MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on January 17, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, 3 key reasons why Ja Morant could win MVP this season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
With respect to all other organizations in the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies have been the team of this season so far. We know this because, in an unofficial title game that was just made up here, they beat the other contenders to the crown, the Chicago Bulls, at home on MLK Day.
The Bulls were shorthanded, and the social media team of the Grizzlies cared not. All lighthearted quips aside, though, the Grizzlies are the ascending group in the league right now. In truth, they have been for much of the campaign. Ever since a rocky start which saw them languishing around the .500 mark.
Could Ja Morant actually win the MVP award this season?
They are the latest in a long line of teams to arrive ahead of schedule and to take it to the established order on a nightly basis. Ja Morant has been at the center this, and at this point, is a legitimate superstar who will likely start in the upcoming All-Star game in Cleveland next month. We’ve known he was good since day one, but could he actually win MVP this year?
It sounds ridiculous, yes. But if the Grizzlies are ahead of where they should be, why can’t Morant be, too? As we are about to see, there are three key reasons why this is not the crazy suggestion that it might look to be the surface. Really, the only thing you can point to that goes against Morant is the fact the Grizzlies were 10-2 even without him earlier in the season.
This is a deep team that is well-coached and has a bunch of guys who know exactly what their roles are. Morant is at the center of this, the unassuming axis who will stand in the corner while somebody else gets theirs, but who is in control of everything at the same time. Being the best player on a top-five team in the league is a start, but let’s examine further.
