Temetrius "Ja" Morant

[mattg]

Morant's numbers now as a 19-year-old blow Damian's out of the water as a senior.

What is translatable with his production though? Like what does he do on the court that hes also going to do at the next level.

With Dame you could see on tape that he had the athleticism and shooting ability to do something in the nba. How do you project Ja?

[clyde21]

Morant's numbers now as a 19-year-old blow Damian's out of the water as a senior.

What is translatable with his production though? Like what does he do on the court that hes also going to do at the next level.

With Dame you could see on tape that he had the athleticism and shooting ability to do something in the nba. How do you project Ja?

he has the athleticism, quick-twitch COD and handle to virtually be able to get anywhere he wants on the court. He'll be able to his own shots on the perimeter as well as on drives. He has enough vision and passing ability to be a legitimate threat on drive-and-kicks, and gets enough elevation to finish strong at the rim.

and for what it's worth, he's shooting over 35% from deep in conference play so far on the year (his percentages have actually gone up, compared to Young's which actually went down in conference play). If he can even maintain average percentages from deep that's gonna even open up more for his game on the next level, with even more spacing and pace.

[NBA Fan 1234]

He’s in the 50th percentile around the basket before Thursday’s game and hasn’t hit a floater all year, I don’t think. Ja’s finishing is questionable.

[clyde21]

He’s in the 50th percentile around the basket before Thursday’s game and hasn’t hit a floater all year, I don’t think. Ja’s finishing is questionable.

that percentile is gonna go WAY up in the NBA with more spacing and once he starts getting stronger.

[NBA Fan 1234]

He’s in the 50th percentile around the basket before Thursday’s game and hasn’t hit a floater all year, I don’t think. Ja’s finishing is questionable.

that percentile is gonna go WAY up in the NBA with more spacing and once he starts getting stronger.

We’ll see. I don’t think it necessarily will. Also don’t think his frame is great. We will see though...

[mattg]

Morant's numbers now as a 19-year-old blow Damian's out of the water as a senior.

What is translatable with his production though? Like what does he do on the court that hes also going to do at the next level.

With Dame you could see on tape that he had the athleticism and shooting ability to do something in the nba. How do you project Ja?

he has the athleticism, quick-twitch COD and handle to virtually be able to get anywhere he wants on the court. He'll be able to his own shots on the perimeter as well as on drives. He has enough vision and passing ability to be a legitimate threat on drive-and-kicks, and gets enough elevation to finish strong at the rim.

and for what it's worth, he's shooting over 35% from deep in conference play so far on the year (his percentages have actually gone up, compared to Young's which actually went down in conference play). If he can even maintain average percentages from deep that's gonna even open up more for his game on the next level, with even more spacing and pace.

Don't disagree that he will be able to get to wherever on the floor, I just don't think he'll be able to do anything in those spots and/or he just isn't good at the skills required to make use of his ability to create his shot. The guy he really reminds me of in this regard is Terrence Williams who played at Louisville a decade ago. Morant just gives me small T-Will vibes. Williams was a guy with size, insane athletic ability, could handle, pass, defend, rebound, had a few triple doubles. He went 11th in 2009, but he just never had any inbetween game, struggled off ball, and his skills never progressed so he never was able to carve out a role. THat's sorta the trajectory I get from Ja.

I also can't even imagine the bonkers numbers WIlliams would have put up at Murray playing vs nobody.

[Chi town]

Who thinks Ja will be better or worse as Trae as. Rookie?

A lot to love and a lot to question.

[mattg]

Who thinks Ja will be better or worse as Trae as. Rookie?

A lot to love and a lot to question.

worse. I see no way his efficiency isn't atrocious next year. But no team is drafting Morant for next year.

[clyde21]

his efficiency is not gonna be any worse than Traes

[GimmeDat]

I think Ja might be the Bulls #1 non-Zion target. The Bulls have supposedly scouted him heavily and we just shored up our SF position with Otto, whilst Dunn's been inconsistent at best. Pax stated yesterday that we have '4 out of 5 starting positions solidified' (paraphrasing).

The stand-out issue there is Morant/Lavine defensively - that's not ideal. But other than that, we desperately need a quality on-ball option as both a scorer and facilitator, and I think Morant can be somewhat prolific in that role. With Lavine/Porter/Markkanen, and hopefully WCJ getting more of a green light from 3 next season, the spacing will be ideal.

I would maybe be a bit concerned about the cumulative decision making between Morant and Lavine, they're not bad but neither are super high IQ decision guys in that way, be a bit concerning for them to have the keys (coming up to the deadline I was liking Lonzo as a fit because of that aspect in particular).

[big-shot-ROB]

I think Ja might be the Bulls #1 non-Zion target. The Bulls have supposedly scouted him heavily and we just shored up our SF position with Otto, whilst Dunn's been inconsistent at best. Pax stated yesterday that we have '4 out of 5 starting positions solidified' (paraphrasing).

The stand-out issue there is Morant/Lavine defensively - that's not ideal. But other than that, we desperately need a quality on-ball option as both a scorer and facilitator, and I think Morant can be somewhat prolific in that role. With Lavine/Porter/Markkanen, and hopefully WCJ getting more of a green light from 3 next season, the spacing will be ideal.

I would maybe be a bit concerned about the cumulative decision making between Morant and Lavine, they're not bad but neither are super high IQ decision guys in that way, be a bit concerning for them to have the keys (coming up to the deadline I was liking Lonzo as a fit because of that aspect in particular).

I think though Lavine shouldn't be in your long term plans. If Morant gets drafted by Chic and plays well, it might be positive to trade one of the two when the selling price is at an all time high, similar to what Phoenix should have done with Booker.

[CjayC]

biggest question mark isn't his frame or athleticism, it's more his decision making and I don't mean knowing when to pass but how to control the game and orchestrate offense. He's a good passer but I am not sure if he can really run a team at this point and these two are different things. This is why I have him in the 10th range right now and not higher.

speaking of Sexton, he's probably right around that range as a prospect to me.

He's better than Sexton as a prospect. I get the concerns about Morant running a team properly and not just dishing out some heads up highlight assists off of his dribble drive; but Sexton had zero feel/vision for even making the correct pass when it was there, because he's clearly had the chances being as good of a scorer as he is. Sexton still doesn't make the extra pass.

[No-Man]

I think Morant is a legit bet in the top10 or late lotto, I thought Sexton was a back-up combo-Guard to pick in like the 20s

[pelifan]

My only worry with Morant is his frame. I dont remember any other slender attack first guard having success beyond Iverson.

[doordoor123]

My only worry with Morant is his frame. I dont remember any other slender attack first guard having success beyond Iverson.

De’Aaron Fox

[doordoor123]

Sexton is eventually going to take a big **** on all of your heads you doubters.

[Chi town]

I think Ja might be the Bulls #1 non-Zion target. The Bulls have supposedly scouted him heavily and we just shored up our SF position with Otto, whilst Dunn's been inconsistent at best. Pax stated yesterday that we have '4 out of 5 starting positions solidified' (paraphrasing).

The stand-out issue there is Morant/Lavine defensively - that's not ideal. But other than that, we desperately need a quality on-ball option as both a scorer and facilitator, and I think Morant can be somewhat prolific in that role. With Lavine/Porter/Markkanen, and hopefully WCJ getting more of a green light from 3 next season, the spacing will be ideal.

I would maybe be a bit concerned about the cumulative decision making between Morant and Lavine, they're not bad but neither are super high IQ decision guys in that way, be a bit concerning for them to have the keys (coming up to the deadline I was liking Lonzo as a fit because of that aspect in particular).

Agree. Awful fit w Lavine.

Question is who are types of players that fit well with Morant?

I don’t see him succeeding unless he has a great coach and vet PG mentor. Trae is getting that in ATL. It has helped him a TON.

[clyde21]

if Morant is an awful fit next to LaVine, you take Morant and trade LaVine.

Chicago's two targets outside of Zion should be Morant and Garland.

[Duke4life831]

Just watched the game from last night. I have him at the end of the lotto for this draft. He wont fall anymore because of his athleticism. Really just not that impressed with his game. Attacking the rim looks to be the 1 skill that I think will translate, but I dont trust that his finishing will be all that great. I think he is a good facilitator but I dont see anything special in that department.

[DirtyDez]

My only worry with Morant is his frame. I dont remember any other slender attack first guard having success beyond Iverson.

De’Aaron Fox

Does Ja’ have the explosiveness Fox does?