“That brother is special” – Stephen A Smith defends Memphis star Ja Morant from Charles Barkley slander

“That brother is special” – Stephen A Smith defends Memphis star Ja Morant from Charles Barkley slander

Stephen A Smith (L), Ja Morant (M), Charles Barkley (R)

Stephen A Smith will not tolerate any Ja Morant slander. Even if it comes from one of the sport’s biggest legends, Charles Barkley. The ESPN analyst showers high praise on the youngster and believes in the 23-year-old to lead Memphis Grizzlies to glory.

The Grizzlies are off to a great start in the 2022-23 season of the NBA. The team led by superstar Ja Morant is looking very promising with a record of 9-6 in their first 15 games. Stephen A Smith, in a recent taping of the First Take show on ESPN, believes a “new era” has begun in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The new era according to Stephen A “begins and ends with the one and only Ja Morant!”

YouTube video

Ja Morant is now averaging 29.3 after playing 13 games. However, Charles Barkley from NBA on TNT believes, the Memphis star has to elevate his game to the point where players around him are playing well. Smith would like to disagree with his fellow analyst right there. “I’m not gonna sit here and make anybody imply that Ja doesn’t make players around him better,” said Smith on First Take.

FS Video

“He is a superstar and any franchise should be proud to have a start of the franchise with a brother like that,” added the ESPN veteran. Safe to say Ja Morant is now Stephen A Smith’s favorite player to watch in the NBA. Check out Barkley’s comments on Ja below:

Read more: “He’s done with MIP..coming for MVP” Ja Morant’s shocking no-look pass to Brandon Clarke erupts the entire FedEx Forum

Stephen A Smith would love to have Ja Morant on the Knicks

Ja Morant
Ja Morant

It is no news that the ESPN analyst is a huge fan of the New York Knicks. The 2019 draft still haunts Stephen A Smith in his sleep. Smith regrets the fact that Morant was not drafted by the Knicks. The First Take host cannot help but fantasize about the Memphis Grizzlies superstar balling at Madison Square Garden.

In 2019, Morant was the No. 2 pick while RJ Barrett was the No. 3 overall pick. “I cry once a month because Ja Morant got drafted a pick ahead of the New York Knicks, who got RJ Barrett with the No. 3 overall pick because John Morant went No. 2,” said Stephen A on the First Take episode. “Could you imagine Ja Morant in Madison Square Garden? Lord have mercy!” exclaimed Stephen A Smith. [h/t Sportskeeda]

Also read: “We run up the chimney and we ain’t ducking”: Ja Morant announces how Grizzlies are ruling the NBA after Julius Randle initiates unnecessary scuffle

In this breakout season of Morant, the ESPN host believes he’s the best player in the Western Conference. Smith also boldly predicted that the 23-year-old would go on to win the scoring title ahead of stars like Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant.

Also read: “He can do what he wants offensively” – Stephen A. Smith believes in Ja Morant surpassing Kevin Durant in 2022-23 scoring charts