It's also now used to burn time on the game clock when protecting a lead. The settlement is subject to court approval, but it is rare that it is not granted in the case of a settlement. Unsurprisingly, the shorthanded Lakers struggled at the hands of the Grizzlies, and it resulted in a 121-109 win for the home team. On any given weekend at a lounge, bar or gathering in Memphis, a room of people could end up rapping in unison:Johnny did these teeth, whole lotta cheese for these VVS," a nod tothe song "Tick"by Memphis rapper Big Homiie G. Morant himself referenced the line in an Instagram post that showed off his smile from the All-Star Game press conference. Lauri Markkanen had 28 points and nine rebounds for Utah. After seeing the Portland Trail Blazers get stuck in an elevator this week, what five people (that you dont know personally) would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with? The Grizzlies have taken a big enough leap this season to not just make the playoffs, but to potentially do so with a Game 1 in Memphis. Between each of these drills, Ja was asked to jump on tractor tires for 25 times. "If you're winning, it's kind of a loophole in the rules," Jones says. Bryant had said after the first verdict she would donate the money to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, although its unclear if she will do this with this second part of the settlement. Why is it becoming so common, and why is Morant so obsessed with it? UPDATE: Ja Morant has returned to the team's bench. This young lad is one of the youngest players in the NBA, and if he keeps doing what he is doing and gets better, he will be here for over a decade or two. "They got maybe an extra four, five seconds in the backcourt before they touched the ball, and then they had a little extra time to operate.". There are questions about what Phoenix will look like: Can they defend well enough to win? I dont know, and hopefully I can meet all these people in a non-elevator disaster scenario so I never have to find out. O.G. Morant has won back-to-back Western Conference Player of the Week awards, and he's leading the Grizzlies (28-14) through a franchise record nine-game winning streak. Gordon barreled through Williams so hard that he was called for a flagrant. Ja Morant, on the other hand, is a bit more under the radar. Ja Morant is a well-known player in the NBA league and is primarily known for that crazy bounce. Ja Morant can fly in the court, man, and he can fly so high, and he has to train hard for that. This young lad is one of the youngest players in the NBA, and if he keeps doing what he is doing and gets better, he will be here for over a decade or two. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Harrison Barnes scored 29 points and Sacramento beat Oklahoma City for its fourth consecutive victory. "They're like, 'Damn, I don't really want to run back up the court to make them pick the ball up,' or they don't know that [Ja will] really let the clock keep going. And back. Still in uniform. The Rockets dropped their 10th in a row. One of the most dominant centers in NBA history wanted as much time as possible to operate in the post, where he worked as the primary conduit for Boston's offense. But it sure seems like it. Phoenix's JaVale McGee and Dallas' Willie Cauley-Stein are two NBA players who have worn mouthpiece grills, since players cant wear actual grills during a game. For this reason, Morant is one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. ", Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights. "Drippy," Morant says. The Grizzlies don't discuss this in practice or plan these plays in advance. With the player most capable of staring down a star and going hoop-for-hoop with one of the NBAs best unavailable, the Lakers couldnt do enough against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 121-109 to stop a three-game winning streak. I feel like, in this situation, it would come down to me or him, and hes taller than me. Also, theres the difference between in game vertical and testing vertical. How quickly you go up, how long you hang, how much control you have while up there are just a few factors. They're winning, why's he doing this?' Nuggets coaches called for Gordon to force Tatum to pick the ball up. https://www.insider.com/video-ja-morant-dunk-easy-to-poster-guard-2022-4 Morant finished with 23 points and 10 assists, while Bane scored 25, leading the Grizzlies to a 130-112 win, their ninth victory in a row. Bane swishes a trailer 3 -- wide open because James is slow getting back in transition -- and lets the all-time great know about it: These high-flying and in-everyone's-face Grizzlies are a tight-knit, young team that is ruffling the feathers of the NBA's old guard. 226K subscribers. So Ja Morant is still focusing on the plyometrics workouts that will help him stay light and fly high on the court. Simmons hits him in the arm. Conventional wisdom was that Memphis would need to undergo a long rebuild after the Grit 'n Grind era ended in June 2019 with Mike Conley's trade to the Utah Jazz, but the Grizzlies qualified for the Western Conference play-in series in Morant's rookie season, when he scored 35 points in a thrilling loss to Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers. "It's just a smart play to waste time," says Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks. This is the secret history -- and the secret value -- of walking the dog in the NBA. The highest NBA jumpers can all do this, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Zion Williamson and Vince Carter. No way this doesnt come up again during the NBA playoffs. The Raptors will sign free agent Will Barton for the rest of the season, a story broken by both Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, and since confirmed by the Raptors. This allows him to bang and not be pushed around despite being much thinner than most players in the league. DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points against his former team. Atlanta could have used those wasted seconds in the game's final moments. "But at the end of a game on a final possession, if a team has four seconds as opposed to one second to get off a shot to win or tie a game? "We definitely feel like an AAU team more than whatever you want to call other teams," says Jackson, who has emerged as an All-Defensive candidate. Anunoby added 17 points and Jakob Poeltl had 14 to help the Raptors win their fourth straight at home. So now lets make a diet for you to help you get fitness like Ja Morant. For those who havent been following non-SEC basketball, Zion Williamson of Duke is an absolute machine (at least until his shoe blew out on national television) and has been called the next LeBron, which might be premature, to say the least. I aint seen nothing like that one. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. Harris has been by his side for many of those meetings, including as Morant's driver in 2020. Steven Adams, the 28-year-old big man from New Zealand whose off-court footwear collection consists solely of flip-flops, has fit in Memphis since arriving in an offseason trade, providing the Grizzlies toughness, savvy and comedic relief. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 28 points and 19 rebounds. Dario Saric, a reserve forward/center the Thunder acquired in a trade with Phoenix before the All-Star break, had a season-high 21 points. Bane barks back at James before Jackson jovially puts his hands on his teammate's shoulders and escorts him away from the lecturing legend. Doug McDermott added 19 points for the Spurs, Jeremy Sochan had 13 and Devonte Graham 12. So, it begs the question: Are the Grizzlies the iciest team in the league? DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points against his former team. Rough translation: a supreme level of swagger, a palpable confidence in the way the Grizzlies carry themselves, how the bench celebrates by dancing, laughing and falling over one another, the constant chatter coming from Memphis players' mouths. Ja Morant had already blessed the NBA evening with an all-time highlight once his astounding, above-the-box chasedown block on Bennedict Mathurin was ruled legal. Morant makes both free throws. In the late 70s and 80s, the dog-walking thread mostly dies. A player who makes a single free-throw is typically adding around 0.5% win probability; this season alone, there have already been 40 fourth-quarter dog walks that earned the utilizing team at least 0.5% of additional win equity. Mikal Bridges led Brooklyn with 31 points. That's Simmons' sixth; he's out of the game. Thats not as effective or useful unless youre joining a Slam Dunk Contest, right? He declined to speak with ESPN for this story, but his teammates think it boils down to his speed and athleticism. Xavier Tillman finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane scored 16 points apiece. Also, my one-time bench press max is 200 pounds, so Id finish with a gentlemans zero reps in the 225-pound bench drill. Kevin Durant is expected to make his Phoenix Suns debut tomorrow in Charlotte. Ja Morant had already blessed the NBA evening with an all-time highlight once his astounding, above-the-box chasedown block on Bennedict Mathurin was ruled As the Grizzlies' lead swells to 17 early in the third quarter of the Jan. 9 game, the Lakers call timeout and Morant makes a detour to reply to a front-row fan who taunted him after a turnover the previous possession, several of his teammates strut and celebrate on the Crypto.com Arena court. I would say so, said Chance Harris, VIP manager for Diamond Boys and Johnny Dang & Co. They're definitely stomping on them as far as being the most glacierous team in the NBA.". That same flash is applied off the court, as well. Dang's other clientele includesBeyonc, Jay Z, Kanye West, Kodak Black, Quavo and more artists and celebrities. If they don't, great. Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN+ has to offer. Bron is a big-time competitor and Des is the same way. Ja Morant can fly in the court, man, and he can fly so high, and he has to train hard for that. Besides that, he has also incorporated certain lifting routines that focus on compounds exercises and functional workouts. The grill is comprised of high-end internally flaweddiamonds, handpicked and implemented by Dang. Thats not as effective in a very physical game like the NBA because you have to rely on more skill. "It's in our DNA," Bane says, "just being underdogs.". I loved it, because it just shows that no matter who it is, our guys don't back down.". In the past three seasons, per data provided to ESPN by NBA Advanced Stats, players are walking the dog more than ever in these types of crunch-time situations -- when leading by 3-15 points in the fourth quarter. "I'll never forget watching the game, and one of the commentators was talking so bad about it. Thunder rookie Jalen Williams matched a season high with 27 points. "We've got probably the most clutch performer in the game at our point guard position," Jackson said following last Wednesday's win over the San Antonio Spurs. Theres also the rumor or speculation that Ja Morant used to jump 800 times a day during his younger years. Memphis Grizzlies Xavier Tillman Sr. (2) defends against LosAngeles Lakers Anthony Davis in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Again, Im not sure what the actual number comes out or if it reached 800 jumps each session. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Keldon Johnson scored 25 points and San Antonio beat Utah to snap a 16-game losing streak. WebJa Morant, on the other hand, is a bit more under the radar. Just check out the crazy Ja Morant dunks hes been able to do. My favorite example here is Blake Griffin whos max vertical is 35.5 inches. Injured Ja Morant mocks Warriors' Steph Curry from the bench during Game 5 blowout win. "If we score with 36-37 seconds left, I always yell to my teammates, 'Pick up! Bryant testified during the previous trial that the news of the photos circulating added to her grief less than a month after the loss of her husband and daughter in that crash. His defender, Ben Simmons, suddenly closes on him and lunges at the ball, looking for a steal -- but he's too late. Instead, Morants jumping style is more wily. Memphis ranks second in the NBA in clutch winning percentage, going 16-7 in games that are within five points in the final five minutes or overtime. So Bane got an earful, which was fine with him. Update: If youve been watching the 2022 NBA season WebJa Morant (wrist) starting in Grizzlies' Tuesday lineup, Tyus Jones to bench . While some people may be confused by these expensive purchases, Cuban link chains, pendant necklaces,gold jewelry and diamond grillshave become big fashion statements. They were feeling awfully good about themselves 10 games into what ended up being a franchise-record 11-game winning streak, which featured victories over James' Lakers (twice), Paul's Suns, Kevin Durant's Brooklyn Nets and Stephen Curry's Warriors. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. Yes, Morant could use his speed to run circles around the all-Williamson team, but Team Zion (6-7, 275) could simply run the patented Virginia/Wisconsin pack-line defense and take their chances. It's really easy to stop! The Raptors waived Bo Cruz Juancho Hernangomez to create the roster spot. The Toronto Raptors wanted a little more depth at the two guard/wing spot for the rest of the season and have leaned into a guy that is proven offense to get it. Ja Morant shocks the world with most insane poster dunk of career vs Spurs . Ja Morant focuses a lot on how he eats; the young player knows that he cant let himself lose to keep up with the game. By adding Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns became instant contenders. Memphis built on that momentum by earning a playoff bid last season, punching their postseason ticket with a play-in win on the Warriors' home court, when Morant had another 35-point performance. - The Ringer NBA Sports Ja Morant Is the NBAs First-Week MVP. "That's your last time," James says to Bane, loud enough to be heard clearly on the local television broadcast. It's the other team not coming up to guard him.". Because on that big smile, attached to his teeth, was a glistening honeycomb diamond grill created by celebrity custom jeweler Johnny Dang. But Ja will really let the clock go until you make him pick the ball up.". Nobody's trying to win the verbal conversation right now of who we are in January. Breaking down stats and film on LA's difficulties, Brooklyn's upcoming stretch and this season's top late-game shooters. Sacramento 123, (at) Oklahoma City 117: Harrison Barnes scored 29 points and Sacramento beat Oklahoma City for its fourth consecutive victory. Instead it is a combination of the quality and quantity. You can be in dark, you can be in the light. As Morants scoring average (24.5 points) and his three-point accuracy (38.3%) continue to climb, it appears the 22-year-old may have sold himself short. Afterward, Morant explains that he was baiting Simmons, knowing he'd bite based on past experience. James has seen and heard enough, especially from Bane. That stretch showcased Memphis' depth and epitomized the team's ethos of exceeding expectations. Avery Bradley also hacks Morant, who still manages to almost get the and-1, as his floater hits back iron. Therefore, Ja Morants vertical jump secret is doing a lot of jumps every other day. As you would expect, hes an slightly below average 3 points shooter since hes able to dominate his defenders off the dribble and by jumping over them. That's your last time disrespecting me.". he says. That's what makes the game so great, it's not just a physical game, it's also a mental game. The first known example of this strategy came in the 2016-17 season: Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson burned over 20 seconds with under three minutes remaining while nursing a lead over the Nuggets. Ja Morant has a 44 inch vertical leap. It was good to get that win, Morant said. This is one of the key risks of walking the dog when the game is on the line. Ja Morant is not a guy doing standard bodybuilding workouts and getting an incredible physique. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, behind Zion. So, check it out this weekend and see which of your favorite SEC players get unfair dings to their draft stock because of a drill that doesnt directly translate to the field. 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