Welcome to the Vinsanity Scale! In honor of one of the greatest in-game dunkers in NBA history, the Vinsanity Scale rates dunks on a scale of 1-4. Similar to the Horry Scale, the dunk in question is graded on the game situation, difficulty and celebration to answer one question: Would it make Half Man, Half Amazing proud?
With the Grizzlies making their lone visit to Orlando this season, Ja Morant made sure the fans at the Amway Center got their money's worth.
The dunk
YOU KNOW 12 OUT HERE.
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 5, 2022
WATCH YOUR HEAD. pic.twitter.com/IAQdCEN71u
Game situation
The Grizzlies were taking care of business in Orlando, holding a 27-point lead as the third quarter was coming to a close. Morant had done plenty of work up to that point, scoring 31 points in his first 28 minutes of action.
Morant's dunk was essentially the exclamation point on a dominant performance, giving him 33 points in three quarters and giving the Grizzlies a 29-point advantage.
Difficulty
Robin Lopez isn't necessarily the athlete he once was, but he's still a 7-footer and has about a 10-inch height advantage over Morant.
Now, where Morant lacks in size, he more than makes up for in athleticism, as he's without a doubt one of the league's most explosive players.
The main thing making this easier for Morant is the fact that Lopez is scrambling backwards and gets turned around before he can attempt to contest the dunk. Credit goes to Morant for putting Orlando's big man in a blender.
Reaction
The "on his head" response has become something of a go-to these days, and Morant goes to it as soon as he lands, patting his own head with passion. I mean, he's staring at Lopez before he even lands.
The Grizzlies' bench immediately jumps up to react, with Tyus Jones' "on his head" pat standing out more than anyone else.
Bonus points for Kyle Anderson, who has definitely seen a Morant poster or two, but clearly was impacted here, twitching before running back on defense. Also, kudos to Lopez, who ran right back on offense. If you play long enough – and Lopez has – you'll get dunked on every now and then, it's part of the game.
And Grizzlies social wins with the reaction video from comedian Druski that inspired the social copy.
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 5, 2022
Vinsanity Scale
It's not the first time Morant has landed on the scale, nor will it be the last. That being said, this one is up there with some of his best work, but it isn't his absolute best. I give it Three Vinsanitys.
