NBA star Ja Morant has entangled himself in a gun and gang debacle… AGAIN!
Sports :
Temetrius Jamel ‘Ja’ Morant, who was drafted #2 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA draft, is an incredibly talented basketball player who recently signed a $231 million extended 5-year contract — making him one of the richer players in the league. However, his play and his contract are not what he’s known for these days as Morant has found himself in the news yet again for all the wrong reasons. Â
In March of this year, Ja Morant was suspended by the NBA for 8 games without pay after brandishing a handgun in public and broadcasting it on Instagram Live.
According to the league, Morant engaged in “conduct detrimental to the league” when he live-streamed a video of himself “holding a firearm in an intoxicated state” at a club near Denver.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless, and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement at the time. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.”
(Or, in other words, Morant’s actions were a bad look for the NBA brand due to its desire to be a family-friendly sport).
After losing more than $4 million in salary while suspended due to his reckless act, the 23-year-old Morant apologized to the NBA and its fans, then enrolled in a mysterious “counseling” program that was supposed to help him become a better person.
Fast-forward to a few days ago — and what did the public see on Instagram Live? A brand new video of Ja Morant riding shotgun (pun intended) alongside one of his boys, shouting rap lyrics, flashing gang signs, and, yes… flashing a handgun.
Now, all hell has broken loose with critique and commentary coming from all ends.
Former NBA player Kwame Brown took to social media with a shocking and expletive-laden tirade.
“You got to be the dumbest motherf*cker in the league,” Brown said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. “You got $231 million promised to you and you want to be a f*cking thug?… What the f*ck are you doing?”
ESPN analyst Steven A. Smith ripped Morant a new one during his Monday broadcast.
“Why are you walking around with a gun in broad daylight? What kind of life are you living? Who are you hanging around? What are you subjecting yourself to that you’ve got to worry about what the hell is going on in your life?” Steven A. asked rhetorically.
.@stephenasmith reacts to Ja Morant’s recent video:
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 15, 2023
“Ja Morant has been associated with guns more than he’s been associated with winning.” pic.twitter.com/KvvFSe1N6M
However, it was the warning from an authentic gang member who put the word out for Morant to immediately cease and desist flashing gang signs (when he’s not an actual gang member) that has garnered the most attention.
“He knows what’s up. He ain’t f*ckin’ with the gangland like that,” Crips gang member Bricc Baby said.
“He throwing those N’s up, that’s going to cost you. What do you want to do? To pay the Crips for the rest of your life?” he continued.
Bricc then challenged Morant to meet him in person so he could show him what gang life is really like.
“Start being real with yourself, cuz. You a basketball player. You want to step into this field, we can show you a whole lot about this sh*t.”
For their part, the Memphis Grizzlies have once again suspended Ja Morant from all team activities “pending League review” and until further notice.
The NBA is also expected to issue an additional punishment for the young player. Word on the street is that he could be hit with a 1-year suspension (without pay) as a means to really make it hurt this time so that he reconsiders his actions and his life choices.
OK WASSUP! covers Sports News:
Ja Morant involved in another gun fiasco.
Was hoping you would cover this DJ. Thank you!
There is so much to consider when looking at how this young Black man seems determined to throw it all away. And I’m not talking about money. There is something even more valuable at stake here. His life!
I have a few thoughts on this sad and sorry story. But I would really like to hear from other readers first, especially Black men!
Hey Truth this is a good point. I read an article that said a lot of basketball players hate it. They only do it for the money. I am going to forward it to DJ because it makes some good points.
Fox News:
Fox News host Will Cain does not believe Ja Morant should be suspended for his latest instance of appearing to flash a gun on IG Live.
Cain, who is hosting Fox News this week in the 8:00 pm slot previously hosted by Tucker Carlson, wondered aloud why the NBA would be infringing upon the Grizzlies star’s second amendment rights.
“Explain to me something. Does Ja Morant not have 2A rights?” Cain asked.
“Can he not do what he wants outside of his work environment if it’s still legal? It may be stupid, but I don’t know what he’s done to be suspended.”
Morant is suspended indefinitely from team activities, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported on the possibility of Morant facing a “lengthy” suspension to start the 2023-24 NBA season.
I wonder what they would say if black men start walking the streets carrying guns like the white boys do. They would change their tune then.
It’s something wrong with this brother that makes me think he is crying out for help. Maybe an older player can step in and try to help him out.
And let the Church say Amen!
Wil, you hit the nail on the head. There is indeed something wrong with this young man and he is indeed Crying out for help!
This is bigger than basketball and even money. This is about his life! And I would posit that, in so many ways, basketball and money have now made his life and his problems a whole lot worse because of the burdens he probably feels he has to bear now.
I honestly don’t think he wants to be in the NBA anymore. And I don’t care how much he may claim otherwise. I think this young man, like so many other young Black males who present early in life having exceptional athletic talent and abilities, get pushed into a life-track where what Other people want For them, and eventually From them, dictates everything about their life, whether that gifted child wants it or not!
It’s pretty much drilled into their heads – to want it (Money, Power, Success)- from the moment their talent is recognized. And whatever struggles that child may be deeply affected by is swept under the rug, ignored, or dismissed as trivial.
That child is forced to suffer in silence until he/she grows up and all kinds of H*ll begins breaking loose!
Ask yourself this question: Why is it that so many talented young Black athletes today, who make more money now than they ever dreamed of admit that they suffer from chronic Anxiety and major Depression?
Making million$ was supposed to fix all that. Heal all that. But it didn’t.
That gaping wound is still there and growing worse by the day!
Let the church say amen.
I have been wanting to get to this all morning. But everybody is giving good responses. Wil said it just right. Something is wrong in this young man’s life. He has all that money but something is missing for him. Wil was also right that maybe a mentor can step in and help him. Because they could kick him out and void his contract. Then he is left with nothing.
Just want to pop my head in and add this….
I heard Adam Silver speak on this matter a little bit last evening on ESPN, prior to the Lakers vs Nuggets game. Based on what little he said, his words actually said a lot!
The strongest message I got from Adam’s words is that he feels betrayed by Ja’s previous claim that he was going to work hard to get his act together and stay on the right track. And that he fully understood what was at stake.
I think Adam is going to send a major message to Ja, the Grizzlies and the entire NBA League, when he hands down Ja’s punishment.
Adam Silver is not playing around this time with Ja. It would be one thing if a year had already past after he had a gun last time. But it was only in March. Silver is going to make a example of Ja to put a message out.
That is exactly right BD. He’s going to make an example of Ja to send a message.
Ja’s parents are also a huge part of his problems too!
If he ends up destroying his career, if not his life, they will certainly bare a huge part of the blame.