Zion Williamson’s going to have a tough time of it if he wants to make up all the ground he’s lost in the ROTY of the Year race. Ja Morant’s been having tons of big games, which is one thing, but now he’s had a big game, in a win, on national TV. This might have been the least-watched ESPN game ever, between the Grizzlies and the Jazz, but it’s still a national game, and those make a big impact when it comes to narrative.
Morant is leading all rookies in points and assists after this game. The assists part is unsurprising; the points part, a little surprising but not very. Meanwhile, Williamson is sitting around and barely scoring any points at all. And he’s definitely not getting any assists. Voters remember those things when it’s time for them to go their local polling place and fill out their NBA awards ballot.
I don’t think anything Morant does this year will top his performance from last game in terms of raw, unbridled fun-ness, but this one isn’t so bad either. It’s got more points, it’s got a really fancy behind-the-back move, it’s got a dunk, what more do you really need? Oh yeah, and it’s got Doris Burke getting suspicious excited for him. I know you guys are into that.