LThe NBA published the latest update on the race for the MVP of the 2021-2022 season on January 8. In first place was Giannis Antetokounmpo (28 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, eighth best balance in the NBA with the Bucks). Kevin Durant (30 points and eight rebounds; sixth in the league) and Nikola Jokic (25.7 and 14.2 average for the Nuggets that are fourteenth in the league) complete the podium in a list in which to find Ja Morant we have to go down to the tenth position.
The base has become the fashion star in the NBA. However, it seems that it has not yet gained the necessary recognition from the league. Neither his spectacular nature nor his leadership on the court, which is reflected in the 10 consecutive victories that the Memphis team has signed, seem sufficient guarantee. A streak that had never been seen in Tennessee and that is largely the fault of a player who has not stopped growing since he arrived in the NBA and who in each game makes good the motto under which his father raised him : “Whatever you measure, you will never be below anyone.”
Not even a Stephen Curry that Morant has also submitted in this spectacular streak of Grizzlies who have become the great sensation of the season as they have shown in the last game against the Warriors (116-108). A clash in which the point guard was the game’s top scorer with 29 points, in addition to capturing five rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
I bet you now we have the respect of the rest of the league
“I bet that now we do have the respect of the rest of the league,” assured Morant (24.5 points and 6.7 assists on average this season) after adding the Warriors to a list of victims in which teams also appear. like the Suns (best team in the NBA) or the Nets. Teams with more tradition and more names that have ended up succumbing to the brilliance of the new star who is fighting to earn the respect and recognition he deserves from the NBA itself.
Serge Ibaka was the only national representative on court on the last day of the NBA, after Santi Aldama and Willy Hernangmez ran out of minutes in their respective wins against the Warriors and Timberwolves. For his part, the pvot of Congolese origin and Spanish passport was the protagonist in the victory of the Los Angeles Clippers against the Denver Nuggets (87-85). Ibaka, who has passed Moses Malone on the list of top shot-stoppers in NBA history, came off the bench to play 22 minutes in which he scored four points (two of seven shooting from the field), grabbed nine rebounds, a ball and put a stopper.
How many times will the Lakers’ offices look at the Wizards’ stats throughout this season? And how many times will they repent? Kyle Kuzma seems determined that they be the maximum possible. Especially being in the last games. The Michigan power forward is experiencing one of the best moments of the season and certified it again against the Thunder (122-118 for Washington) with 29 points (23 on average in the last eight games) with 12 of 17 shots field.
The Detroit Pistons are experiencing a real roller coaster ride this season and after a major surprise such as the victory against the Jazz less than 24 hours ago, they have now starred in a resounding blow against the Bulls. Not so much because of the defeat, acceptable, but because of the image and the result, being overwhelmed by the Illinois team by a difference of 46 points (133-87). To forget.
RESULTS OF THE NBA DAY
- Wizards 122-118 Thunder
- Raptors 95-99 Suns
- Grizzlies 116-109 Warriors
- Pelicans 128-125 Timberwolves
- Bulls 133-87 Pistons
- Clippers 87-85 Nuggets
The Phoenix Suns have regained the NBA throne in that relay race that they seem to be starring in with the Golden State Warriors. They have achieved it after beating the Toronto Raptors (95-99) in a game dominated from start to finish by the hand of Chris Paul with 15 points, 12 assists and five steals.
