Stephen A. Smith believes Ja Morant is the biggest box office star: “He’s AI 2.0 and I covered AI”
Ja Morant has drawn comparisons to the legendary Allen Iverson as the NBA's biggest box-office star. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith issued this statement about the Memphis Grizzlies superstar on the sports debate show "First Take."
Smith is big on Morant and his stock and believes he leads the NBA in that regard. Here's what the veteran TV analyst said:
"Ja Morant is something spectacular. He's not good. He's not just great. He's spectacular! You walk through the turnstiles to see this brother play. He's AI [Allen Iverson] 2.0, and I've covered AI."
Morant has cut an influential figure since last season, as he led the Memphis Grizzlies to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. He won the Most Improved Player of the Year award but was also in the MVP conversation for his exploits.
The former No. 2 pick has continued to play like a superstar this year, marginally improving his numbers to 27.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 7.8 APG. Tapping into his potential as a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate over the last year, Morant has improved his stock as one of the league's most prominent box-office players.
His explosiveness, ball-handling, agility, and athleticism make him stand out from the guards his size. Young players from all around have been keenly following him, which isn't the case with every budding superstar in the league.
Stephen A. Smith is known to have some debatable takes, but this one seems bang on and is unlikely to be questioned by the majority of NBA fans.
Also read: Ja Morant is daring to establish his name amongst top players in unchartered area for small guards: "Motherf**kers can’t stay in front of me”
Stephen A. Smith warns Ja Morant to be careful about hurting himself
Stephen A. Smith gave Ja Morant his flowers as the league's biggest box-office star. However, Smith highlighted that Morant's athleticism and aggressiveness, which make him a box-office player, are also worrying factors. Here's what Smith said about this on "First Take":
"The same thing that makes him [Morant] box-office is the same thing that makes you cringe. He's so athletic, he's so aggressive and volatile, you're worried about him getting hurt."
Smith has some genuine concerns, which seem legitimate. Guards that size normally aren't as aggressive or high-flying as Morant. He has survived many injury scares over his young career due to that.
As a bonafide superstar, there are some limitations Morant will have to abide by to remain available for his team when it matters the most. The Grizzlies' hopes of competing in an NBA Finals series depend on Morant's presence, so he will have to be careful about his body and conditioning moving forward.
Also read: Watch: Ja Morant hits an unreal buzzer-beater at the end of halftime during the Grizzlies-Spurs game