There once was a time when the Memphis Grizzlies were the talk of the NBA world, for all the right reasons.
The main character for that story? The audaciously awesome Ja Morant. He wouldn't jump - he would levitate. He wouldn't dunk - he would attack. He was unapologetically himself, aggressively original, and seemingly a prototypical superstar for Memphis and their Grizzlies. There was no question as to who was the star, the alpha, the franchise's most significant player.
The immaculate vibes that led to ESPN hosting a Memphis Grizzlies day have dissipated, however. The postgame interviews, the end-of-season awards, the questions about whether Morant is the future of the NBA as aging stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant eventually leave the league.