Count Ja Morant among the fans of Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook. In fact, the Memphis Grizzlies' star rookie doesn't think the former league MVP gets his due.
"I still feel like he's highly disrespected," Morant said of Westbrook on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "People take his play for granted. I mean, he averaged a triple-double for the last three or four years, and I'm pretty sure they see what he's doing this year, but it's still the same thing.
"I just love that he still just goes out and plays and handles his business and doesn't worry about it."
The comments came before Morant's first career outing against the nine-time All-Star; Westbrook had been inactive for both of the Rockets' previous two clashes with the Grizzlies this season.
Morant's praise proved somewhat prophetic. Westbrook thoroughly outdueled his young foe during Wednesday's contest, recording 33 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals in 34 minutes of action. Morant tallied a modest 12 points and nine assists.
True to his style, Westbrook didn't dwell much on Morant's remarks.
"I don't really care what nobody else thinks about my game," Westbrook said. "I appreciate guys like (Morant) and other guys, but as long as I'm OK and satisfied with what I bring to the table, I'm going to keep busting everybody's ass."
