I mean… that’s the headline we fear if we actually own up to it. What started as the shenanigans of a 23-year-old kid just trying to blow off some steam is now viewed as maybe his way of life off of the basketball court. You can’t google the name Ja Morant without the word “gun” immediately attached to it. That is disappointing, considering Morant is a monster of a highlight reel that produces must-see TV and endless social media chatter. His future with the Memphis Grizzlies is in doubt now that social media surfaced with him brandishing a gun for the second time this season. His future could be a Rest In Peace Ja Morant headline if we simply let it slide.
The First Incident
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies lost a regular season game to the Denver Nuggets two months ago. After the game, he decided to get a private room in a gentleman’s club to relax. However, it wasn’t so private since he went live on social media while there. In the video, Morant is seen brandishing a weapon. It’s likely a no-no to carry weapons inside a club. Bringing a gun on your team plane to a road game in Denver is definitely a no-no. It is against the law as well as NBA rules.
The first incident brought about a gun debate, a maturity debate, and a brush with law enforcement.
He was suspended eight games without pay. Morant reportedly entered a counseling program in Florida while away from the team. Fast forward to the playoffs, where the second-seeded Grizzlies lost to (NBA superstar and future Hall-of-Famer) LeBron James and the LA Lakers in the first round.
The NBA’s Statement
This was the NBA’s statement after the first incident.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” Silver said in the release. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/ja-morant-issued-8-game-suspension-without-pay-eligible-for-grizzlies-return-monday-190526910.html
The Second Incident
NBA star Ja Morant pulls out a gun on Instagram Live again ??♂️ pic.twitter.com/IsrrLfRawP
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 14, 2023
Yea. It happened again. This time with a bigger gun, apparently. The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant indefinitely while investigating the latest incident. Not much to investigate if you ask me.
Some people are calling for Ja Morant to be suspended for all of next season.
So What Now?
Based on the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, Morant will be eligible for a maximum 50-game suspension if the weapon was brought onto team premises (locker room, practice court, team plane, etc.). He could be subject to a suspension if he were headed to or from a team-sponsored event. Barring that, the actual NBA punishment is over (maybe the Grizzlies punish him as a repeat offender of conduct detrimental to the team). But the sports talking-head backlash will overshadow his entire offseason.
Find Your Peace
Staying off of social media for a while is a great short-term fix. Similar to what I wrote about superstar point guard and former NBA champion Kyrie Irving when he got suspended this season. Social media isn’t worth your livelihood. Please take a break until you can get on it responsibly without jeopardizing everything you worked for.
Secondly, look at the people you hang out with. Look at what you do for entertainment. Monitor all the text messages, pictures, and videos we don’t see. Does something need to change? I assume the weapon is a personal protection device, and Morant is legally allowed to own one, so he should if he wants to. But if Morant is rolling through sketchy neighborhoods with hanger-on types in his off time, what we fear the most might come true. We could lose a superstar in his prime to this country’s gun violence and culture.
Find your peace so we don’t have to say Rest in Peace Ja Morant.
Follow me on Twitter for more NBA news and articles. Please also follow Belly Up Sports on Twitter for the latest sports content.
1 Comment
Hard head makes for a soft behind and an empty bank account. He needs to lose i. A major way to understand this NBA life is fleeting.