The Memphis Grizzlies are on a four-game losing streak after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-103 on Wednesday night. This loss comes after a tough home stand, where they went 1-4.
The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last nine games, dropping them to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 38-24 record.
Ja Morant candidly expressed his frustration with his performance in his return game against the Thunder, conceding that he probably shouldn’t have played due to health concerns. However, he also seemed resigned to the fact that his injuries have been an ongoing issue all season, and his focus remains on securing wins despite these challenges. Morant’s lack of availability has been a persistent concern, and his inability to play more than five consecutive games remains an issue.
Every statement made by the 25-year-old will be subject to intense examination and analysis.
However, the message conveyed in response to adversity is crucial.
“Just stay strong, stay with it,” Morant said in the locker room after the loss against OKC. “It’s a long season — we’ve got a couple more games left. Just lock in. Get guys back healthy and go back to playing our basketball.”
He went on to say, “We’ve been through the whole season together. Ups and downs, hard practices, traveling on the road, fatigue. But, we always seem to respond. So it’s no different from here.”
His parting message amidst the team’s current challenges, “Just continue to play with that energy and effort and continue to have your brothers’ back and trust in each other. That’s pretty much it.”
A pivotal moment from the iconic movie Remember the Titans features a tense confrontation between team captain Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell, both standout players. Gerry criticizes Julius for having the worst attitude he’s ever encountered. Julius retaliates with a sharp and piercing remark, “Attitude reflects leadership, captain,” implying that Gerry’s lack of accountability as a leader was the root cause of the team’s problems.
Memphis will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain that could have him out weeks. But the odds are in the Grizzlies’ favor with a focused Morant.
Through 38 appearances, Morant is averaging 20.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Make no mistake about it, Morant is still viewed as one of the NBA’s elite players, showcasing extraordinary skill and ability.
His presence on the court greatly improves the team’s performance, making them a more formidable team when he plays.
At this stage in the season, he just has to remind us who he is. Recently, Morant said his coach and teammates remind them to have positive body language, even when things are tough, which can be hard for a competitor like him.
After the overtime against the Phoenix on February 23rd, Morant disclosed that Desmond Bane’s vocal encouragement reminded him that his performance is the catalyst for the team’s energy and momentum, and urged him to simply be himself and play his natural game.
With 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Grizzlies face a critical stretch that will determine their playoff fate. To achieve a deep postseason run, as many fans relish, that leadership starts with Ja Morant. So the team needs Ja to be Ja.
