End of an Era: Ja Morant Will Never Be Forgotten in Memphis, Tennessee
Today was the end of an era in Memphis as the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to The Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to a report from ESPN on June 29th. What Ja Morant meant to the city and people of Memphis, Tennessee wonāt ever be forgotten. He impacted the the city financially, socially, and embraced them with open arms culturally. From 2019-2026 the Memphis Grizzlies heart and soul was Ja Morant. Ja will go down as one of the most entertaining, influential, and statistically impactful players in Memphis Grizzlies franchise history, averaging 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists per game on 46.6% field goal shooting.
To be transparent, I grew up a San Antonio Spurs fan (backstory), but as I left college, moved to a new city, and started my adult life, I realized I know longer resonated with the San Antonio Spurs fanbase I became a fan of as a 10 year old, which was causing me to lose love for watching the NBA. In 2019, I decided to become an NBA fan free agent, watching various teams every night and interacting with various fanbases. I wanted to find a team I would be excited to root for, but more importantly, I wanted to find a community of folks I resonated and loved talking basketball with.
Thatās when I found Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Growing up in the Bay Area, specifically spending most of time in Oakland and Berkeley, California, the city, people and culture of Memphis, Tennessee reminded me a lot of Oakland. Having just moved out of the state I grew up in for the first time in my life, the Memphis Grizzlies fans and community I met truly felt like home. I was able to familiarize myself with fans through social media, but more specifically Spaces on Twitter/X where I was able to hear from and connect with real fans and people from Memphis, Tennessee. It allowed me to not only understand why I love the Grizzlies, but it taught me to fall in love with the city of Memphis as well.
The first basketball game I ever went to with my wife was the Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers in 2022 and Iāll never forget what it was like to see Ja Morant defy gravity in person. My wife, who at the time couldnāt care less for basketball, was in awe by Ja Morantās vertical leap, quickness, and agility. It was clear why Ja constantly sold out crowds and was must-watch TV.
With no rumors of the Portland Trail Blazers being in the race for Ja Morant, Portland as the landing spot comes to a surprise to many fans across the league. Itās an especially funny situation for me, a Memphis Grizzlies fan living in Portland, as I now watch one Ja Morant era end and another Ja Morant era begin. Iām not the type of fan that can follow multiple teams, but Iām grateful to have the opportunity to check in on Ja and stop by some Blazers games every now and then.
I wish Ja nothing but the best with his time in Portland and the rest of his career. It may have never been a parade in Memphis, Tennessee, but it was one hell of a ride the city and fans across the globe will always be grateful for and never forget.
