Ja Morant: 'I'm disrespectful just like they're disrespectful

Ja Morant: “I’m disrespectful just like they’re disrespectful. That’s why you see I threw that ball in the air. I asked for the ball. I know what we’re capable of … That’s our goal. Come in and win games on the road and have their fans go home mad.”
Source: Twitter @hoopshype

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Ja Morant last night:
16 PTS
10 REB
10 AST
It’s the first triple-double in @Memphis Grizzlies postseason history.
The Grizzlies became just the fifth team in NBA history to win a road playoff game in which they trailed by at least 15 points entering the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/q17lHpWJW1 – 9:41 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Jalen Brunson last night:
31 PTS
5 AST
12-22 FG
7-7 FT
Since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71, only two players have scored more points in their first three postseason starts:
101 – Ja Morant
99 – LeBron James
96 – Brunson pic.twitter.com/dpCynGK6Aj – 9:31 AM Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Ja Morant: “I’m disrespectful just like they’re disrespectful. That’s why you see I threw that ball in the air. I asked for the ball. I know what we’re capable of … That’s our goal. Come in and win games on the road and have their fans go home mad.” pic.twitter.com/teCGYU5pJ1 – 8:39 AM Fred Katz @FredKatz
The Grizzlies essentially overcame two 25-point deficits to win Game 3.
“There will probably be a lot of people drinking tonight with that ‘L,’” Ja Morant said.
Story here on Memphis giving Minnesotans a night to forget ($1/mo subscription offer inside): https://t.co/AOxzBJHHTz pic.twitter.com/Zieb6erSou – 1:44 AM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
In case Ja Morant needed any extra juice for Game 4, I give you Patrick Beverley and D’Angelo Russell talking postgame about Beverley’s matchup with Morant pic.twitter.com/81zRjXiOx1 – 1:18 AM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Believe it, Memphis fans, that happened.
Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke and Tyus Jones come up huge so that Ja Morant can get his wish to send the Wolves fans home mad.
“That’s why we are the deepest team in the league and so good,” Morant said. dailymemphian.com/section/sports… – 11:46 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Ja Morant was booed every time he touched the ball, so he made sure to enjoy the final seconds of the 26-point comeback win.
“I’m disrespectful just like they disrespectful.”
Story: commercialappeal.com/story/sports/n… – 11:42 PM Ja Morant @JaMorant
im like johnny cage .. you see my clan ain’t phased 🐻 – 11:20 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Before leaving his postgame presser, Ja Morant told Brandon Clarke to untuck his chain from inside his shirt so he could show people that the Grizzlies are the iciest team in the league.
“Pull your ice out, man!”
BC and Morant have both spent >30K on 💎
amp.commercialappeal.com/amp/7013911001 – 11:12 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
Tyus Jones said as a kid from Minnesota, you think and dream of moments like this, playoff basketball at the Target Center. He said he has worked hard to deliver in moments like this…
Ja Morant then responded after: “Point God. It’s his hood!” – 11:08 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
Ja Morant said it felt good to get a win in Minnesota in front of their fans. “I’m disrespectful just like they disrespectful…”
“That was our goal. Come in & win games on the road & have their fans go home mad. It’ll probably be a lot of people drinking tonight with that L…” – 11:03 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
“I’ve been saying all season about my teammates. They deserve a lot of more respect and recognition for what they do for us on the floor…”
“That’s why we’re really the deepest team in the league… we’re so good.”
-Ja Morant – 10:58 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
“The message was just continue to fight, go out and battle and we all know the game is never ove until zeros on the clock at the end.”
-Ja Morant – 10:52 PM Ja Morant @JaMorant
tell em again kaariJ 🗣 pic.twitter.com/b4t6yOSDlN – 10:51 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Tyus Jones was speaking about what it meant to come back and do this in the gym he played in during high school, then Ja Morant chimed in:
“This his hood” – 10:50 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant pulls Brandon Clarke’s chain out from his shirt:
“Pull your ice out man, there was a lot of talk in that game until that buzzer sounded. Pull that ice out.” – 10:49 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant:
“There’s probably gonna be a lot of (Minnesota) fans drinking tonight with that L.” – 10:46 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant on Tyus Jones back in Minnesota:
“This is his hood.” – 10:45 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
“I know he’ll be the first one to say, you know, he can play better. He was even saying that after the game…”
-Jenkins on Ja Morant – 10:28 PM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Grizzlies comeback takeaways:
– Ja Morant got to the line
– Brandon Clarke matched Minnesota’s early intensity
– KAT?????? – 10:26 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
“I know Ja Morant will be the first one to say that he can play better. He was even saying that in the locker room after the game.” — Taylor Jenkins – 10:25 PM Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
Yep @Ja Morant had an ugly shooting night. Body was all over the floor. Turnovers. But I swear I watched him never stop fighting & grinding for it in this Game 3. Kept attacking. Affected game in multiple ways outside points. Still had a triple double.Put pressure on the D. Heart! – 10:24 PM Memphis Grizzlies PR @GrizzliesPR
Tonight @Ja Morant recorded the first triple-double in @Memphis Grizzlies playoff history.
16 points
10 rebounds
10 assists pic.twitter.com/cbkm6UJkOM – 10:23 PM Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
Ja Morant just literally growled (like a dog) and told me “y’all hear that growling? We got some dogs over here! We ain’t got no chihuahuas, we been German Shepards!!”
From Memphis after Grizzlies defeat Timberwolves in a crazy Game 3 in Minny! – 10:10 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Ja Morant tonight:
16 PTS
10 REB
10 AST
The first triple-double in Grizzlies playoff history pic.twitter.com/QvgDVTCTHZ – 10:03 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant with a triple-double. And I promise you he would say he didn’t even play well tonight.
That type of player. – 10:02 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Tyus Jones out. Ja Morant in. – 9:47 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
That left-handed pass by Ja Morant to Desmond Bane in the corner might be the best pass this game. Somehow, we’re tied. – 9:39 PM Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
This is an important fourth quarter for Ja Morant win or lose. He’s gotta get comfortable with this Minnesota defense that is meeting him with extra bodies at the nail and the rim. “Drive through all three at blazing speeds” is insufficient. – 9:30 PM Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Man does Ja Morant hit the floor a ton.
My biggest concern with him moving forward is if his body can handle the pounding.
Reckless abandon when he attacks the rim – 9:30 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson are hurt after that sequence. Ja Morant is limping around and Jackson grabbing his arm.
When it rains it pours. – 9:27 PM Peter Edmiston @peteredmiston
Not a whole lot to add here. If Ja Morant plays like this, the Grizzlies will lose whatever game they play. Completely out of sorts. – 9:12 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Dillon Brooks, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are 4-for-18 at halftime with 11 combined points and the Grizzlies only trail by seven. – 8:48 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant took a knee to the nether regions. – 8:32 PM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
Let’s call a spade a spade: Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been awful in this first half. – 8:25 PM Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
Patrick Beverley: 10 pts on 4-7
Ja Morant: 3 pts on 1-3 – 8:22 PM Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
KAT was very excited on the bench that Pat Bev took it to Ja Morant on that last play. – 8:09 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Ja Morant not being able to contain Patrick Beverley is embarrassing. – 8:09 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
First quarter:
Timberwolves 39 Grizzlies 21
Timberwolves shooting 54.2% and holding Memphis to 29.2% shooting. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks each have two fouls. Ugly start for the Grizzlies. – 8:05 PM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
Minnesota came out blazing. Rotation is a little jumbled because Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks had to leave earlier than expected because of 2 fouls. D’Angelo Russell is hitting shots. Crowd is electric. And the Grizzlies trail 25-18. They’re weathering the storm. – 7:54 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Grizzlies sub patterns are thrown off with the foul trouble. Desmond Bane just exited and had to check back in with Dillon Brooks picking up his second foul. Ja Morant left the game about 3 minutes earlier than normal because of two fouls. – 7:51 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant out of the game in the first quarter with two fouls. – 7:49 PM Meghan Triplett @Meghan_Triplett
5 fouls already called on the Grizzlies.
Ja Morant has 2 fouls.
7 free throw attempts for Minnesota.
& we have barely played 6 minutes into the 1st qtr. – 7:47 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
2 fouls on Ja Morant with 7:40 left in the first quarter. Looks like Taylor Jenkins is trusting him and will keep him in. Morant usually plays about the first 10 minutes of the first quarter. – 7:45 PM Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
We might see a lot of Desmond Bane 3-point attempts this fame if they continue to double Ja Morant the way that they have. – 7:45 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
we’re not even three minutes into this game and Pat Bev has hit Ja Morant with the “too small” twice. pic.twitter.com/QfgYZ7LvGM – 7:43 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Ja Morant hearing loud boos when he touches the ball. Haven’t seen too much of that on the road until now – 7:35 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
reporter: “are you guys looking to steal one here?”
ja morant: “i’m looking to steal two. we got game three and four here, right? there go your answer right there.” – 3:36 PM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
Interesting comment from Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels while discussing how difficult it is to defend Ja Morant:
“It kind of seems like he’s as tall as us with just how high he jumps when he gets past you. So try to keep him in front. He jumps so high, it’s like he’s 6-10.” – 1:36 PM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
Ja Morant was asked about stealing one of two games in Minnesota to get back home court advantage. He said the Grizzlies want to win both.
Why Morant and the Grizzlies are hoping to send Minnesota fans home mad.
“That’s us. We like that.”
Story: commercialappeal.com/story/sports/n… – 1:15 PM Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
A very confident and comfortable Ja Morant after today’s shootaround, when asked if Grizzlies want to steal one in Minnesota like Minnesota did in Memphis.
“I’m looking to steal two. We got Game 3 and 4 here, right?” – 12:57 PM

More on this storyline

Damichael Cole: Ja Morant: “It’ll probably be a lot of people drinking tonight with that L.” -via Twitter @DamichaelC / April 22, 2022 Ja Morant: we in minnesota now 🙂 -via Twitter / April 22, 2022 You averaged 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in seven seasons with Sacramento after they drafted you with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. Would you want to see your No. 15 jersey retired there? DeMarcus Cousins: I put the time and work in. I hold many records there. I honestly think I’m the best player to ever come through Sacramento. And I stand on that, absolutely. -via Andscape / April 19, 2022