"Ja Morant is on your neck like a mosquito bite at a Texas barbecue" - Kendrick Perkins admires defensive dominance by Ja Morant, titles him as 'Gangsta 12' following his season opening performance

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies kicked off their season with a 115-112 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. Morant played great, finishing with 34 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a game-changing block.

Former NBA champion and analyst Kendrick Perkins believes Morant has put the league on notice that his time as a superstar has arrived.

On "NBA Today," Perkins said:

"G 12 in the building. Ja Morant. To all players in the NBA, and I'm talking to Giannis, I'm talking to Steph Curry, I'm talking to Jokic, Joel Embiid, KD, LeBron James, Ja Morant is on your neck like a mosquito bite at a Texas barbecue.

"He was fantastic. He talking that talk, and he's walking that walk. I'm not just talking about what he's doing on the offensive end. Yes, we know he can score with the best of them in the game today. Yes, we know his playmaking ability."

Perkins continued:

"The thing I talk about the most is G 12, when it matters the most, the gangsta. The G stands for 'Gangsta'. Getting those timely stops, getting those blocks, the tenacity. G 12 Ja Morant was in the building."

​

Memphis Grizzlies

@memgrizz

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES BASKETBALLLLLLLLL

1338

291

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES BASKETBALLLLLLLLL https://t.co/PnuCbC8CxA

Morant continues to take strides towards becoming the one of the best players in the league.

Watch Kendrick Perkins discuss Morant's season-opening performance below:

NBA on ESPN

@ESPNNBA

.@KendrickPerkins is putting NBA superstars on notice on behalf of 🗣️

321

42

.@KendrickPerkins is putting NBA superstars on notice on behalf of 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 🗣️ https://t.co/NAdnDdHh8I

Can Ja Morant and the Grizzlies make a deep postseason run?

After failing to reach the postseason as a rookie, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the playoffs in the past two seasons. Finishing with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season, Morant looks ready to get to the next level.

While the Western Conference is incredibly tough this season, the Grizzlies will be in the mix if Morant is in this form.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke are also talented who are developing quickly. While the Grizzlies should make the postseason for the third straight season, it might be difficult for them to come out of the West this season. However, with time on their side, the Grizzlies core could be contending in the Western Conference for many years.

​