Ja Morant poses never-seen threat to Golden State Warriors
By Tony Pesta
The Golden State Warriors have accepted the challenge of defending some unique stars throughout the years. Dazzling shot creators like James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard as well as otherworldy superstars such as Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
Yet, they’ve never seen a player like Ja Morant before.
Ja is a lightning bolt in human form, posing a combination of speed and agility the Warriors have never had to contain.
The 22-year-old guard scored 47 points in a Game 2 victory over Golden State, the second-most points ever scored in a playoff game against the Warriors. LeBron James set the record in 2018 with 51 points in a losing effort.
The Golden State Warriors have never had to contain a talent like Ja Morant. Here is how the blazing quick guard has posed a unique threat.
Three specific plays jump out when thinking about how defending Ja is uncharted territory for the Warriors.
Firstly, a transition play in which Klay Thompson, one of the league’s most versatile defenders, made the business decision to step out of the way of a guard who stands at just 6’3″, 174 pounds. But, don’t blame Klay just yet, Morant threw down a breathtaking two-hand dunk at the expense of Klay’s ego.
When’s the last time Thompson, or anyone on the Warriors, ducked out of the way of a rampaging point guard in transition?
The second play that comes to mind is later in the fourth quarter when Morant burned rubber on the way into the paint before delivering an ankle-shattering half-spin that sent Jordan Poole to the floor as Morant’s floater sunk the bottom of the net.
Morant’s speed is one thing — but his body control is another. He might have the best full-speed handles in league history with an unprecedented ability to maintain control despite operating at full throttle.
This brings us to our last play. Prepared to play the free throw game with a three-point lead, Memphis tossed the ball to Ja in the backcourt — where Andrew Wiggins had the daunting task of fouling Morant in open space.
Morant, once again, executed brutal crossover moves at rapid speed to get Wiggins off balance. Ja only burned a few seconds off the clock that ultimately would not have mattered — but this was the moment when everyone watching realized the Warriors are taking on a brand new challenge.
How do you contain the reincarnation of Derrick Rose? Well, typically you would sag off and force him to beat you from deep.
Thus far, this strategy has not worked. A career 32% 3-point shooter, Morant has miraculously drilled 9-of-23 (39%) of his attempts versus Golden State in two games.
This efficiency from deep probably won’t last. And when it fades, the Warriors will have an easier time containing Morant’s drives. Nevertheless, a unique challenge has emerged for the Dubs with their lead perimeter defender, Gary Payton II, likely done for the series.