NBA Executive: “I don’t think Ja Morant is as good as public perception”

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 08: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on March 08, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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)

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the most pleasant surprises of this NBA season. And in tandem, so has the emergence of superstar point guard Ja Morant.

In just his third year in the league, Morant was an All-Star starter, is leading his team to a top seed in the Western Conference, and will undoubtedly be receiving some MVP votes at the end of the year.

With his entertaining playstyle and unwavering desire to win, it’s hard not to see what Morant has been doing as anything other than greatness. Well, apparently, not everyone feels that way.

NBA Executive: “I don’t think Ja Morant is as good as public perception”

ESPN recently ran a survey involving six of the top young point guards in the NBA. The list included Morant, Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, and Darius Garland.

While Doncic finished first in the poll, Morant slid in at second on the list, and even received some first-place votes of his own. That being said, two executives had Morant at third, and one even placed him as low as fourth.

One anonymous executive went on to discuss how Morant might not be as good as public perception makes him out to be. (H/T Bleacher Report)

“It’s weird to say this, but I don’t think [Morant] is quite as good as his public perception. If you put Shai on that Memphis team, he could potentially be doing a lot of the same things.”

The argument being made is that Morant is in a better situation than most of the other players on this list, and a lot of his success could simply just be a product of that.

Gilgeous-Alexander is on a rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder team that is prioritizing draft picks, while Morant is on a Grizzlies squad filled with young talent and some gritty veterans, too.

This take sounds completely crazy. Morant’s statistical numbers are incredible, and the fact that his team is winning games has to count for something. Sure, he has great teammates around him, but that shouldn’t take away from how incredible he’s been, either.

What do you think about Morant? What about the statement made by this anonymous NBA executive? Is Morant all he’s hyped up to be?