This season, the Grizzlies have outperformed expectations, advancing to the playoffs with a Second-place record in the West. In the first round of the series, the Grizzlies staged a reversal drama many times and successfully advanced to the Western Conference semifinals. When facing the Warriors, the Grizzlies also played very bloodily. Unfortunately, in the crucial Western Conference Semifinals G4, the Grizzlies led by 47 minutes before being overtaken by the Warriors in the final minute. In the end, the Grizzlies lost a good game and were won by the Warriors to win the series match point!
In the Western Conference Semifinals G4, Morant was absent due to injury, and originally thought it would be a big blow to the Grizzlies. However, Wu Mo Bear suppressed the Warriors, and the performance was still worth affirming. It was only when the Warriors reversed the score in the final stages of the game that the Grizzlies were confused and failed to regain the lead again. After the game, No Mo Bear also caused a heated discussion among fans, can it be so fierce without Morant? You know, the Grizzlies G3 lost to the Warriors by 30 points, if the No Mo Bears win the G4, wouldn't Morant be embarrassed?
In the regular season, Morant was absent for a while due to injury. But in Morant's absence, the bearless record is 20 wins and 5 losses, with a winning percentage of up to 80%. Even counting the Western Conference Semifinals G4 that lost to the Warriors this time, the win rate of No Mo Xiong can reach 76.9%. Not only that, but the No Mo Bear also ended the Suns' 9-game winning streak in the regular season. To be honest, it feels like there is more team cohesion. Of course, it's not that Morant isn't great, but it's that without Morant, the Grizzlies become more like a team.
Is Morant worth the top salary? This season is the third season of Morant's career, and he has improved every season, and has led the Grizzlies to two playoff appearances. In season one, Morant averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. In season 2, Morant averaged 19.1 points, 4 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. In his third season (season), Morant averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Judging from the performance of his career so far, Morant has basically locked in the maximum salary extension.
Morant is the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, next season is the final year of his rookie contract, and if the Grizzlies want to keep him, they will have to do something in the offseason. However, with no Bears playing such a beautiful record this season, will the Grizzlies give up Morant? One thing to say is that the Grizzlies, a small ball city, will not give up morant as a cash cow. After all, the Grizzlies need to have a good-looking star in charge, the home ticket revenue will be guaranteed, and it can also attract a larger fan base.
The NBA is a commercial league after all, and even if the record of no Mo Bear is gorgeous, the Grizzlies still need Morant to be the team's signature. However, when Morant played for the Grizzlies, there were often situations of playing giant planets, and some shooting choices were not very reasonable. If Morant can better connect the team's offense, then I believe the Grizzlies will be even stronger!