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Russell Westbrook is one of the most unique players the NBA has had throughout its rich history. He's achieved nearly everything you'd hope for in a career, save for an NBA title. But he'll remain celebrated long after his retirement whether or not he wins one. Ja Morant is still at the infancy stage of his career. He hasn't even played two full seasons yet in the NBA and some would argue that he even regressed in his sophomore season.
But watching him in the playoffs, you can't help but see some tinges of Russell Westbrook's game. The ferocity at which they both attack the rim. The mind-bending speed that they both use as a one-man fastbreak. Their deafeningly loud games that they display on the court, making it impossible not to notice them when they impose their will on an opponent.
Ja Morant: The Evolutionary Russell Westbrook
While Russell Westbrook and Ja Morant do share some similarities, they're clearly different players. But I'd argue that if the Ja Morant we've seen in the postseason is here to stay, he could be everything that we had hoped from Russell Westbrook. Obviously, Westbrook would have his advantages over Morant in certain areas. But just like in NBA 2k, the allocation of skills Morant might be the perfect blend to reach heights Westbrook never did.
Here are three (3) ways Ja Morant could be Russell Westbrook's best self.
Shotmaking Ability
Russell Westbrook has never had problems scoring the basketball. To even compare Ja Morant to him at this point in his career is a little bit disrespectful. Ja Morant doesn't even score above 20 points just yet, averaging a solid 19.1 per game on 44.9% field goal shooting.
But circle back to 2010, to Westbrook's own sophomore year and you'll realize just how far ahead Morant is. At the same age-21 season, Westbrook averaged just 16.1 points per game, on a much worse 41.8% shooting clip. At this point in their careers, Morant is already more advanced in that department. He's even playing as the primary hub, drawing more defensive attention compared to Westbrook who played off Kevin Durant.
But what could elevate Morant over Westbrook is his ability to generate points in the half-court. This talent was on full display during his record-shattering performance against the Utah Jazz in Game 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGtbmjdeg-E
What stands out through Morant's two playoff games against the Jazz, a downright scary defensive team, is how Morant has generated his offense. Like Westbrook, most of his action is at the rim thus far, and when Morant gets to the cup, it's been curtains.
Ja Morant is an absurd 12-for-14 on attempts at the rim through Games 1 and 2, extra impressive given that it's against a team boasting former DPOY Rudy Gobert. But the Grizzlies star has sneakily been finding offense via the in between game. Morant is a stellar 12-for-25 from the midrange through two, nearly 50% from the field.
Now obviously, a two game sample size is not reliable. But Morant has boasted a pretty solid 43.2% shooting clip from 10-14 feet during the regular season on over a hundred attempts.
The midrange game is in fact not dead. It's just exclusively being utilized by star players who are extra efficient on those shots, like Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard. If Morant can add that as a staple to his game, he'll own a dimension Westbrook never truly owned throughout his career.
Aggression
Russell Westbrook seems to always play angry. This has been an integral part of his on-court persona, as someone who goes all-out 100% of the time. But while Ja has that same fire, he seems to know exactly when to keep calm and when to let loose.
Westbrook's fire obviously gives him certain advantages over Morant. During his prime years, he was hyper-aggressive on the defensive end. His steal totals, which always hovered close to two per game, are something Morant may never reach. Westbrook also grabs rebounds at a pace Morant will never even sniff. His style of play has also allowed him to take over games and wreak havoc in a shove-down-your-throat manner that downright suffocates an opponent.
But while those things do have their pros, Morant's more flame-on, flame-off approach could allow him to be more efficient in his decision-making. Sure, he might miss a few seams that Westbrook might have otherwise found, but he could also save himself and his team from some costly mistakes from being overly aggressive at the wrong time. To a lesser extent, Morant has the athleticism and the fire that Westbrook has, but he might just be a bit better in taming it.
Clutch Gene
Combining the previous two, Ja Morant could ultimately find success where Russell Westbrook has most been ridiculed: In the clutch. The Ringer's Bill Simmons often brings up how Russell Westbrook is one of the greatest 46-minute players of all-time. He could dominate a contest for the entire game, but might make some crucial errors or disappear offensively during the final two minutes.
This could be a symptom of both his lack of go-to shotmaking in the half-court and the all-out drive he has as a player. Ja Morant has already proven in just a handful of postseason contests that he can rise to the occasion when the team needs him. Nothing best exemplifies all the points I've than his game-sealing dagger against the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament. Ja Morant never got too antsy, remained in-control of his handle, and utilized his in-between game to perfection. As good as Russell Westbrook is, it's hard to imagine him making this play.
With the advantages in both half-court offense and decision-making ability, Ja Morant could very well reach heights Russell Westbrook never could. The Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors will be the first to tell you it's possible.
