Colin Cowherd: “You’re an NBA GM… Ja Morant or Zion, who do you take the next 10 years?”
Ric Bucher: “I said it last summer that I would have built around Ja Morant. To a certain extent I’ve already been proven right… Zion is going to be an uber-productive player, but is he going to be a ‘Winner’?? Ja Morant has made the Grizzlies a playoff team. What Zion is doing is complementing and creating solidarity among that team, but is he really the driving force of that team? I’m not ready to say that. Ja Morant is the driving force of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were not supposed to be good enough to win now and they are – and you know why?? CAUSE OF THAT GUY, and another reason I would have rather built around Ja than Zion.” (Full Video Above)
Listen to NBA insider Ric Bucher join The Herd to explain to Colin Cowherd why he thinks Memphis Grizzlies rookie point guard Ja Morant, should have been the number one overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft ahead of Duke phenom Zion Williamson.
Even though Zion is having one of the most efficient seasons in the league in limited playing time, averaging 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in only 27.4 minutes, the New Orleans Pelicans are 9 games under .500 with a talented core of players that features All-Stars Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday, and talented point guard Lonzo Ball.
Morant’s Grizzlies are one of the league’s biggest surprises, shockingly sitting at 28-26 despite having one of the NBA’s weakest rosters.
Morant is leading the Grizzlies in scoring and assists, averaging 17.6 points and 7.1 assists.
Check out the video above as Bucher explains why Ja should have been the no. 1 pick and not Zion.