Shaquille O’Neal Names One Player Who Should Be Considered for 2023 NBA MVP Award

• Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal has said Ja Morant has to be in the MVP conversation this year.
• The Memphis Grizzlies guard is having a great season and has been influential in helping his team to second in the West.
• Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum are leading in the NBA MVP ladder.

NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal has said Ja Morant has to be considered for the MVP award this season because of his influence on Western Conference second-seed Memphis Grizzlies.

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic have always been mentioned as possible winners of the award.

In the recent MVP ladder, the 23-year-old All-Star was ranked seventh, but his consistently impressive performances will be hard to ignore. The 2020 Rookie of the Year is averaging a career-high 27.5 points and assists (7.3).

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He has been instrumental in the Grizzlies' current winning run, which is the best in the NBA. He also led his team to the second round of last year's playoffs. Given how the current season is going, they are on track to go deep into the postseason.

Shaq wants Morant respect

Lakers legend Shaq won the 2000 MVP award therefore he knows what it takes to win one. Morant scored 29 points as the Grizzlies thumped the Phoenix Suns 136-106 on Monday night, per ESPN.

The win took their winning streak to 10 games and could match the franchise record ten wins in a row if they win their next game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After the game, Shaq said analysts need to talk about Morant more, per SI.

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"You need to mention his name. They’re second in the West, this is their second-longest win streak in franchise history. When you talk about MVP, talking about Luka and talk about the Big Joker, make sure you mention this kid’s name."

Their streak will come under threat in their next few games. They face a solid Cavaliers team, then the Lakers, Suns, Kings and Warriors.

Morant thunderous dunk

Sports Brief earlier reported on Ja Morant' thunderous dunk on Indiana Pacers' forward Jalen Smith.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies were leading by 18 points. Morant split a double-team on the perimeter, drove towards the basket and threw down a thunderous dunk over Jalen Smith.

Following the dunk, fans urged the 6-foot-3 guard to enter the Dunk Contest during the 2023 All-Star game in Salt Lake City.