Ja Morant Responds to Kendrick Perkins After ESPN Personality Calls Out Grizzlies PG

Ja Morant and Kendrick Perkins likely won't be sending each other holiday greeting cards this year.

The Memphis Grizzlies point guard responded to the ESPN's commentator's discussion about the network's coverage of the player and team with a post on social media:

Morant clearly took issue with some of the things Perkins said and the implications about where some of the guard's fame came from during his career.

Morant entered the league as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2019 NBA draft and wasted little time establishing himself as one of the biggest stars in the league. While Memphis doesn't have the illustrious history of teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, his play provided the Grizzlies with more national recognition.

The Murray State product's resume includes a Rookie of the Year, two All-Star selections and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team in 2021-22. The Grizzlies also advanced to the second round of the playoffs during that All-NBA season.

However, they haven't advanced past the first round since, as Morant was limited to nine games in 2023-24 and 50 games last season. Injuries played a role in some of his absences, but he was also suspended multiple times for conduct detrimental to the league.

Memphis missed the playoffs entirely in 2023-24 and then lost in the first round last season as it fell behind a number of Western Conference rivals in the national consciousness.

Yet it is also 2-1 to start this season with Morant on the floor and leading the way.