As breathless as Grizzlies rookie phenom Ja Morant has left us over the past two weeks, fans were hoping he would put a cherry on his electrifying season by dominating the NBA Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend 2020 in Chicago.
He almost certainly will be there. But he won’t be dunking, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. Chris Haynes reports the following:
Memphis Grizzlies standout rookie Ja Morant has decided not to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago next month, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Maintaining good health for the duration of the season is his main priority, sources said.
Morant, the No. 2 overall pick, has been cautious in his recovery from back spasms that occurred as a result of crashing into a baseline camera operator in November.
It’s disappointing, but it makes some sense. And Grizzlies fans won’t begrudge the guy because:
-
-
-
- Fans would rather see him and the Grizzlies in the playoffs than a stupid dunk contest anyway; and
- He gave us this:
-
-
And this:
And this:
So continue to enjoy the in-game dunks . . . you know they’re coming. And if we’re really lucky, we may get Ja vs. New Orleans’ Zion Williamson next February!
GRIND ON . . .
