December Prediction: Ja Morant is about to run away and hide with the ROY award
Temetrius Jamel Morant, the best name in the NBA this side of Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, would be the likely winner of the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. But by the time you are unwrapping gifts you don’t like on Christmas morning, Morant will already have the ROY wrapped up – pun very much intended.
My favorite part about Morant is that he seems to get so much better every time I watch him play, even if that’s only a few games apart. He’s been asked to do so much for the Grizzlies this year and has surpassed even the most bullish of expectations.
His stats and the fact that he’s brought more value to his team than any other rookie are why he’ll win the award, but it also helps that he’s one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league regardless of tenure. Everything he did at Murray State is transferring to the NBA – his vision, next-level athleticism, and even his blind courage to try and dunk on a 7-foot statue’s head on a nightly basis.
His athleticism reminds me of when Russell Westbrook first came into the league. The fearlessness that allows them to make the spectacular play is the same fearlessness that causes you to hold your breath and hope they don’t injure themselves every time they recklessly fly through the air to put two points on the board. It’s impossible to take your eyes off of it and once the Grizzlies can build a team around him, Morant will be appointment television.
Morant’s best competition for the award, Zion Williamson, has yet to play a game this year but may be set for a return this month. I think Zion is still the best player from the 2019 draft class, but by the time he comes back Morant will have already built a ROY case that’s too strong for anyone to overcome.