Thunderous Intentions
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Week 1 NBA Power Ranking the roller coaster ride begins

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz talk after a game on October 23, 2019 (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Chris Paul #3 and Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz talk after a game on October 23, 2019 (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Power Ranking week 1
OKC Thunder Power Ranking week 1: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies plays defense against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Memphis Grizzlies

Offense: (100.0 ) – 25th
Defense: (107.7) –  20th
Net: (minus -7.7 ) – 25th

Games Week 1: (1-2)
Games Week 2 (2 games): Oct. 29 at Lakers |  Nov. 2 vs. Phoenix

While the Memphis Grizzlies will undoubtedly be at the bottom of the Western Conference ladder all season there is much to be excited about.

Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, Dillon Brooks, and Brandon Clarke form what looks like a solid quartet to build the next generation upon.

Morant, in particular, demonstrates prowess attacking the paint. His turnovers punctuate his status as a rookie and learning curve. Yet, the thought of how scary the guard will be as he adapts to the professional game via improving his stroke and gaining chemistry with his teammates is palpable. Glimpses of precisely how high the rookie’s ceiling is were shown in the victory over the Nets in which he held his own versus Kyrie Irving never seeming off-put by the challenge.

In that pivotal contest, the box score offers insight into Morant’s demeanor, talent, and character. Especially when it’s aligned to compare against Kyrie Irving:

Memphis Grizzlies (1-2) Table
Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi
Starters FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS +/-
Ja Morant 13 22 .591 1 2 .500 3 4 .750 4 9 1 1 6 30 +10

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/2/2019.

Brooklyn Nets (1-2) Table
Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi Basi
Starters FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS +/-
Kyrie Irving 11 27 .407 5 12 .417 10 11 .909 7 7 2 1 2 37 +6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/2/2019.

In spite of his youth, Morant was more efficient from the field and perimeter. Both players were effective in sharing the ball and helping with intangibles like steals and blocks.

The presence of mind Morant displays during the game’s most pivotal moments shine a light on his upside and lack of fear. He drives against a collapsing defense to tie the game.

The next possession he is the key defender on Kyrie Irving a player who has made more than his fair share of clutch time baskets:

It was the one block Morant got in the game but made at the most intense moment n the match. His I.Q. is obvious as he already seems to have figured out the balance of knowing when to score and when to pass. This was most clear in the game’s final possession as he drew two defenders to himself to allow Jae Crowder a wide-open shot which he hits to win the game.

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