Ja Morant's leadership and spectacular talent have led the Memphis Grizzlies beyond their preseason expectations. They own the third-best record in the NBA and are in a position to land one of the highest playoff seedings in the top-heavy Western Conference.

Morant has burst onto the scene as a certified star, averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.Behind his fantastic scoring and playmaking, the Grizzlies have a top-five offense despite Morant being he only 20-point scorer on the roster. The Grizzlies, as one of the smaller markets in the league, are being led to glory by Morant and a band of other young studs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, similarly, led a small market team in the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in decades. Ahead of the All-Star Game, he heaped some massive praise onto Morant. Antetokounmpo asserted that he has gotten better every year and could lead the Grizzlies to a championship.

Memphis has the potential to compete for titles in the future. They are one of the youngest teams in the league and have other young players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane who could join Morant in future All-Star games. The front office also ahs the assets to make a huge splash in the offseason.

Morant is relishing in the moment of his first All-Star nomination. Few teams are better situated for the future than the Grizzlies and Morant is the ultimate reason why. He is one of the premier players in the game just three years into his career. Leading his team to the title like Antetokounmpo did will cement is legacy further.