In third season, Grizzlies’ Ja Morant transforming into a star NBA point guard in real time
Memphis’ Ja Morant made a floater in the lane against Charlotte early in the first quarter last week.
And then another and another and another on his way to a team-high 32 points, his fifth games with at least 30 this season.
The floater is a difficult shot, requiring ball control, touch and unusual arc to get the shot over defenders and through the hoop.
“Schematically you want to encourage certain types of shots,” Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. said. “He’s making them. It’s a little scary when you think about his ability to finish.”
The transformation from good young point guard to great young point guard is happening in real time for Morant this season.
DWYANE WADE Q&A: Three-time NBA champ settles into post-NBA life, leaving D-Wade and Flash behind
DURANT RETURNS TO OKC: The ice is slowly melting with the former Thunder star
With a small increase in minutes but a heavier offensive load that includes more shots per game, Morant averages 25.9 points (six more than last season) and is shooting 49.3% from the field (more than four percentage points better than last season), 38.2% on 3-pointers (eight percentage points better than last season) and 77.5% from free throw line (five percentage points above last season).
Morant also averages 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals.
“Experience is the No. 1 factor,” Morant told USA TODAY Sports. “Just playing a lot of and seeing different coverages. Once I see how the defense is playing me, I know how to attack and where I can get my shots and where the team can get our shots.
“That works into our game plan and I just execute it on the floor. Having a couple of years under my belt has allowed me to be better this season which allowed me to start off hot.”
If those averages remain about the same and the Grizzlies continue to improve, Morant will be in position to make his first All-Star…
Source : yahoo
