Is Ja Morant a can’t-miss prospect? Stephen A. isn’t sold but Max Kellerman says yes | First Take

Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman debate whether Ja Morant should be considered a can’t-miss prospect in the 2019 NBA draft.
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[@chipsonhughes1369]

Hey guys, Ja Morant ended up being can’t miss

[@desmondmilesful]

@Travis Tchokotieu Its the truth tho so.......

[@flipflop7264]

@@desmondmilesful yep

[@Matthew23758]

If Ja Morant was going to the Knicks, Smith would say he's a star

[@roderickboatman765]

Matthew Mane bro I was thinking the same shit he just mad the Knicks ain't gone get him LMAO hater

[@marcusgxne6904]

Roderick Boatman rj is better

[@tigerhoods7927]

Right

[@coolieinthecut3146]

FACTS!!!

[@robbonner]

Pretty much this

[@yassinekhedid345]

Damn that camera angle is a bad look for Brian Windhorst

[@TheMr2face]

its not the angle though

[@Kotoamatsukami_]

TheMr2face He’s a quite prominent person 🥔

[@saucecards3583]

Itaruu that’s why he successful & a knowledgeable man. Probably get the finest woman too, while you probably scratching your ass and on the sofa. While he making moves you dream of making. 🤫

[@marcusgxne6904]

Kelvin Flores L

[@blackronin848]

Kelvin Flores you’re hurt we know cause you’re fat as hell

[@Yesboiii99]

Lavar Ball: he's aight, but he's not Gelo! Gelo is a hall of fame from day one. That boy is special.

[@Robbiewasabi45]

Harvey McElroy fax

[@cavsbetta]

Harvey McElroy Lonzo isn’t really a bum. He’s starting to grow up

[@Yesboiii99]

@Harvey McElroy Lavar: Big Ball Brand is going to take down Nike. Lonzo will break Stockton's record for assists, Gelo will win more MVPs than Jordan, and Melo.... Melo about to give it a few years and then break Kareem's record for scoring

[@AlmightyTaka]

Harvey McElroy can you guard melo 😴

[@andrewalker8551]

Raised him since he was a boy

[@iontkno6441]

I hate when Stephen A is proven wrong and he resorts to yelling, using big words, and saying things like "numbers in college dont matter" (if they didnt players wouldnt be drafted where rhey are....) SAS is a clown at times

[@nickruss8451]

He is a clown most of the time.

[@nickruss8451]

@Chike Mike sad times indeed if foolishness is a quality of appeal

[@raymoon439]

How is he wrong ?

[@markrobinson7286]

Gotta agree with you here, this was a weak ass take my SAS.

[@Amb252]

Ja Morant is going crazy

[@raghavranga9678]

Just here after Ja singlehandedly led the Grizzlies to the win in the 4th quarter of a road playoff game (Brooks played well but Ja Morant hit shot after shot to seal it)

[@SSJRome]

Brian's chair will never be the same again

[@mussyeg]

🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisrobinson8339]

He's in shaq's chair

[@Lelouch12195]

Chris Robinson you can’t compare that to Shaq. Shaw at least works out time to time.

[@C_mao]

Brian's chair is the real mvp

[@Abcdefg-l1b]

C. mao 😂😂😂😂😂

[@curiouschameleon7960]

damn. Brian might need a sofa for their next take.

[@JoshCorby18]

Dick rides lebron 🥳

[@awkwardn2k466]

😂 big facts

[@professorx1544]

I cant stand overweight people

[@curiouschameleon7960]

@@wj7689 I'm not being disrespectful. I'm trying to be suggestive rather lol

[@professorx1544]

aaron berhane Its really not that hard to say “okay thats enough food for the day”.

[@chasolsen2048]

Steven A: *screaming for 30 seconds” *10 seconds later* Steven A: “Watch your tone Max!”

[@gqtuesday]

Max was right

[@ahmedsalar9016]

Hearing about the draft makes me want to see Luka Donkic play. That guy is special.

[@tythetruebosshd6621]

True shit people sleeping on the Mavs like Luka Magic And Porzingod not gonna put fear in people's hearts.

[@GMODMV]

@Chris Injeian when they trade your whole team ofc its gonna be weird playin

[@joestuehmer7967]

Trae Young will be better... He's putting up a easy 25/10 this year and making the All Star team

[@Nurunigo]

Joe Stuehmer Will he be efficient though or will those be empty stats is the question

[@joestuehmer7967]

Him and Luka shot almost identical this year and Trae is way smaller also Luka purposely sat games out down the stretch cause his fg percentage kept going down the last 3 months of the season.. Trae clearly closed the year out on a much better note averaged 25/9 after All Star break that's gonna be his average for the entire season now that Jeremy Lin isn't there him and Trae were splitting minutes most of the season

[@samunkuta9129]

Brian looking like a Twin sized bed🤣

[@THEAdmiralXizor]

Queen size... give the guy some credit 😁

[@kevinetienne5519]

I'm mad at myself for laughing at this comment. I couldn't help myself 😅

[@jesswilson6012]

Jesus help us😂

[@FreshNewzTV]

😂😂😂😂

[@Nfl360]

100% can't miss. Grizz looking really good with morant and jackson jr

[@zuri5241]

NFL360 That’s what I’m saying. I’m in Memphis and I’m gonna love going to these games now

[@Memphiz10Boi]

@@zuri5241 Me 2 We should be a threat in 2 years top no cap

[@mattnorris7124]

I don't get Stephen A's point about Lonzo shooting badly in the NBA after shooting poorly in College and applying that logic to Morant. Like Lonzo has a janky shot motion, Ja's while it isn't perfect is pretty fundamentally sound. Also, the Grizzlies just traded to get Korver who, assuming he stays will be a great shooting mentor for Morant. The Grizzlies have 2 GREAT starting pieces to a rebuild and even if they're still not great for a couple of years, they'll get some decent picks in, Grayson Allen will have time to develop, JJJ & Ja will have time to develop, bottom end I think they'll at least be a great defensive team in a few years with some good offensive pieces.

[@MarceloV2121]

@@Memphiz10Boi boyyy y’all called it 😂😂

[@DarkSaber22]

"And you're entitled to your disillusions" 😂😂😂

[@MIDNightPT4]

T.M. Samuels delusions *

[@richardwilliams6654]

T.M. Samuels that 💩 was funny!!!

[@ScottieDPOYY]

Stephen A. basically said there are no way to scout a player therefore everyone is drafting blindly. Yall missed the funny part of stephen A. embarassing himself

[@tammy_buoy332]

@@SosaA11 🤣🤣🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@eviltwin8212]

@@ScottieDPOYY its the truth

[@candaceh16]

Just here three years later listening to a “Memphis is bad so don’t expect Rookie of the Year or anything” take. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@christophermatthews7535]

6 months later and this Kid is Can’t Miss. ROTY hands down. This kid is the new AI!

[@alto1986]

Ja morant is gonna be a mega star 💫🔥🔥

[@yaya-ct8pw]

You right tho

[@cello100k3]

FOM FamilyOverMoney u capping

[@cello100k3]

Chris Injeian he ain’t the reason why he with this high was because this draft was ass but ja is a dawg bro

[@Amb252]

@FOM FamilyOverMoney naw

[@Amb252]

@Chris Injeian your an idiot

[@KeyTez]

Nobody: Lavar Ball: Who? Ja Morant?? Man Lonzo would out shoot that Ja character

[@adamv9892]

“That Ja character” that is something Lavar would say 😂😂

[@daviiddd2024]

Max: "Lonzo is gonna be an all-star" SAS: "your delusional"

[@jbrisky]

He will be imo. Already top 10 passer and top 10 perimeter defender in the league at 21 years old.

[@__anonym0us__]

max has low key been making great arguments. While Stephen A. just "knows basketball".

[@LarryBennettHealthCoach]

Can't believe Stephen A let Max wax him on this debate. How could he...

[@PrincipalSkinner3190]

Markelle Fultz was "can't miss"

[@stevet8607]

Exactly

[@ryankraut9496]

And he still only like 21

[@zuri5241]

Principal Skinner Ja’s a whole different kind of player tho

[@arcausx7575]

@@zuri5241 name the differences....

[@roberto9094]

ja morant didnt have shoulder injury play while your still injured makes no sense dude

[@greatone9102]

SAS takes doesn’t age well at all but he clowns max as if he right all the time

[@SAMMIEJONESJUNIOR]

First time Max was 100 percent correct

[@DeathChubz]

Give the rookies like 2-3 years to adjust to the NBA. Remember when y'all called D'Angelo a bust? He's balling in Brooklyn now

[@JayTheRealest1]

*Lmao Lakers fans were the main was calling him a bust, and now look at him.*

[@lsekai2101]

That nigga got VC and went crazy

[@Amb252]

Dlo is killing it ja Morant is Killing he's definitely better than Lonzo Ball

[@paquinraino8180]

Ja didn't even need 2 month to adjust to NBA finally lmaoo

[@owochar6471]

Stephen A makes the worst prediction. It's a year later and Ja Morant is a beast.

[@tlewis4522]

6 months later... Stephen A and Brian were so wrong lol

[@jakobashlin5173]

Morant's skillset is easily transferable to the next level. He is an elite passer, ball handler, and finisher with upside. Even if he doesn't expand his game, you have a John Wall type All-Star.

[@ninenine2438]

Facts

[@realnigga42069]

Brian CAN miss that damn chair, barely can fit one of them hippo cheeks

[@fireforce9706]

Lol

[@mohamad4257]

We all got something we could work on.

[@Logical281]

Brian has never missed a meal in his life

[@bgstv10001]

Why you looking at his body are you gay why do you care if he's fat grow the fuck up

[@petergabriel4063]

@@bgstv10001 Jesus calm the fuck down... It's a joke lol

[@redman41]

You was wrong again s.smith

[@SAMMIEJONESJUNIOR]

Someone need to bring this video up to Stephen A right now lol.

[@wweecwwcwtna1928]

Ja has to land better attacking the rim because if he dont fix that, he can be dealing with injuries real quick like d rose. Other than that he'll be a good player.

[@jay_officialtv4000]

I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY YALL BE DOWN PLAYING THE NEW PLAYERS GIVE THEM NIGGAS PROPS TO MAKING IT THIS FAR AND KEEPING LOOKING AT HIM AS HE DEVELOP HIS BALL SKILLS

[@youngcitybandit]

Swear. Most rookies are preyed on in their first 2 seasons are forgotten for a few more then finally perform well. Maybe just maybe its the pressure lmao

[@JayTheRealest1]

*Lmao they dick ride Zion but hate on every one else.*

[@gballa2730]

I agree!! Welcome to Memphis Ja...F what the haters say...I personally feel you will develop into a great player..

[@truzzprod.8191]

I thought you typed ball sacks lmao

[@vidalbolton2373]

N word in this thread? very stupid.

[@speedygonzales6028]

0:01 that is a horrible angle for Brian Windhorst

[@MichaelJordann23]

lmao

[@patricija4179]

Love Windy but who cares they didn't make him fat, he did.

[@11Pharcyde]

As opposed to any other angle??

[@art-sw1de]

He seems like a really nice and professional guy tho

[@omgitsshaneelite1926]

😂😂😂

[@princecheck11]

Memphis is a “bad team” but went to the play in & got 9th place then this year they in the playoffs crazyy

[@kelseydortch797]

Right

[@Ddddjjbddd]

IM LAUGHING RIGHT NOW AT STEPHEN'S TAKE

[@RezaG]

I'm here after Ja just dropped 52 reasons why Kellerman was right.

[@Seracen]

SAS took a huge L on Porzingis (granted, injuries and the Knicks management bungled that prospect regardless). I don't know that I'd trust his take on rookie prospects, lol!

[@tylerh6315]

Seracen he’s on the Mavericks 😂not SAS

[@dukemyers3690]

YRNReacts SAS means Stephen a Smith bro put the pieces together cmon

[@wkeon]

If u gotta put shit in parentheses then u took the L

[@Amb252]

Ja Morant is going to be a superstar

[@rinpendra6377]

Bruh Brian just took 1/3 of the screen💀

[@woosteppa7017]

Another Cold take from SAS, Max should show these cold freezing takes on a show.

[@MsMrapplepie]

Why Brian look heavier than Stephen A, Molly and Max combined?

[@marvinydj]

MsMrapplepie he’s rich man I hope he gets on a diet and stay healthy

[@MsMrapplepie]

marvelous marvin That’s what I’m saying, man. Dude should be concerned for his healthy considering he’s around all these healthier people. He’s probably 300+ just by looking at him.

[@brendondowdy5651]

Because he is lol.

[@darrelljones3965]

Max just sent me here lol

[@JT-ul5yy]

The Memphis mentality fits Ja Morant very well! Dude will be a stud!

[@mattnorris7124]

They have a pretty good start to a classic gritty Grizzlies team. Even if Ja isn't technically a great defender, he has a great motor and is hyper athletic so I think he'll get pretty good on that end of the floor, especially if he bulks up a little. Lineups with him & Grayson Allen in the back court are going to be a pain to play against because they'll just be in your face the whole time. They also still have Avery Bradley and if he can find some form again, he'll be a good contributor too and they have Jae Crowder coming in as well. Chandler Parsons' contract is up at the end of the season too so that'll free up a huge amount of cap room for when they do want to try and add some pieces to start making a push for the playoffs.

[@lavarball7538]

Screw Ja Morant and draft my boys. Melo and Gelo will make any team win a championship.

[@oscarsainz9865]

LaVar Ball no cap melo gon be dangerous

[@SenorGnar]

Y’all ain’t even ready for L’Donatello. The BIGGEST BALLER. Never even heard the word “lost”.

[@jamesmacworthy8228]

Windhorst got about 10 cameras on him by the looks of it.

[@CS-wn2sz]

He's round enough that you need all those angles

[@animelytical8354]

"In college he shot better than Steph Curry". Max needs to stay off those methamphetamines.

[@georgekurioreilly4857]

he admitted it was wrong.

[@elmalloc]

did you google how to spell that

[@yomama4886]

Its true..he shot better than Steph and dame and cj...cant u see the numbers kid

[@brandon.skates]

All Steven A does is interrupt Max and then talks about being respectful...

[@gangg1762]

He had valid points in this segment tho

[@brandon.skates]

@@gangg1762 I'm not sure which "he". You're referring to, but Max's argument carried the day for me. Especially when he compared Morant's stats to other successful mid-majors.

[@jasonbush3846]

this didnt age well, ROY, All-Star starter, CANT MISS

[@sbs2089]

Rookie of the Year!!!!

[@lakersyoungcoreareaveragep1639]

No one knew who Ja Morant was before the tournament. I hate when the media starts hyping players up, based on a few games in college

[@jerrydulin6029]

Lakersyoungcoreareaverage playersatbest what you talking about he played 4 years at Murray St.

[@trippysavage9217]

Jerry Dulin no tf he didn’t 🤣🤣🤣 this past season was his sophomore season .

[@Eli-im2jw]

i mean you can’t say nobody know who Ja is because I mean i know someone who did........

[@johnwickkkkk1]

Lakersyoungcoreareaverage playersatbest Nah only casual fans found out about him at the tournament. Speak for yourself.

[@johnwickkkkk1]

Lakersyoungcoreareaverage playersatbest He was a projected top 5 pick in December too. Lot of basketball heads were talking about him, and analysts. He would be talked about on hella shows. But the casuals didn’t know about him until the tournament.

[@trusteppakt5908]

“Memphis is gonna be a bad team”- Fat Boy Brian 3:00

[@colbywoodmedia]

Kentwone D. Townsend preach🔥😂

[@SummerSixteen09]

Lmao then Ja proceeds to prove everyone wrong and wins rookie of the year😂 This man ja is the next big star after this generation of player starts to flush out. Forget Zion lmao

[@skippythealien9627]

granted no one has a crystal ball but this is hilarious to watch in 2022

[@freakinyaya88]

Max: My dad is here (on set) today SAS: You’re wrong and here’s why you’re wrong

[@TheRyan669]

Hope you check this again

[@MichaelG07]

look at Molly being so uncomfortable the moment Stephen A Smith brings up Lonzo BALL lmao

[@babywatt1964]

Ya'll funny as hell,their talking sports and ya'll talking about Brian's chair begging for mercy lol!!!!

[@markitgarza6753]

Won 2020 ROTY, should've gone #1 Overall

[@okdogz3892]

I disagree

[@chrisparker3708]

I just hope ja morant can stay healthy I see a young d rose in him he could be great if healthy

[@animelytical8354]

LONZO SHOT 55% AND 41% FROM THREE?!?!?! LAWWWWWD

[@malikgaruba4079]

still find it hard to believe... zo gonna b back better

[@Amb252]

Look at Ja Morants numbers in the NBA as a rookie

[@mangacomicvisionarygenius9612]

SAS never said Ja Morant wasn't going to be good or was a bad pick at number 2 in the draft. He was just saying it's possible he could've been and he's not a can't miss. Max just was way more confident he was a Can't Miss and should get credit for that.

[@mrpzpdx]

He’s gonna be amazing!! Passing shooting speed and strength he’s legit!! I

[@davidjohnsonGT]

"I was the one who taught Ja Morant how to play basketball." T.K. Kirkland.

[@GooTheGuru]

Cris Carter...

[@GeecheeSean]

"You're entitled to your illusions" -Stephen A Smith

[@jpjovs1786]

bigskinny61 dude hearing from a flipflopping commentator is like hearing bad noise id rather watch shannon and skip with undisputed

[@GeecheeSean]

@@jpjovs1786 I agree. I thought it was hilarious that sas says this🤣🤣

[@michaelannan8601]

Max -2 Stephen A-0

[@oozziehalifa4435]

My boy BW needs to holla at me. Let me help him get into fighting shape

[@kendallhoulder5139]

Morant is the Future!!!

[@elvinjamessunggay2307]

Jokes on you Stephen, hes gonna be ROTY

[@1biasedherbertfan979]

He almost won unanimously

[@lukakostic6984]

Brian Windhorst needs to take his sportswriting knowledge to Ashley Furniture Homestore to get a sofa for the next First Take

[@mattnorris7124]

Looks like he's on his 3rd or 4th take by now

[@teejaytv3821]

I feel bad for Brian all these comments talking about how big he is😭

[@doubletakebroom2577]

Tyler Jones I can’t respect someone who doesn’t take care of their damn health. It’s all we have. Take care of yourself! If not for you at least for those who love you

[@marcobaker1475]

Max was rite 😂😂😂

[@lavarball7538]

Jalen you better keep your girl molly in line.

[@abelle621]

LMAO

[@trollmasterflex9429]

Chris Injeian no she doesnt lmfao dickhead

[@KeyesMillie]

This aged well 🤣🤣

[@rockypeter8296]

Kawhi will join LAKERS as Reveng to coach POP. You heard it here first.

[@gloxdrippy3561]

4:25 I’m glad Stephen A brought that up becuase that just shows you that you don’t want to change peoples jump shots if the lakers would of never tried to tweak with his shot he would of been a much better shooter

[@focusedallday5620]

If Memphis doesn't go with Morant, they fools.

[@damianlillardsfavoriteson2068]

@Focused All Day They’ve literally announced that they’re picking Ja Ja.

[@lebryanthoward9416]

New Orleans picks RJ and Memphis go with Morant, they fools.

[@lyubomirbonev2539]

them talking about Ja is exactly the same way they talked about Trae, but even more overhyped. I love how Trae game is evolving, all the best for Ja too

[@DAllanRixxTV]

Darius Garland is the best player in the draft, if they miss out on him brah they will regret it like they did Steph Curry...

[@juhwandavis9236]

D'Allan Rixx T.V. He is good but not better then morant

[@cavsbetta]

I want the cavs to get culver or hunter. I don’t want garland. But maybe he’ll prove me wrong

[@4thdownand99yardstogo2]

When Ja Morant hurt his ankle in the Belmont game with 40 scouts in attendance, he left out the game and came with a bad wheel. He still gave 100 percent with Murry State taking an L.

[@dhawk718]

Well said Max. You got this one! I like Morant far better than RJ Barrett!

[@krunkformula]

Obviously Morant>Barrett I don't think anyone is saying otherwise but Barrett still good though people disrespecting him imo

[@shakiemjeanjoseph428]

He got drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019

[@patricija4179]

When i heard " Point God" i was out.

[@dsgpiccolo]

Did you even listen to his definition of point God?

[@greekyoungbuck]

He's confident about his game I believe great players are I've never seen a bad confident or cocky player

[@patricija4179]

@Mind of the North Star who the hell is he? Look at all the superstars in the NBA,noone said anything cocky like that... Look at his interviews , dude talks like it's him against the world and he is above the world... that will be a problem just watch he won't be nearly as good as ppl make him out to be

[@patricija4179]

@@greekyoungbuck this is not confidence bruh...all the best players now are or were humble. This little shit has not proven one thing, and you will see. I said the same thing about Fultz and look what happened to that poor dude.

[@zaymia258]

@@patricija4179 bro jus let tha nigga do him, if dude believe in himself that much let em because who the hell is any of us to tell him he aint

[@raysfonexchange]

The off the cuff interaction between these guys is just so slick! Stephen 'A' kills it everytime (& im not even a BB fan)!

[@jamesmoore7350]

SAS is saying the same thing about Zion and his body and the way he jumps? 🤔

[@geraldkirkwood]

Skip made a good point part of being a leader is knowing when and where to speak..from personal experience I had to learn that, you cant just say whatever you feel anytime you like when you are a leader

[@tigerhoods7927]

Steph curry actually plays defense and tries unlike other point guards

[@AysarAburrub]

Curry plays defense? LUL

[@genaroboomin2557]

Bet SAS feels dumb now

[@kingortizjr.7580]

was brian always this big? he looked huge

[@adeajakaiye955]

Lowkey ja prob gon have a better season than zion

[@bennymiddleman2184]

Ja Got That Dog In Him Memphis Perfect Landing Spot for Him.

[@mattnorris7124]

That Grizzlies team for next season is full of dogs man, Ja, Grayson, Crowder, Avery Bradley, JV. They're going to be one of those teams you HATE to play against.

[@paquinraino8180]

@@mattnorris7124 Avery, Crowder ain't there anymore, but they are still hella good

[@mattnorris7124]

@@paquinraino8180 I mean my prediction from the start of the season was wrong anyway 🤣

[@tonehealth6993]

1st player in college wit 20 & 10?? I could be mistaking but didn’t trae young just do that a year ago?

[@schuylersavage276]

Nope below 10 assists but close

[@901shun8]

Steven A... Ja is Box Office Man....If he was going to knicks you wouldn’t b acting like that.

[@jermainereese6848]

Lmbao facts

[@callums3172]

Ask Stephen A now 😂

[@tavaresprice750]

Ja Morant going to be better than Zion Mark my words

[@JayTheRealest1]

*Facts*

[@kylebali8636]

Ja Morant playing like the ROTY RN!

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

Ja morant is going to be one hell of a point guard

[@thatboiferrot9819]

I bet you Stephen A is eating he's words up now💯

[@Jamal-we1vh]

Really just disrespected Jamal Crawford

[@beastmode21000]

he in the playoffs now

[@vulgarpupil4122]

why is the a 400lbs man covering sports

[@lebryanthoward9416]

At least he's not 500 lbs.

[@TheEndoKenzo]

DON DIEGO M he likes to analyze hamburgers

[@Mycarisloose]

Big Brian up in here looking scrumptious. Something about that smirk