Ja Morant emerged as one of the NBA's most electrifying stars primarily because he was so dynamic attacking off the dribble. But he's shown increasing hesitancy to drive into the paint. According to Basketball Reference, the percentage of Morant's field goal attempts within three feet of the basket has dipped each season and plummeted this season. Only 15.4% of his attempts have come from that close range this season, less than half of his career norm. "Either you're declining at a rapidly fast rate, or you've quit on this [coach]," a West executive said. Morant has readily admitted that he stopped attacking the rim with reckless abandon as a way to protect his body, blaming officials for putting him in harm's way by swallowing their whistles.
ESPN
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ja Morant emerged as one of the NBA's most …
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