Ja Morant shares why he’s eager to play against Golden State Warriors on Christmas day: "We always want to get our lick back"
Ja Morant and the grizzlies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Memphis Grizzlies are known to exude confidence and to not back down to any challenges. In the next few days, they'll get a chance to avenge themselves to the Golden State Warriors, the team that eliminated them in last year's playoffs.
ESPN's Malika Andrews had a chance to sit down and interview one of the brightest young stars in the league. Morant shared with Andrews why he's hopeful going against the Warriors on Christmas Day:
"Obviously, it's the team that kicked us out of the playoffs, so, you know, we always want to get our lick back. Everybody knows what Golden State means to the game of basketball, you know.
"Obviously, it's the team that kicked us out of the playoffs, so you know, we always want to get our lick back. ... They're the defending champs. So, regardless of their record, they're still one of the top teams in this league."
@jamorant on facing the Warriors Christmas day. https://t.co/ACZsCaGCQo
"They're the defending champs. So, regardless of their record, they're still one of the top teams in this league."
The matchup between the two teams is bound to be entertaining and competitive. However, the Warriors (15-18) are without their leader, Steph Curry, who will miss at least two weeks due to a labral injury to his left shoulder. Still, Golden State has Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson to do a bit of the heavy lifting until his return.
Also read: NBA official who ejected Ja Morant justifies his call: "Making a comment questioning the integrity of the officials"
Ja Morant doesn't see any threat in the West
Taken from the same interview, Ja Morant once again displayed his confidence in his talents. When asked which teams he see as a threat, Morant only named the Boston Celtics (22-10). ESPN's Malika Andrews followed that response by asking which teams in the West concern him, but he only sees his Grizzlies (19-11) as the only threat in the conference.
"Nah. I'm fine in the West," Morant said.
Malika Andrews: "Who do you look at around the league as you're studying and say, 'We're gonna have to run through them?'"
Ja Morant: "Celtics"
Malik Andrews: "No one in the West."
Ja Morant: "Nah. I'm fine in the West."
(h/t @_Talkin_NBA )
https://t.co/Y9Iy0NfmnZ
However, one analyst thinks that the dynnamic star is being too cocky. Shannon Sharpe didn't enjoy the comments made by the Grizzlies guard. Sharpe went on air to criticize Morant's comments about not being concerned with any other team in the West.
"Grizzlies do a lot of talking for a team that hasn’t won anything," Sharpe said. "Not just Ja, but all of them. Lot of yapping and a lot of yacking. What have they won? The last time the Grizz made a Western Conference finals, Ja Morant was 13.
Ja Morant says he’s “fine in the West” when asked which teams concern him:
“Grizzlies do a lot of talking for a team that hasn’t won anything. The last time the Grizz made a Western Conference Finals, Ja Morant was 13. Did I miss something?” — @ShannonSharpe https://t.co/g3AiWbZ5r6
"And he talking like they go to the Western Conference and go to the NBA Finals every year. What you mean you good? ... Did I miss something?"
While the confidence is impressive, Memphis hasn't won anything under Ja's leadership yet. Things could change, as things are starting to click for the young Grizzlies this season.
Also read: Stephen A. Smith believes Ja Morant is the biggest box office star: “He’s AI 2.0 and I covered AI”