Skip Bayless likes Memphis Grizzlies prospects as Ja Morant prepares to return: "This team is flat-out, wall-to-wall loaded"
Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless expects the Memphis Grizzlies to be dominant, with superstar Ja Morant set to return. Morant served an eight-game suspension due to off-court misconduct. He rejoined the team on the sidelines in their 112-108 home win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
Morant was ruled out of the game, citing a lack of reconditioning after a 10-day absence. The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year will return to the lineup against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
The Grizzlies went 6-3 in his absence. Many felt Memphis wouldn't make an impactful run following Morant's indefinite suspension, but his impending return and the team's recent form have squashed those concerns.
Bayless was among those excited ahead of Morant joining the lineup and the Grizzlies' prospects moving forward. Here's what the veteran TV analyst said on Fox Sports' "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" show about this:
"He's [Ja Morant] back, and this team is flat out, wall-to-wall loaded. In his absence, new players rose and shone... What's not to like about Memphis right now?"
The Memphis Grizzlies showcased their depth in Ja Morant's absence to post a winning record while he was on the sidelines. The Grizzlies have had eight players, averaging nearly 10 points per game over their last nine games. During this stretch, they were among the top 10 teams in offensive, defensive and net ratings.
A superstar's return always makes any team a lot better than they already are, and that's what Bayless and Memphis fans expect. Morant will also be motivated to do well after being part of so many controversies over the past month.
Ja Morant and Memphis Grizzlies have an excellent chance to make a deep playoff push
The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. They also have a great balance on both ends of the court. The Grizzlies are also young, giving them a pace advantage over most contenders in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies are on course to finish as the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, giving them significant homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Their superstar Ja Morant will return to the lineup in better condition after his recent nine-game absence.
He can use the last 11 games of the season to ramp up and find his rhythm entering the playoffs. It bodes well for the Grizzlies, who saw their superstar go down with an injury during their conference semis loss to eventual champions the Golden State Warriors.
The Grizzlies have the Dubs a run for their money, even recording a 39-point win in Game 5 without Morant. Memphis may face the Warriors again, but the defending champions are far from the elite team they were last year. In terms of regular season success, only the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings match up well with Memphis.
While the Nuggets haven't had much success in the postseason, the Kings are inexperienced. These factors give the Grizzlies the upper hand over most, if not all, teams in the West this year.