Latest/ November 5, 2021/

‘I’m Taking Me and Doubling Down Every Time’

A lot has happened since the last time we spoke. For instance, Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey is no longer on your team because he repeatedly missed extra points. But let’s get back to basics: in a divisional matchup against Philadelphia Eagles, Case Keenum led his team down the field for a game-winning touchdown with 0 seconds left in regulation following an impressive scramble and pass from Stefon Diggs. The final score of 26-24 was enough to send both teams into overtime before the Vikings pulled out yet another victory when they blocked Nick Foles’ punt attempt at their own one-yard line during double OT! So who knows what will happen from here? If you were lucky enough to have been there that night, chances are you saw how much fun it was just being at U.S Bank Stadium—and all thanks goes to this football season’s most electrifying player by far: Case Keenum

“When to double down or split” is a question that many people are asking. The answer can be found in the “I’m Taking Me and Doubling Down Every Time”.

Ja Morant is on his way to becoming an NBA superstar. After being selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies behind Zion Williamson, he earned Rookie of the Year in 2019-20.

In year two, Morant’s numbers improved across the board as he guided the Grizzlies to and through a play-in game before falling to the No. 1-seeded Utah Jazz.

A certain degree of confidence, even cockiness, is essential to grow into a player of Morant’s skill — or any superstar, for that matter. Ja has it in spades as he aspires to follow in the footsteps of LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the league’s next generational superstar.

Ja Morant had a lot of confidence going into this season, and he’s proven it.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates following a win.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates following a win. The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant celebrates his team’s victory against the Golden State Warriors. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Last season, the wiry 6-foot-3 guard boosted his scoring from 17.8 points per game his rookie season to 19.1. His assist totals increased as well.

However, his 2021-22 season has gotten off to an incredible start. Morant is tied for second in the league in scoring with Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 28.3 points per game. According to NBA.com, he’s just 0.4 points behind Stephen Curry.

For any guard who tries more than 10 shots per game, he ranks second in the league in field goal percentage. Ja’s effective field-goal percentage and free-throw % are both at career highs.

He’s a lifetime 32.2 percent 3-point shooter, but this season he’s converting on 38.5 percent of his shots from distance on a career-high 5.6 attempts per game.

Ja is also tied with Anthony Davis for the NBA lead in paint points per game. The top five players are all at least six inches taller: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Montrezl Harrell, in that order.

Morant’s numbers reveal he’s a hard-charging, courageous guard in the manner of Allen Iverson.

Morant’s brazen approach on the court extends to his off-court activities as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= aTXYeEFqr8

Before the season began, the Grizzlies’ franchise point guard was all in.

He and Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report got down and spoke about a variety of things, including who would be this generation’s superstar; before this crop of young players, it was James. It was Kobe Bryant who came before him. Before Bryant, it was Michael Jordan.

“Who do you think will be the man in this wave who is spoken about almost as if he is the standard?” During their Bleacher Report interview, Rooks posed the question to the Murray State product. Without hesitation, Ja replied:

“I’m going to say myself,” she says. I just have that self-assurance.

“I’ll never claim that no one in the world can defeat me one-on-one. It’s simply the self-assurance I have in myself. And I’m always going to take myself, no matter who I’m up against. I’m not afraid of anybody.

“It’s pointless to be afraid of someone out there,” she says. Every time, I’m taking myself and doubling down.”

Ja Morant discusses his self-assurance.

The third-year guard’s self-assurance is propelling him to new heights. Morant is not only vying for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award (which is remarkable in and of itself, given that he’s already won Rookie of the Year), but he’s also fourth on NBA.com’s MVP ladder as of Oct. 29, behind Antetokounmpo, Curry, and Kevin Durant.

One of the league’s bright young talents has had a breakthrough season.

It’s unarguable that Ja has been a greater player than Zion at this stage in their careers. While Williamson struggles to remain on the court (or even get on it this season), Morant has been ripping defenses apart.

Luka Doncic is the only player that comes close to Ja in terms of being part of the “new generation” of players who are 22 or younger. And in terms of points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free-throw percentage, effective field-goal %, and box plus-minus, Morant is outperforming the two-time All-NBA guard this season.

In terms of the current generation of up-and-comers, the former zero-star recruit needs to be listed with Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Doncic, and Donovan Mitchell, according to 247Sports. And this season, he’s outperforming all of them.

It may be arrogant of Ja to engage in a discussion with LeBron and Michael. But it’s that confidence that’s propelling him down the same path as the two greatest players of all time.

Unless otherwise stated, all stats are courtesy of Basketball Reference.

After the Jarrett Culver-Patrick Beverley trade, the Memphis Grizzlies are stocking up for long-term success.

“Double down vs double up” is a term that is used in the world of gambling when someone bets on two different events. The term “I’m taking me and doubling down every time” refers to the idea of always being prepared for anything. Reference: double down vs double up.