Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant firmly believes the only team stopping them from winning it all is the Boston Celtics.

He clearly expects to see the C’s there, too. And while the Warriors are struggling, they can’t be overlooked either. The New Orleans Pelicans are one group who are actually looking like a possible dark horse with Zion Williamson back, while the Phoenix Suns are always dangerous in the playoffs, too.

After a heated series last postseason, Memphis will take on Golden State on Christmas Day.

[Steph Curry](/nba/players/1685204/stephen-curry/) is the [self-proclaimed "petty king." [earned a suspension](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/grizzlies-vs-warriors-memphis-dillon-brooks-suspended-for-game-3-after-flagrant-foul-on-gary-payton-ii/) when his flagrant foul during Game 2 of the Grizzlies' playoff series with the Warriors broke [Gary Payton II's](/nba/players/2266964/gary-payton-ii/) elbow. But no, Morant says he's "fine" in the West. I'm fine in the West." Led by 23-year-old [Ja Morant](/nba/players/2892772/ja-morant/), the upstart Grizzlies have gone from a promising young team two years ago to a bona fide title contender, entering Wednesday night tied with the [Denver Nuggets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/DEN/denver-nuggets/) for first place in the Western Conference. 13 seed -- but it's hard not to see this as yet another shot fired in the budding rivalry between Memphis and Golden State.

There's one team that Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant is wary of as he chases an NBA title this year.

Without missing a beat, he said the Boston Celtics. But there's one team he's wary of as he chases an NBA title this year. Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has his team tied for the best record in the NBA Western Conference and by year's end they might have the top record in the league.

The greatest competitors in NBA history were always prone to deliver some historic lines while at the same time dissing all their direct rivals.

[Zion Williamson return with the New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/2022/12/13/6398cdac22601d19178b45cd.html) or Nikola Jokic's impressive start of the season with the [Denver Nuggets](https://www.marca.com/en/basketball/nba/denver-nuggets.html?intcmp=MENUPROD&s_kw=en-nba-denver-nuggets). Morant knows the skills he has and he truly considers himself one of the best, if not the absolute best. Is he right or is he just teasing his opponents? We are not saying Ja Morant is not absolutely serious about his statement, he means what he is saying 100%. In the East, the Milwaukee Bucks have a 22-8 record and the Boston Celtics boast a 22-9 record. Morant maintains things would've played out a lot differently had he not fallen injured in the Playoffs.

There are still roughly 50 games left in the NBA schedule, but teams are jostling into position early on. The Grizzlies are trying to follow-up on their ...

So Morant could’ve wanted to make his own noise in alerting any West rivals who saw the interview. The Celtics were the ones who went to Finals last season and have a young core of guys like Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. The Grizzlies are trying to follow-up on their success from last season, when they finished No. The C’s are also bound to have a target even if they’ve lost four of their last five games. Morant’s answer was simple: “Celtics.” Andrews asked in a follow-up if there were any West teams on his list, but Morant said “nah, I’m fine in the West.” It’s some subtle trash talk with plenty of season left. Jayson Tatum and Morant squared off as [the two stars showed some respect](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/11/ja-morant-wanted-jayson-tatum-to-miss-but-celtics-star-needed-to-put-deuce-to-sleep.html) to each other throughout the game.

Jan 26, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center.

I'm fine in the West." Even the Grizzlies themselves are struggling to find their footing as their Big Three of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane have yet to play a single minute together all season. But when Andrews mentioned the West, Morant said, “Nah.

That said, Morant is confident in Memphis' place within the NBA hierarchy. The 2022 All-Star told Andrews that he believes the Boston Celtics (22-9) are the ...

Memphis will look to exorcise those demons this season and make it to the Conference Finals and possibly beyond, with the Warriors facing some trouble with their [win-and-develop-now approach](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/steve-kerr-on-the-strong-foundation-the-warriors-have-built/) to the season. [ Grizzlies finished second in the West](https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/memphis-grizzlies-slam-238/) and lost a six-game second-round series to the eventual champion Warriors. [burst through the championship scene](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/ja-morant-on-his-47-point-outing-this-was-a-must-win-for-us/). When the NBA Today host asked about the Western Conference, Morant said, “I’m fine in the West.” Morant is averaging 27.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.6 percent beyond the arc. [Desmond Bane](https://www.slamonline.com/?s=Desmond+Bane) still missing in action because of a [sprained big toe](https://www.slamonline.com/nba/desmond-bane-set-to-miss-2-3-weeks-due-to-sprained-big-toe/) he suffered in November.

Skying high for a dunk starts with flexion, a movement of joints that decreases the angle between two limbs. When Morant begins his upward ascent, bending his ...

[Allen Iverson](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=theleadsm.com&utm_campaign=2022-12-20_bbr) [shot](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01/shooting/2006) 55% at the rim in his career 2005-2006 season. However, he ranked first in points in the paint with 14.8, beating out bigs like [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=theleadsm.com&utm_campaign=2022-12-20_bbr) for the title while [shooting](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moranja01/shooting/2022) 68% at the rim. [metrics](https://www.thefocus.news/sports/nba/what-is-ja-morants-vertical-and-how-high-can-he-jump/), Morant has a vertical of 44 inches, wiping the floor with the NBA average of 28 inches. And be sure to check out the [Grizz 901 Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/7auK6DqJSXPhRZt6br2LNA), where the Grizz Lead guys get on to discuss the most recent games and much, much more! But know this—it takes the same amount of time for someone to go up with a jump as it does to go down. Athleticism is common in the league, but talent and skill are what elevates. This is the highest recorded fast-twitch fiber composition in history. Morant’s vertical is so powerful, it creates the illusion of levitation for a few moments before gravity and acceleration take hold. Skying high for a dunk starts with flexion, a movement of joints that decreases the angle between two limbs. “Twitch” refers to contractions of the muscle, how quickly and often they move. Extension is the reverse movement– a joint increasing the angle between two limbs. Fast-twitch fibers are for greater bursts of faster movement, expending more energy in less time.