As Ja Morant steps away, a moment of truth in Memphis

Theroad to becoming a team of consequence in the NBA unfolds in stages. It typically begins with rubble — the broken-down remainder of the previous era, the discarded misfit pieces left strewn about as a franchise starts the process of creating something new.

Then comes a blueprint for the future and, with any luck, a cornerstone talent around which to build. With the plan and the organizing principle in place, the team begins its climb: from emphasizing development and culture to year-over-year on-court improvement; from approaching the playoffs to making the playoffs to winning in the playoffs.

The Memphis Grizzlies had crossed every one of those stages over the past half-decade, sliding from the sunset of “Grit and Grind” glory days to the growth of a new generation with shocking speed. They entered this season as one of the NBA’s most fascinating teams: a rising power with a highlight-reel offense and snarling defense, featuring a trio of complementary young stars who only promised to get better. But with success comes pressure — to not only replicate the 50-plus wins and playoff series victories, but to build on them, to win more, to win bigger.

This is the kind of pressure Memphis now feels, and — in the midst of a dismal stretch that has featured fits-and-starts play on

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Again, this is the time to prognosticate as the PBA Govs Cup prelims are coming to an end.

After Ginebra demolished upset-conscious Converge with ease and finesse for its third straight win, I cannot see why Tim Cone and his hardworking Kings will not figure in the battle for the championship trophy.

Of course, there are three - no make it four - others who, given the chance, might impede Ginebra’s journey: San Miguel Beer, TNT, Magnolia and Meralco are also equipped with talented men and materials.

Defense will be the principal factor in thwarting Cone and his boys from acquiring another jeweled diadem.

The opposition - including dark horse Converge and long shot NLEX who are deemed to make it to the next round - will have to contend against the fiery sharp shooting Justin Brownlee, the slam dunking devil-maycare Jamie Malonzo, the efficient quarterbacking of MVP Svcottie Thompson, the heady plays of shooting guard Jeremiah Gray and the intimidating bulldozing tactics of slotman Christian Standhardinger.

This, despite the absence of injury-ridden Japhet Aguilar and ace pointguard LA Tenorio, the court and significantly more worrisome issues off of it — it threatens to undercut the championship chase of one of the NBA’s most dynamic young teams. With just five weeks left in the season, the Grizzlies find themselves at what sure feels like a moment of truth. Where do they go from here?

All discussion of Memphis right now understandably centers on Ja Morant, and on the string of stories surrounding him that has advanced from months of simmering off-court static to more than enough noise to prompt real

Gins Too Strong To Be Denied

Cone’s tested main men.

If the coaching staff of the opposition can design and discover (or improvise) an effective way of exploiting Ginebra’s above-cited handicap and are able to match the prolific outside sniping of JB, Malonzo, Gray and Thompson, any of them will have a fair chance of overturning the odds.

Let’s face it.

Cone is much too much favored by Lady Luck, can’t you see?

When Ginebra was fighting for its life, Cone sent three of his players to complete a trade with NorthPort and get the sevices of Malonzo.

And then, Gray came out from the woods (sans any fanfare). And guess what? Raymond Aguilar, warming the bench for as long as the fans remember, proved that his being a namesake was not an accident.

Add the quality minutes and contribution of shifty Stanley Pringle, Von Pessumal, John Pinto and Aljon Mariano.

Why wouldn’t the millions of Ginebra fans savor the euphoria?

They get their money’s worth - the thousands who brave the weather and the exasperating vehicular traffic when they physically watch and cheer the Kings dive for the loose ball and exhibit the never-say-die Jaworski mantra.

So, the rest are fighting for only concern and require immediate address.

The tipping point came early Saturday morning. Just a few hours after the Grizzlies’ Friday loss to the Nuggets — and only a few days after Morant’s representatives responded to a Washington Post report detailing multiple recent confrontations in which he was involved by asserting that “any and every allegation involving a firearm has been fully investigated and could not be corroborated” — there was Morant, streaming himself partying on

ONE finals slot because the FIRST has been reserved for Brgy. Ginebra?

It might seem that way if one reviews the paths taken by all the teams in the Govs’ Cup.

But let’s not forget the road to the championship is getting tougher and rougher.

The quarterfinals will give us a sneak peek if the Gin Kings or any of those competing for top honors are showing marked improvements.

Remember, the imports define the future of the teams they play for.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.).GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!