Blazers HC On Ja Morant: “We Are Not Expecting Him To Lead This Team”

This offseason was a period of transformation for Ja Morant. After his time with the Memphis Grizzlies came to an end, Morant prepared to begin a new chapter in his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. While this hints at positive changes for the two-time All-Star, there may be some immediate challenges he could face.

Ja Morant made his preseason debut with the Blazers on Wednesday night, helping his team secure a 123-118 win over the Golden State Warriors. With a performance of eight points, five assists, and two steals in 19 minutes of action, Morant didn’t disappoint. However, this may inevitably be the role he must become accustomed to.

During his media availability before the game, Blazers head coach Micah Nori provided some insight on his expectations from Ja Morant this season. He shared:

“I think a lot of it’s just like how people treat you and how you interact with them. So, it was a blank slate like we treat everybody. So, coming in, there was no idea of who we thought we were getting. When I met him in South Carolina, it was like, ‘You come in, you be your best version of yourself.'”

“I think the one thing that’s helped him is that we’re not expecting- he is a leader in his own right, but we’re not expecting him to lead this team. We have Jrue. We have Dame. We have Deni… We have a lot of vets and a lot of guys that are adults in the room. So, I think that for him, being able to come in and focus on himself and integrate with his teammates. But he’s been phenomenal.”

Although Micah Nori praised Ja Morant’s efforts in building relationships with his teammates and integrating himself into the roster, his remark about the expectations of Morant as a leader raises some eyebrows.

For the most part, Nori’s approach isn’t wrong. Since the two-time All-Star is joining a new team for the first time in his career, making fewer demands from him could help lower the overall pressure he faces.

Additionally, with players like Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Deni Avdija, the Blazers have enough veteran leadership on the roster. Still, there is reason to believe that discounting Ja Morant’s value as a leader does not set a great precedent entering the new season.

 

Damian Lillard Defends Ja Morant

In many ways, Nori’s comment aligns with earlier remarks about Morant’s role in the rotation, hinting that the two-time All-Star could be asked to come off the bench for the team. Given the potential fit issues alongside Damian Lillard and the backcourt logjam, Nori’s wishes to stabilize the rotation seem justified. Still, Lillard wasn’t in favor of this.

Lillard was among the first to say that he and Morant would form the Blazers’ starting backcourt, effectively clashing with Nori’s claims. To that end, after Wednesday’s game, Lillard even pushed back on critics who doubted the fit next to Morant.

“You know, I played for eight years with another undersized backcourt mate, and we were able to get a lot done,” Damian Lillard claimed. “And people had similar things to say. But the bottom line is, we never lost. We were never a losing team. We won, we gave people problems, and I think we have a similar situation now with me and Ja. We’re both dynamic guards. We are able to get it done, but now we’re on a team that’s super deep.”

While there have been debates about who should be the Blazers’ starting point guard, Lillard clearly believes that he and Ja Morant should comprise Portland’s starting backcourt. While the head coach may not agree with this, it is equally difficult to refute Lillard’s rationale.

During his most successful years with the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard was partnered with CJ McCollum, another dynamic, offensive-minded guard, who could score at will. The Blazers’ backcourt duo was immensely effective, having led Portland to the WCF in 2018. Thus, even though Ja Morant doesn’t have the same playing style as McCollum, Lillard’s logic is sound.

Still, it may be too early to make any sweeping conclusions about what the Blazers’ rotation should be. While Morant certainly has the potential to be an impactful player in the starting lineup, Portland will need to strike a balance between the trio of Lillard, Morant, and Holiday.

When also noting that Shaedon Sharpe will inevitably return from injury in due time, the Blazers will have some difficult decisions to make. But with this much depth at their disposal, they are bound to be an interesting team this season.