The Memphis Grizzlies superstar sat down with Bleacher Report’s journalist Taylor Rooks on the Taylor Rooks X podcast to talk about various topics in and out of the basketball court. When he was asked about Michael Jordan, things quickly got intense.
“Thank you,” Ja said on what he would’ve told MJ. “He’s the reason a lot of people want to play the game of basketball. To even be there with him is something I didn’t see myself doing as a kid, but having the opportunity to be there and talk to him, introduce myself, to have that conversation with him.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve said, I wish I played in his generation though,” Morant told Rooks. “How he went about the game, just that mindset he had, I would like to play against him.”
Taylor Rooks immediately noticed how the player was not saying the ‘would’ve cooked him’ as he usually does with other NBA counterparts. However, Ja was quick to correct himself.
“I would’ve cooked him too,” he said. “Nobody has more confidence than 12 [Ja’s number].”
“I’m never going to say that anybody can beat me 1-on-1 or anything, I don’t care what it is, what sport it is,” Ja continued. “Soccer. Who’s the best player in soccer? We can play.”
After the filming crew collectively decided that Lionel Messi is currently the best, Morant did not flinch.
“I want to be the goalie. As a matter of fact, someone set it up,” the Grizzlies star point guard told.
Rooks quickly suggested that it would be extremely hard for him against one of the greatest of all time in the sport other than basketball. “For sure,” Ja answered. “I’m confident.”
Playing his third year in the league, Morant was named an All-Star for the first time last season. He also became the Most Improved Player and was elected to the All-NBA Second Team after averaging 27.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.