim.

This particular stat stands out

"“Number to know: Morant’s 7.4 points per game in the restricted area are the second most among rookie guards in the last 10 years, trailing only Ben Simmons’ 9.3 per game from two seasons ago.”"

I spoke about Morant’s lack of muscle more broadly in a past article about the Grizzlies offseason. There is the promise of Morant being able to bulk up, with Morant already showing to be able to put on pounds in a short period. “During the NBA’s hiatus, it was reported that Morant put on 12 lbs of muscle.” 

On average Morant is an excellent finisher but in some cases in the film where it’s evident a bit more muscle would really help him. Either in situations where he’s being pushed around in the air or when he’s unable to move a player contesting vertically.

Players like Damian Lillard or Stephen Curry have never been bodybuilders but have made their bodies more defined and stronger from their rookie years.

Ben Taylor of Thinking Basketball did a great rookie profile on Morant, which broke down his issues finishing around the ring. The video also went into Morant’s issues with controlling the ball. So, it’s dive into every coach’s favorite thing, turnovers.