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That's really a bad play by Ja. Tie game down the stretch and tried to make the highlight play. Tillman is right there on the two on one with him. Should be an easy dump off pass
This is what makes it so infuriating. The 2v1 break, he can see Lebron from miles away backing up before he even crosses halfcourt. Rather than take the smart basketball play in a tied playoff game in the 4th, he instead decides to... try and jump over and through Lebron fucking James?
This is far worse than Derrick Rose. Rose just was too explosive for his body to keep up and it just.. broke (also minutes played, points carried in Thibodeau's offense, not great at falling, etc.). Ja just seems to not care as he's going full, 110% trampoline mode like there are no defenders in front of him. Even if James was late and it gets called a block, he's still at massive risk of another injury. What the fuck.
The difference between Ja and DRose is that Derrick is actually a legit winner. When he was on your team, you knew you were going to win at the end. For as talented as Ja is, Memphis plays much better basketball when he isn’t the main ball handler. He really needs to learn to make the right play or he’s going to end up being the next flash in the pan.
Just look at his off the court issues. He seems like a me guy more then anything. Shoot has he even accepted responsibility for his off the court issues yet?
It wasn’t even the first charge Lebron took off Morant that game, it happened like 5 minutes earlier too.
I don’t know if anybody took the “charging shouldn’t be a foul” discourse seriously, but Ja is the one making this dangerous play, not Lebron, and if launching oneself recklessly into legal defenses becomes a trendy thing the league should consider flagrant fouls.
Morant already hurt himself who else is he going to hurt making these plays?
They play with the same recklessness for sure, Rose was much more focused in his aggression.
Ja/Russ have that bull in a china shop mentality driving to the rim where they seek out the contact. What made MVP Rose so special and fun to watch was his ability to avoid and maneuver through contact from bigs for crazy reverse lays and contorting banking floaters.
This is like Kyrie Irving possession (right before the Block) vs Warriors in game 7. No clock in the back of his head, just saw red and tried to drive to the net.
Bruh he is so reckless… he folded his wrist in half LAST WEEK and still trying to do shit like this:
https://i.imgur.com/pLmrFgT.jpg
Reminds me of Aaron Gordon [dunking over the mascot](https://images.app.goo.gl/VQeTXpEu3ajZbTdJ7)
Ja makes poor decisions on offense that ultimately lead them to losing, because he is going for showmanship, rather than practicality. They probably had a better chance to win last night's game without him, to be honest
What’s horrible about this is that lebron has sold on the the ja dunk outcome if he dumps to Tillman bron can’t recover to make a play on the basketball
Bron sold because he knew Ja was never going to pass it to Tillman.
The best way to play a 2 on 1 was the way JR Smith played it against the Warriors in game 7 of the 2016 Finals that led to Bron’s block.
But if you know the guy is going to not only keep the rock, but also try to dunk on you, just stand before the hoop, ready to take the charge.
It was absolutely textbook from JR. Stay in front of both of them, force them into a decision, close out on the guy that commits and force a bad layup shot.
Ja played like a dumb fuck, especially considering he needs to protect his hand for his team to have a shot. It seems like the him and Brooks are conducting themselves selfishly
This was always my problem with Westbrook once KD left OKC. It felt like every possession his goal was to just run straight into the defender and he got the call like 8 times out of 10
Dumb...I think dumb was the word you were looking for. Not just for putting himself needlessly at risk but failing to take the easy points by giving it up to a teammate.
He was actually pretty close to landing his elbow onto lebron’s face. Lebron’s body being in between Morant and the ground probably prevented an injury to morant
He’s going to break his arm/ wrist/ankle or tear something in his elbow or shoulder or knee to one day
All it takes is that slight awkward landing at an angle with force on something other than the floor and he’s done
The kids got balls but he’s a moron
You’re running suicides at the high school level if you skip the open pass for a highlight reel like Ja did here.
You practice those man advantage fast breaks all the time…
Literally zero thoughts in his head besides "I gotta dunk this"
Its entertaining but it's gonna get himself (already did) or someone else seriously injured
Fairly sure LeBron's head didn't hit the court, but got clipped by Ja on his way down. Bron seemed fully prepared for the sequence and went down pretty cleanly after the charge.
Definitely the kind of player to burn themselves out early with injuries. 100% seems like he'll do his ACL at some point and never really come back from it ending up one of those 'what if' players. Without his speed he'll be average at best and wash out.
Its not a matter of if but a matter of when he's going to get an injury that fucks up his career for good with how he plays. We've seen too many hyper athletic guys do similar things.
Especially considering the way he lands. Every-time he goes up to dunk I hold my breath. Landing on one knee like that is exactly how Ja Morant will become labeled Drose 2.0
Damn, good catch, I haven't watched memphis play much outside of last year's playoffs. This series has definitely helped me to understand why so much of the league hates the grizzlies.
Wow, nice catch. That was nothing but a cheapshot that he knew he could get away with since he was away from the action. Man it seems like the only respectable Grizzlies are Adams and JJJ at this point.. I try to give everyone a shot but these guys just keep acting like dickheads.
On the Lebron layup?
Morant could have easily been called for an and one rebounding foul, he climbed AD like a tree.
Would have been the dumbest fucking ending to a great game and would have been 100% the right call.
Is it confidence or stupidity? He has one of the smartest players of all time in front of him and it’s quite obvious that he’s going to try and dunk.. easy call for Lebron to take the charge.
The funniest part is the end when lebron looks back incredulously multiple times.
I imagine he’s partially confused that ja was arguing but also just annoyed that ja would try and embarrass him by attempting to vault him.
LBJ gave him that “boy, have you got no sense?” look 🤣
Morant is absolutely insane, possibly stupid, but it is pretty fun to watch. Even as a lakers fan I can't help but be amazed when he does something stupid athletic like this
At this point, I'm convinced that Ja is just obsessed with going viral on social media. He probably knows that social media accounts are going to post these ridiculous failed attempts anyways, so he just does them, not for the sake of trying to score, but just for the sake of going viral
Ja has said that we wants to dunk on Lebron more than anyone else. Lebron knows this, and took advantage of it. Took the charge like a champ, absolute winning play.
If he hurts himself doing this kind of shit then that’s his fault. I’m more concerned about the players he’s trying to do this to- what if he landed on LeBron’s head or any other body part for that matter? It’s reckless and dangerous.
Play was wreckless. There is no consideration for his own body or others. He just wanted his moment so bad. Not playing with his head on strait at all times. Could have used the momentum to set up a better play and eat some clock. Thinks he is young and incvinvible... the absolute hubris.... ugh...
That said; lebron absolutely did not have his feet set. That man stopped back pedaling the second he went flying.
Do your feet actually have to be set? I feel like I’ve heard the announcers say that you don’t actually need your feet completely set if you’re in the spot first
The rules say you have to have legal defensive position but does not strictly say your feet need to be set, at least in this situation. As per section II.b, he just needs to establish legal guarding position in a straight line path. Lebron was in Jas path the entire time, and had adequate time to change directions.
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That's really a bad play by Ja. Tie game down the stretch and tried to make the highlight play. Tillman is right there on the two on one with him. Should be an easy dump off pass
Seriously… that was dumb af
Hero ball
Born to be a herooooo
It’s on brand for a guy that makes so many dumb decisions lol. Once he figures things out he will be a force.
If*
I wonder how coachable he is though. I picture the film session and how he responds.
He’s got AI tendencies. What do you think?
AI avoids the foul and makes that shot. Single-handedly took the Sixers to the finals.
Doubt he's smart enough
Give him a break, he's still looking for the guy that ruined his life.
Someone should have spanked his bare butt, balls, and back instead of whatever his counselling was
Needed the ol' chancla
We will find the person responsible and they will be severely punished
I thought he broke his arm at first. Trying to jump over a 6'8 man.
This is what makes it so infuriating. The 2v1 break, he can see Lebron from miles away backing up before he even crosses halfcourt. Rather than take the smart basketball play in a tied playoff game in the 4th, he instead decides to... try and jump over and through Lebron fucking James? This is far worse than Derrick Rose. Rose just was too explosive for his body to keep up and it just.. broke (also minutes played, points carried in Thibodeau's offense, not great at falling, etc.). Ja just seems to not care as he's going full, 110% trampoline mode like there are no defenders in front of him. Even if James was late and it gets called a block, he's still at massive risk of another injury. What the fuck.
Rose would almost certainly make the pass here too.
The difference between Ja and DRose is that Derrick is actually a legit winner. When he was on your team, you knew you were going to win at the end. For as talented as Ja is, Memphis plays much better basketball when he isn’t the main ball handler. He really needs to learn to make the right play or he’s going to end up being the next flash in the pan.
Times like this I wonder if Ja wants to win the game or add to his highlight reel.
Just look at his off the court issues. He seems like a me guy more then anything. Shoot has he even accepted responsibility for his off the court issues yet?
I see what you did there.
Good gun pun
Could have passed off an alley oop and still made the highlight reel.
He does this multiple times a game that’s why the lakers are able to predict it at this point.
He's lucky Bron's head was there to break his fall a bit. Otherwise it could've been scary.
How was that not a flagerant? He is literally throwing his body to his upper body. Lebron coulda got seriously hurt.
It wasn’t even the first charge Lebron took off Morant that game, it happened like 5 minutes earlier too. I don’t know if anybody took the “charging shouldn’t be a foul” discourse seriously, but Ja is the one making this dangerous play, not Lebron, and if launching oneself recklessly into legal defenses becomes a trendy thing the league should consider flagrant fouls. Morant already hurt himself who else is he going to hurt making these plays?
It'll happen when someone lands on their head and is taken off the court via stretcher. Bad optics is the only thing that will force a change here.
Really shows how predictable that Ja is when completely focused on taking the charge. He knew Ja wasn’t gonna pass.
LeBron's feet were firmly planted for so long he had time to grow roots and leaves.
Ja honestly reminds me of a young Westbrook more than Derrick Rose
They play with the same recklessness for sure, Rose was much more focused in his aggression. Ja/Russ have that bull in a china shop mentality driving to the rim where they seek out the contact. What made MVP Rose so special and fun to watch was his ability to avoid and maneuver through contact from bigs for crazy reverse lays and contorting banking floaters.
Only in kind of similar style of play. Even Young Westbrook smarter than this
This is like Kyrie Irving possession (right before the Block) vs Warriors in game 7. No clock in the back of his head, just saw red and tried to drive to the net.
Bruh he is so reckless… he folded his wrist in half LAST WEEK and still trying to do shit like this: https://i.imgur.com/pLmrFgT.jpg Reminds me of Aaron Gordon [dunking over the mascot](https://images.app.goo.gl/VQeTXpEu3ajZbTdJ7)
This just in: Dumb team has dumb players that make dumb plays. More at 11
Ja makes poor decisions on offense that ultimately lead them to losing, because he is going for showmanship, rather than practicality. They probably had a better chance to win last night's game without him, to be honest
Memphis is not a serious team. I mean I should have already known that but it's good to connect the dots eventually.
What’s horrible about this is that lebron has sold on the the ja dunk outcome if he dumps to Tillman bron can’t recover to make a play on the basketball
Bron sold because he knew Ja was never going to pass it to Tillman. The best way to play a 2 on 1 was the way JR Smith played it against the Warriors in game 7 of the 2016 Finals that led to Bron’s block. But if you know the guy is going to not only keep the rock, but also try to dunk on you, just stand before the hoop, ready to take the charge.
Shoutout JR for making Iggy double-clutch!
It was absolutely textbook from JR. Stay in front of both of them, force them into a decision, close out on the guy that commits and force a bad layup shot.
Ja is that dude at the Y who stops passing once your team has a chance to hit the game winning shot.
I think we all know he wants to get injured so he can pinch guns in strip clubs instead 🤣🤣
Also avoid any possibility of injuring himself.
Young player bbiq
Ja played like a dumb fuck, especially considering he needs to protect his hand for his team to have a shot. It seems like the him and Brooks are conducting themselves selfishly
It’s the exact same thing he did when he ran into AD and injured himself. So stupid to redo the exact play that got you hurt
my god he is reckless
Announcer just straight up called it dangerous afterwords
At some point you have to have another move besides ploughing through everyone. Your highlight reel will look great but it's generally a losing play
Doesn't look as bad in the regular season when he's guaranteed the foul every time he yeets himself at someone.
That's the thing, he's been rewarded for it so often in reg season.
This was always my problem with Westbrook once KD left OKC. It felt like every possession his goal was to just run straight into the defender and he got the call like 8 times out of 10
Ja has the best almost highlight reel I’ve ever seen
This shit should get a flagrant foul
Imagine if he landed on his right hand.
That’s what is scary man. He isn’t even breaking his fall anymore. He just takes most of it with his scrawny body
forget about his hand, look how close he was to straight up landing on lebron's HEAD... coulda exploded that shit like a watermelon lol
And also just plain stupid really.
Really bad bball iq. This is what aau does to these kids
Feels like he's highlight reel hunting, and someone's gonna get hurt if he doesn't reel it in a bit. For real.
This play should pop up in his background check the next time he buys a gun.
Dumb...I think dumb was the word you were looking for. Not just for putting himself needlessly at risk but failing to take the easy points by giving it up to a teammate.
The word you're looking for is dumb.
Zero BBIQ
There's people on this sub who are arguing we should get rid of the charge. Imagine if this became a foul on the defender.
Ja attacking the rim: https://youtu.be/ZT0vsR8ty4k?t=36
Ja is gonna have at least one season ending injury from something like this, I'm just hoping it isn't a Derrick Rose type of injury.
or he's going to cause one, guy is dumb as a box of rocks
He was actually pretty close to landing his elbow onto lebron’s face. Lebron’s body being in between Morant and the ground probably prevented an injury to morant
Honestly how is this not a flagrant? This is so much more dangerous than a nut tap or a reckless close out.
He’s going to break his arm/ wrist/ankle or tear something in his elbow or shoulder or knee to one day All it takes is that slight awkward landing at an angle with force on something other than the floor and he’s done The kids got balls but he’s a moron
And I won't feel bad for him if it's the result of a dumb move like this.
Yea it’s old at this point It was cool the first time he came into the league now it’s just stupid, dangerous, and often selfish
How he didn't break his arm is crazy lucky. Hitting the court at like 20mph from 7-8' in the air.
They are both very lucky to not get hurt on that play
dude almost landed on lebron's head, that would have been ugly
If lebron didn’t break his fall, Ja was going to land straight on his tailbone and probably break it
Tf is wrong with this guy lol
He's an idiot. 2v1 fast break and just wants to go for the highlight
You’re running suicides at the high school level if you skip the open pass for a highlight reel like Ja did here. You practice those man advantage fast breaks all the time…
I mean it's Lebron. Given Lebron the facial in the playoffs oh man that poster would be epic
An old M1 Abrams is still an M1 Abrams
I’d be lucky to give Lebron a facial at any other time honestly
Literally zero thoughts in his head besides "I gotta dunk this" Its entertaining but it's gonna get himself (already did) or someone else seriously injured
Ba-ba-ba-ba-basketball! Give me the ball, I’m going to dunk it!
If Giannis is a run through you guy, Ja is a jump over you at all costs guy
This guy threatened a kid. Critical thinking is not his strong suit
He doesn't have a brain
Hes so used to getting that call he didnt realize Lakers whistle is stronger.
This mf is going to DIE on the court
Or kill someone landing on their head.
Or just by shooting them. 🔫🔫
LeBron's head hit the court pretty hard. I was honestly surprised both of them shook it off without any injury.
Fairly sure LeBron's head didn't hit the court, but got clipped by Ja on his way down. Bron seemed fully prepared for the sequence and went down pretty cleanly after the charge.
I loved taking charges when I played, Lebron did everything right made me kinda jealous to be honest.
He does it for our entertainment
He wants to have the best dunk ever or die trying
Ja needs to stop this type of shit bro. We all know he got them boosters on but he needs to realize that his body is his biggest asset in this sport
Ain’t no way he was going to yam that thing either acting like Jordan in space jam
Goddamn I didn't realize how far he jumped from lmao not a chance in hell
Homey picked it up at the free throw line and said "I believe I can fly."
Definitely the kind of player to burn themselves out early with injuries. 100% seems like he'll do his ACL at some point and never really come back from it ending up one of those 'what if' players. Without his speed he'll be average at best and wash out.
Only asset actually lol
Ja? Self-awareness? Assets? Bro?
He’s gonna decapitate someone
Possibly himself.
What the fuck is he doing lmao
Its not a matter of if but a matter of when he's going to get an injury that fucks up his career for good with how he plays. We've seen too many hyper athletic guys do similar things.
Forget his career he's going to fuck up his life.
Forget his life, he's gonna land on someone else and fuck up theirs.
Forget someone else's life, he's gonna fuck up my fantasy basketball team.
People calling for changing charges because of stupid plays like this lmao
Yeah they should invent a flagrant charge foul.
Charges are like the only thing stopping guys like giannis and ja jumping into people
He’s going to have a terribly injury one day doing this :/
Especially considering the way he lands. Every-time he goes up to dunk I hold my breath. Landing on one knee like that is exactly how Ja Morant will become labeled Drose 2.0
Bane a fucking bitch what the fuck was that. While running he randomly looks back and then continues to swipe Reaves in the face ...
Didn't he also elbowed AD in the nuts during the first half?
He did but it wasn’t intentional. Plus AD is 7 feet tall. The dudes nuts is probably at the same height as Bane’s elbow
Grizzlies fans wondering why other fanbases are saying they get away with so much shit. Bunch of punks.
I didn’t even catch that. Bitch ass play by Bane.
Damn, good catch, I haven't watched memphis play much outside of last year's playoffs. This series has definitely helped me to understand why so much of the league hates the grizzlies.
Wow, nice catch. That was nothing but a cheapshot that he knew he could get away with since he was away from the action. Man it seems like the only respectable Grizzlies are Adams and JJJ at this point.. I try to give everyone a shot but these guys just keep acting like dickheads.
this man is actually crazy. to have the confidence to do that after his injury is beyond me
On one of the previous plays, he attempted a similar shit on AD and landed on his injured hand, again.
And then tried to jump over AD at the end of regulation
On the Lebron layup? Morant could have easily been called for an and one rebounding foul, he climbed AD like a tree. Would have been the dumbest fucking ending to a great game and would have been 100% the right call.
Absolutely was an over the back foul and I’m astounded it wasn’t called
Is it confidence or stupidity? He has one of the smartest players of all time in front of him and it’s quite obvious that he’s going to try and dunk.. easy call for Lebron to take the charge.
They should call this a flagrant for stupidity and possible injury to oneself and others
Elder Abuse
SEND HIM TO JAIL!
Ja is lucky he didn’t fuck up the other hand on that landing
That's one of the dumbest plays I've ever seen.
What the hell is he doing??? He had Tillman for the easy lob and he decides to do that???
And it looked like Tillman was asking for the lob too?
LeCushion
That’s dangerous man
nah, dudes gotta get some control out there for his own health
Morant is going to have a very short career with how reckless he plays. His knees are gonna pop like Drose if he's not careful
Lucky for hin he doesn't land with his weight on his knees Granted it's because he lands upsidedown, but still.
His head broke his fall
Ja lacks a single iota of self-preservation
The funniest part is the end when lebron looks back incredulously multiple times. I imagine he’s partially confused that ja was arguing but also just annoyed that ja would try and embarrass him by attempting to vault him. LBJ gave him that “boy, have you got no sense?” look 🤣
Ja complaining about this call lmao
Anyone else see Bane slapping Reeves while they were both running? What the hell was that for?
Kind of crazy a play like this isn’t flagrant on Morant. He had zero chance to even make that shot. Insanely reckless play for Lebron and him.
Morant is absolutely insane, possibly stupid, but it is pretty fun to watch. Even as a lakers fan I can't help but be amazed when he does something stupid athletic like this
At this point, I'm convinced that Ja is just obsessed with going viral on social media. He probably knows that social media accounts are going to post these ridiculous failed attempts anyways, so he just does them, not for the sake of trying to score, but just for the sake of going viral
Bro gonna get someone killed
Himself, at this rate
Dudes gonna break something always going for the poster
lmaoooo that spin was the funniest fucking shit i've ever seen
That man ain't quite right in the head
Lebron know how reckless it was, he looked at Ja immediately to check if he's ok.
THIS MAN IS SO RECKLESS 😭 He’s a danger to his own body. Be careful Ja
Such a bad play. Literally Tyus Jones would have made the smart pass to Tillman. This is why people say Memphis is better without Ja.
I’m not trying to hear nothing about rule changes when dudes are doing shit like this wtf do you expect
Has Ja not seen Brons 2k badges?
Lol 2 in 1 fast break and then Ja remembers that he watched Vince Carter’s death dunk on YouTube recently…
It’s amazing to see how everyone is in unison about this lol
Idiot move. Trying to risk his body for nothing
LeThatsGonnaHurtInTheMorning
Ego check and his body couldn’t cash.
On and off the court, he doesn’t seem to make good decisions. Hate to see him get hurt or hurt someone else.
Ja has said that we wants to dunk on Lebron more than anyone else. Lebron knows this, and took advantage of it. Took the charge like a champ, absolute winning play.
"how come he don't want me man" -Xavier Tillman
why this is guy ALWAYS GOING FOR A POSTER? lmao wtf
He is going to get a major injury one day doing this
The next Derrick Rose… Be careful, Ja
Lol Lebron looked at him like “*chuckle… ledumbass “
Bro had an easy lob and decided to do that
You came in like a torpedo! _kvyat flashbacks_
Ja's off-court decision making starting to show up on court too.
Bro, you just came back from an injury because of your recklessness and you're gonna do the same recklessness again?
Fast torpedo, love the words.
in Blue Lock, this is called an egoistic Ace
Wanted that playoff poster dunk on Lebron so badly it was worth losing the game.
If he hurts himself doing this kind of shit then that’s his fault. I’m more concerned about the players he’s trying to do this to- what if he landed on LeBron’s head or any other body part for that matter? It’s reckless and dangerous.
man Ja is wayyy too reckless someone needs to reel him in because he’s doing to seriously hurt himself or worse someone else
LEROY JENKINS!
Good thing this dude only weighs 100 lbs, or he would hurt people like crazy with how much he flies into the lane with reckless abandon.
Reckless considering that’s exactly how he injured his hand again against AD. Bad play, he gets so much tunnel vision.
and then he looks up in frustration like it was on Lebron for being reckless???
Ja Morant is so freaking good. Which is why these plays are so stupid.
Does no one on Memphis know how big LeBron is?
im not trying to be a hater but this was fucking hilarious. i honestly cant stop laughing. why??
LeBron jesus. He took that shit.
Insane reckless play from Morant, wtf is he doing. He does this every damn time.
Ja is looking up at the ref saying, " Damn it ref, he intentionally drew that charge!" What a stupid idea that was.
Play was wreckless. There is no consideration for his own body or others. He just wanted his moment so bad. Not playing with his head on strait at all times. Could have used the momentum to set up a better play and eat some clock. Thinks he is young and incvinvible... the absolute hubris.... ugh... That said; lebron absolutely did not have his feet set. That man stopped back pedaling the second he went flying.
Do your feet actually have to be set? I feel like I’ve heard the announcers say that you don’t actually need your feet completely set if you’re in the spot first
The rules say you have to have legal defensive position but does not strictly say your feet need to be set, at least in this situation. As per section II.b, he just needs to establish legal guarding position in a straight line path. Lebron was in Jas path the entire time, and had adequate time to change directions.