Ja Morant analysis | The Iverson-KJ hybrid

Ja Morant is is an electrifying, exciting rookie guard and likely the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020. What makes him so special? Where does he rank as a playmaker and scorer today? This detailed film breakdown & scouting report of the Memphis Grizzlies rising star guard explores how he can improve and a reasonable ceiling for his future while incorporating analytics & stats to assess his overall impact.
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Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
IMPACT METRICS
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-RAPTOR is 538's model that blends box score information, plus-minus data and player tracking data to estimate player impact. projects.fivethirtyeight.com/...
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by Andy Beatz | Nacht Aktiv

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Fixed the notifications issue for the notification squad (for those who click the bell next to the "subscribe" button) -- you should be receiving notifications again next video. YT had changed the upload process and they were unchecked for some reason. re: Zion. Unfortunately, I'm going to wait for more games from him as of now. I'm not entirely comfortable with a 19-game evaluation where he was rusty for the first handful of games. Might change based on how the Bubble Experiment plays out...

[@Weather_Nerd]

Can we get a De’Aaron Fox video? I feel maaybe you had one a year or two back, but he is definitely one of the most exciting young players in the league and despite his injuries and a new coach he still increased his scoring (in the same amount of play time) and was even averaging almost 24ppg our last 6 or so games before the season ended🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Hell, Richaun Holmes would make a good video too for a most improved or just breakout season type of thing. Love your videos, so no matter the content keep em coming!

[@sushihusi35]

I still can't see this video in my subscriber feed

[@2kdemiks816]

lmao i can tell you use picsart for the thumbnails😂

[@adamesegbue7536]

Please can you do a video on JOSH OKOGIE and JORDAN NWORA. THANKS

[@Iskate305]

Make a Bam Adebayo video

[@PuchuKt]

Common sense: KJ=kevin johnson My brain:kevin Jarnett

[@ikeblu]

Glad I wasn't the only one

[@bjarkihrafnolafsson916]

Kevin james...

[@eliaspepito3281]

I thought the same 🤣

[@mylesjoseph-givhan7487]

Kj McDaniels 😂

[@Switcheroo1]

Klyde Jrexler?

[@chrissullivan6572]

I love how you'll show a clip of a miss or foul to highlight the pass or cut. The action is the highlight, not the result.

[@jiraiyasannin5905]

Well....yeAh

[@chrissullivan6572]

@@jiraiyasannin5905 Most people wouldn't tho.

[@yopawpaw7408]

Well hes young. These actions will turn into results 😌

[@ams19992]

The exact opposite of what you see on TNT or ESPN. Any made shot is great offense and any miss is great defense.

[@Anthonydu01630]

In football (soccer for you american) its normal. Some of you say its boring or there are not even 1 goal sometimes but a 0-0 can be entertaining as fuck because its all about the creation and not only the finition. Thats why non american like me really enjoy players like Lebron, Magic, Bird, Iverson, Kyrie, KD, Curry, Nash, Trae young ect, because the passes and the dribbles they make are more entertaining than the goals for me. I know this will probably sound like a blasphem for you but i really dont find MJ that entertaining, he is a deadly scorer but less artistic than the other players i mentionned, i dont find his dribbles/handles amazing, nether his passes .. He is just an amazing mid range scorer, he has an amazing accuracy, focus and mental but there are tons of players who can make the same move, just not consistently like him. He can jump and dunk but just like most players i dont see whats so impressive about it he isny even that fast. Im way more impressed by a no look pass behind the back that goes between the legs of the defender like Lebron james did than a mid range shot, and im way more impressed by Iverson crossover than MJ dunks but thats just me .

[@MemphisGrizzlies]

We think he's pretty good too 😎💪

[@thebeef8115]

Cool 😂😂

[@VivaLeRevolucion]

R.O.T.Y

[@PortgasDASCE]

ROTY

[@justinwright3977]

We love you Memphis remember me when I’m in the draft me and ja are going to be deadly backcourt

[@jeffreyliu7840]

@@justinwright3977 lmao haha

[@frane3781]

I was at his house once, his ceiling is like nine feet high

[@LowBudgetJustinY]

Im waiting for someone to be r/wooshed lmao

[@YunisRajab]

@@LowBudgetJustinY well you ruined it now no one will say something stupid

[@ryanmehring4080]

Am i missing a reference? Or are you just saying he has high potential... I have to stop doing so many drugs

[@LowBudgetJustinY]

@@YunisRajab looks like we have a victim to woosh now..

[@ryanmehring4080]

@@LowBudgetJustinY could you lower my self esteem AND explain the joke please. You're allowed to do both

[@youssefelamrani]

"Remember he's only 6'3" The NBA really is another world

[@internetexplorer3596]

It's not that tall dude. I'm 6'2 and I don't find myself towering over everyone. Most guys I see are like 5'9 - 6'0.

[@smagss]

Internet Explorer facts

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Internet Explorer average height is 5 ft 10 so yes, it is that tall. Who u have around doesn’t make that any less taller than it is.

[@youssefelamrani]

@@internetexplorer3596 I'm 6'1-6'2 too and no, I'm not towering over people but I'm taller than most and statistically 6'3 is pretty damn tall

[@Holygiant]

@@internetexplorer3596 only about 4% of American men are 6'3 or taller. Less than 2% are 6'4+.

[@Tan-qm3yq]

This guy deserves WAY more subs with the insane quality, not clickbait videos.

[@ITsATRAPPPP]

I wish I could sub more than once :(

[@eddeede586]

Facts

[@chuyozuna2398]

duck boy I just discovered him right now and I just hit the sub button and the bell

[@CJM3TR0]

Big facts

[@isaacdisanto1020]

My jaw was literally wide open for so many of these highlights... I haven't seen such absurd twitchiness since prime Derrick Rose. I can't believe I haven't been watching the Grizzlies this season

[@paquinraino8180]

you did like everyone else did, that's why you have so many ppl believing Zion is Roty

[@TheNamesDitto]

I sincerely hope he stays healthy.

[@africaRBG]

@@paquinraino8180 zion was definitely playin like a rookie of the year but ja has been puttin in the work since the beginning

[@camark0819]

You are missing out man. Had the privilege of seeing him in Memphis twice this year. Haven't seen speed like that in a long time

[@kalebmacklin1837]

Issac DiSanto You missing out bro we are a fun young team

[@des0163]

You should do a video about all the best role players in the league, you could talk about how that player fits a specific role and their fit on their current team.

[@paquinraino8180]

Bucks got a lot of them

[@ryanmehring4080]

@@paquinraino8180 if he did a video on donte id drop everything, no matter what i was doing

[@paquinraino8180]

@@ryanmehring4080 Coach Daniel did a video on him

[@ryanmehring4080]

@@paquinraino8180 yea I saw it. Fantastic job. I guess im just greedy. Plus ben is one of my favorites

[@metaldude4563]

Yeah I'd watch the shit out of that

[@tn15_]

6:10 "I like that he overplays the corner three here instead of respecting Russell Westbrook" lmao

[@ezE-oi8dp]

This was a great prediction. Every thing you pointed out basicly improved and he's an all-star now

[@kevinmcilwain2684]

Ja has LeBron-esque passing potential and I’m glad it seems to have transitioned seamlessly to the league. I get the Westbrook comparisons in his game as far as athleticism goes, but Ja’s overall skill this early on is bonkers. He could have a scary good career if he becomes an even above-average defender. Like perennial-top-5-player good 😳

[@jarrodfrazier4512]

He could be Westbrook x cp3 in my opinion since he’s a great playmaker and a shorter guard

[@picassojulien899]

DripDad YT hes 6’3 he’s the dude of regular pgs

[@paquinraino8180]

and also he is training to improve his outside shoot

[@LunaticTheCat]

I think the best thing he could do for his game right now (offensively) would be develop a deadly three point shot, by making at least 1000 three point shots (or more) a day, every single day. If he does this he should be able to develop a lethal three point jumper that extends a few (or more feet) beyond the line. The extra spacing this would give him would make him absolutely unstoppable. Think about it this way; if Damian Lillard were to have Ja Morant's quickness, athleticism & passing abilities, with his already lethal unlimited range three shooting, he would probably be the best player in the NBA. I know it's unrealistic to expect Ja Morant (or anyone really) to develop a three point shot akin to Damian Lillard's, but he should still try his absolute hardest to get as close to that level of shooting as he can.

[@paquinraino8180]

@@LunaticTheCat Lillard have Ja Morant quickness and athleticism just not the same passing abilities and court vision, But if Morant can shoot at 37% still but with 5-6 shot attempts per game (which will took 3-4 years), he would be lethal knowing he is clutch. Also defensively, if he improve on his concentration and off ball defense (which he can do easily in 1 year-, plus work on how to defend out the screen with a better placement (which will take 2-3 years). To me at 23-24 he could already be lethal

[@jonLK47]

How about a video on 'which Young Teams' have the brightest future. An analysis on which rookies and young players fit well. E.g: Ja and Jackson jr, Zion, Ingram and ball. Booker and Ayton. Luka KP etc

[@chevon7665]

That would be fantastic. he could also in depth on areas of needs for each team and explain how different play styles impact their efficiency on both ends of the ball.

[@zinouaboura7968]

A serie with multiple episodes🔥

[@Weather_Nerd]

Fox and Bagley

[@paquinraino8180]

Bagley- Fox- Hield

[@norlandy272]

Teams change so much nowadays

[@SubMeInCoach]

Appreciate you doing these videos man, love hearing your takes on players and it helps me improve on my videos as well.

[@chrissullivan6572]

I was looking for a video to eat too and Ben does his thing. I love you.

[@MrGatorboy99]

The only thing I’ve been looking more forward to other than sports coming back. Thank you sir

[@cauezimmermann538]

One of the best if not the best NBA analytic content on KZbin bro. Keep up the awesome work I always try to support you by liking the video and sharing with friens that like bball

[@En_Gho]

I enjoy your videos and the effort behind them very much. Keep up the great work!

[@ryanmontague3377]

Crazy how if Ja tried his ball handling moves with palming like that in the 50's and 60's he would get called every single time. The game evolves so much every decade

[@jamesynfg2136]

Rules gotta keep up with the evolution of the players. As athletes became better shooters, the 3 point shot became a thing. As they got faster and more explosive, zone was allowed to make defensive rotation give the defense a chance to stop the fast ball handler. It’s cool watching the game evolve

[@imronburgundy69]

At 2:04 he literally travels in between dribbles lol

[@playerhawk3105]

Love these vids! I just need more of them!

[@WorldWide3133]

GREAT video. Not just a bunch of highlight fodder. Real, grounded, data-driven analysis. I hope his coaches continue to give him a long leash to figure things out for himself and the Iverson highlights are a great comparison of his play style. It's why I can't take my eyes off his games.

[@lilnizal]

A simple man I see a ben vid I like the ben vid. Keep em coming bro💪🏽

[@oTownruler]

By far the best basketball analysis channel out there!

[@nikagogibedashvili6476]

Man, you rock. Such a great analasys.

[@Icenspelgude]

This is my favorite sports channel

[@robertirving7346]

Best nba channel on KZbin

[@danielmaneferreira8031]

another great vid, as usual

[@dangelodrummond8315]

A video we needed!!

[@richardmoran7141]

Been waiting on this video!!!! PUMPED for the future in Memphis

[@elitheeconomist5674]

Ben dropping bangers .!

[@elibelly9373]

Keep it up! Proud Patreon subscriber

[@matthewvaldovinos3522]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@Iowntzyooz]

Best basketball channel right now. I hope you guys do a video on Kobe’s defense.

[@chuyozuna2398]

I just discovered your videos right now and I’m officially subbed and hit the notification bottom as well

[@andrewrodriguez7493]

Ja is one of my favorite players. Love watching him do his thing.

[@arbernumani3709]

Havent watched the video yet but I already know its gonna be awesome

[@Redoreed]

This is the best basketball channel on KZbin.

[@Irfanhill]

Nice video, I didn't check a lot of Ja Morant games and only saw the highlights so it's always good to have your detailed input. He seems to be carrying the ball on almost all his drives though... Tough to officiate and I guess even if NBA officials called these fouls more often, they would have to let slid a few for show and not to seem to be targeting him. But he exaggerates by bending their tolerance that much.

[@trvspvrk]

most insightful basketball channel ever

[@pedromdcc13]

Months long struggle waiting for this video

[@ronnieshafran8108]

Great Video!

[@odyzzeyg1270]

You ever worked as a defensive coordinator/coaching staff?..ur observations are sharp and transparent sir...keep it up👏👊👍

[@designerspen7420]

Love watching the evolution of the game brougt in by people like Morant he is futuristic forsure with the properties he brings to the game .

[@ethangilworth7891]

Brandon Clarke's finish at 4:04 is honestly the most impressive play in this video

[@M0RNINGSTAR888]

8:37

[@steverj2742]

Great breakdown

[@StoneGames21]

Fantastic video as always, Ben! However, this video didn’t appear in my subscription feed for some reason.

[@light687]

Supreme Content.

[@bigjax731]

Great video

[@jervoskitzin]

I don't have the notification bell clicked because I prefer scanning my subscription feed....but this wasn't in my sub feed. I double checked and it still isn't there. But yet I am subscribed. Weird. Found it in my recommendations!

[@capohim]

Good analysis!

[@jackieng11]

The greatest Nba channel on KZbin no cap

[@BobbyPERu4u]

It'd be interesting if you did these early career analysis videos for stars of yesteryear like Jordan or Shaq or Iverson after a year or two in the league (using footage from their first year or two).

[@gammaj8659]

Can‘t have enough Ja's analysis. I think Ja is more like a mix of CP3 and AI.

[@marcusrim8167]

560 likes, 0 dislikes geez, thats how u know ur great

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Still really want a Cp3. Would love to see his game broken down like this. Nice vid mate!!!

[@drissaloui632]

RIP Bismack Biyombo

[@Blippy-hb4by]

Keep up the uploads

[@michaellowery6201]

He reminds me a lot of the early 2000s combo guards like Marbury and Iverson

[@hl1921]

i've never seen anybody get bamboozled like that @ 3:50

[@kylander_1423]

Damn dude, this is great as always. How long do you produce these videos?

[@justtimes9257]

greatest video; he is going to be a future hall of fame, top 5 player in the nba man impact & when game improve his team and if improve his iq & off ball movement then defensive too he going to truly make grizzlies a finals contender

[@colinbock4357]

Can you do a video on Jusuf Nurkic? I know he was injured , but before his injury he was playing like the second best player on the team

[@ronomgenuff]

👌👌👌 excellent, excellent video!

[@lito5953]

Watching Luka, Trae, Ja, and soon Cade for the next decade is gonna be so dope

[@amc6939]

Love this channel, what's "futuristic ball handling" though.

[@dplunk13]

Really excited to be a Grizzlies fan right now. Ja, Brandon Clarke, and Valaciunus are good and young players already. Kyle Anderson was playing well and Tyus Jone is a really good backup point guard. The only major problems last season was SG where Dillon Brooks was bad and Jaren Jackson not showing much improvement. But he's still young and iirc your video on him thought there was good potential there. If they get just an average SG and everyone else can keep improving they should at least be a consistent playoff team.

[@gd131]

With how dangerous his movements are, the real question is: "How long will those knees last?"

[@donaldpriola1807]

From what I've seen during the Bubble, he's playing a bit more in control, and he's even smarter with the ball. He's clearly watched tape, and is listening to coaches about throwing his body around too much. He has the potential to be truly great.

[@GodofDisco]

Finally, Ja is very special.

[@MemphisGrizzlies]

💪

[@gabrieln2065]

If you can do an analysis on Jalen Brunson or Donte Divincenzo it will be really awesome!! great video as always!

[@TheGreatAndEpicMe]

His play really reminds of vintage D.Rose, hopefully he doesn't get injured going forward.

[@alanf5615]

Is it possible to make more team offense related content Im curious how dillon Brooks and Ja pair together and wich other players would be a good fit for the team. Kinda get a snapshot of what the offense looks like compared to other teams

[@frax681]

A video on Bam would be really cool. I also think a video on Matisse Thybulle would be really cool.

[@suckmehoff5108]

His finishing inside reminds me of Nash. Always using his body and being crafty.

[@ikeblu]

Grizzlies gonna be scary in a couple years if him and JJJ keep developing

[@t4d0W]

JJJ is the one to watch out for in terms of the floor of the team. He could turn into a very tall quality 3-D guy who who is the all utility defender at the 4/5, similar to how Towns is turning into a pseudo center version of Durant with his 3-ball shooting. It also helps out Ja with his ability to play PnR and always being able to attack and kicking out the ball to find his shooters.

[@paquinraino8180]

JA-JJJ- Brooks and Clarke 2 rookies and 2 sophomore arrives as a 8th seed

[@Htiy]

Honestly, this so true. Unpopular opinion but I’m even more interested in JJJ than Ja

[@forcemaster9922]

Joshua Rivers I think he’s overrated...JJJ can’t rebound and always fouls out

[@Sesefields]

Can people start to acknowledge Jonas's importance on that roster a bit more?

[@willmolloy1526]

664:1 like to dislike ratio. Elgee is killing it.

[@MultiJlife]

Thank you sir. Curious, who has more impact on their team irght now, Trae young or Ja?

[@ianrhodes8786]

the play at 3:18 is amazing

[@willhooke]

He is a modern AI. That's amazing!

[@linoatmowihardjo2175]

"hope you're having... a great day" at the end gives me "welcome to... the Lowe post" vibes

[@kennynguyen6246]

1:25 Ja really reminds me of a young D-Rose with his attacking to the rim style. Pray for Ja to not have the same outcome 🙈

[@chrislane9615]

Sabonis video would be great to see how much he improved

[@tm7517]

Simply put though, this is the best and most accessible nba podcast/KZbin analysis channel I’ve heard.

[@tradtrad1000]

Love how you use KJ as an abbreviation for Kevin Johnson like people watching the video know who he is

[@biggestbullsfan8569]

Wow never realized that this guy played like a young d rose

[@ethanhansen1479]

Finally we get a ja video

[@davidbae5615]

potential is good... hope he lives up to it.

[@kgosimotlogelwa4549]

You hinted this video 4-months ago in the Shai video. 4 MONTHS. Argh... time to prepare my lunch and come sit down and watch this... 4 MONTHS...

[@vidan004]

Any plans for 90s Bulls content?? Jordan or Pippen would be unreal

[@iinterested388]

Do one one Bam Adebayo. He's been killing it this year!

[@japinoballah]

In the offseason I would love a Fox, Trae, Ja comparison video. Personally I'd rank Offensively Trae, Ja, Fox. But, on D I'd rank it Fox, Ja, Trae.To me it is kind of pick your flavor for highest potential.

[@LowBudgetJustinY]

If Ja doesn't win ROTY imma riot

[@aleksanderbandreassen4915]

I would love a video on the league's best traditional centers. The most valuable "dinosaurs"

[@Jairusd88]

Ima a huge weight room fan, I wanna say he needs to hit the weights but idk, his explosiveness is kinda built off of his body type but at the same time he’ll be able to finish more through people like a Russ if he does lift.Morant is gonna be a extremely interesting watch because he’s going up I just don’t know where his ceiling is dope video.

[@Jake-up5xh]

it would be awesome if you did one on Bam

[@Ozem_Israel]

Iverson-KJ? Hell yeah I'll give you that. Sub

[@abduugas]

He’s so good

[@jamesm69182]

Connected to the strength and on-ball defense points, we can't forget that he's doing what he can in spots at (currently) sub-180lbs. I think if he keeps his hands up and reads passing lanes his defense ends up somewhere between Steph and Russ within... 3 years. Not STL leader levels but not a liability on defense either.

[@jeffreyxu6430]

Can you do an analysis on Anthony Davis and Curry? Fire vid like usual Ben

[@samisami9114]

he has great potenial especially if he becomes less sloppy and improves as a shooter especially the mid range cause then that pick n roll becomes deadly since whoever sets that pick ja can cut and he has jjj or dillon brooks to kick it out once he breaks down the defense