3 young players to watch during the 2022 NBA Playoffs

Young players to watch in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: Ja Morant, 22 y/o

"“We climb up the chimney,” Ja Morant said following a game featuring a New York Knicks skirmish. “We ain’t ducking no smoke.”"

One could say that has always been the mentality of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the temperament of these new grit and grind Grizzlies is truly the embodiment of none other than Ja Morant.

It is rare to say a second overall pick was overshadowed during the draft process, but Zion Williamson’s stature captured the media’s eyes. Yet, from the moment Morant stepped onto the court, that all changed.

His game spoke, and so did his mouth.

His rim runs were angry, often ending with some of the best dunks ever seen – made and missed – by a little guard. His blocks were disrespectful and his reckless finishes were on par with the likes of Allen Iverson and Russell Westbrook.

Imagine a third-year guard putting all of those skills together, topped off with 1.2 steals a game. What would that amount to? A player so good that he would be mentioned in talks for both the Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player awards.

At the moment, one of those is more of a pipedream than reality. Still, if he is able to improve on his 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, Morant will be able to propel the number two seeded Grizzlies into the threat Kendrick Perkins has been preaching about for the majority of the year.

The postseason is where superstars solidify their names. But will Morant be able to climb the chimneys of the Western Conference teams trying to flick the chip off his shoulder? Only time will tell.