The Memphis Grizzlies are performing above expectations this year.
The team is second in the Eastern Conference despite several injuries throughout the campaign and on course for a return to the postseason.
Yet one former NBA star has dismissed the credibility of the team and their star names.
The Grizzlies need 20 wins from their final 25 to set a new franchise record for the most wins in the regular season, while being in the mix for the second seed.
Their offense has been reinvigorated by the quick pace they play at and their swarming defensive intensity has been created by young stars like Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey
A new-look Grizzlies side is set to make the playoffs comfortably after a disappointing campaign last year saw them miss the postseason.
Potential success this year comes despite starting two rookies and star Ja Morant having a relatively quiet season as he returns from injury.
The 25-year-old is averaging 28 minutes per game as they look to preserve the energy of their most explosive player for the playoffs.
Despite such optimism around the Grizzlies going into the crunch part of the calendar, 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins suggested he already knows the destiny of this Memphis team.
Perkins had harsh words for Jared Jackson Jr and further urged Morant to do more before giving his verdict on their championship chances.
“Getting to the Memphis Grizzlies, if you’re trying to be a legit title contender, if you’re trying to matchup with Denver, trying to go toe-to-toe with Oklahoma City, Jaren Jackson Jr. can’t be your best player in a seven-game series,” Perkins said.
“Ja Morant needs to be that guy.”
The ESPN analyst went further on Morant, claiming that LA Lakers star Austin Reaves has enjoyed a much better season than him.
“Ja Morant, honestly hasn’t been that guy all season long, one could argue that Austin Reaves, and I say this respectively, Austin Reaves has had more of a productive season this year than Ja Morant,” Perkins added.
“If you don’t believe me, go look at the numbers.”
Through 34 games this season, Morant has averaged 20.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds on 44/31/81 shooting from the field.
For Reaves, through 50 games he’s averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 45/36/87 shooting from the field.
Perkins seems to be expecting a lot from Morant and Jackson Jr, who both are averaging less than 30 minutes per game as their head coach continues to preserve them.
Should nothing drastically change, the Grizzlies will enter the playoffs with their two superstars fully fit and when the postseason begins, ready to raise everyone’s level.