The NBA came down hard Friday on Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant, suspending the superstar for 25 games next season for his behaviour on social media.
After appearing for the second time in a few months on social media and brandishing a pistol, the league decided to set a firmer tone. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made no qualms about it on Friday, saying that the superstar’s behaviour was “alarming.”
Grizzlies Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games
For some context, this was Morant’s second ban in a four-month span. In March he was seen on an Instagram stream wielding a firearm in a Denver nightclub shortly after a game against the Nuggets. That forced Adam Silver to hand him an eight-game suspension. Morant pleaded that he was to change his ways.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
In May the Memphis guard was seen again in a social media post exhibiting dubious behaviour, this time riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle. For a split second, a gun is visible in Morant’s hand. This time this league found itself in a delicate position of having to figure out what sort of punishment would fit the ill-advised gesture.
In addition to the number of games, the NBA added more fervour to the sanctions.
As per the NBA:
Morant “will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games.”
His own team, the Memphis Grizzlies, also took some action, disallowing the player from any team activities. This decision was taken shortly after the second video surfaced.
Memphis Grizzlies Behind the Eight Ball?
As for what this means in basketball terms – whilst acknowledging that there are far larger, more important things at play – the punishment surely means that Moran will be ineligible for any regular season honours. The most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, which commences July 1, states that a player needs to partake in at least 65 games to be in contention for such awards. Even if Morant is perfectly healthy and plays all of his remaining scheduled games, it would only amount to 57.
Then of course there is the team he has let down, the Memphis Grizzlies. Obviously, going almost an entire third of the season without their superstar suggests the road to glory will be difficult. Maybe so. Then again, maybe not. Of note is Memphis’ overall record the past couple of seasons when Morant has been out of the lineup. They’re 33-17 over the past two campaigns, which is good by any team’s standards, let alone one dealing with the absence of its reputed best player. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adam, when healthy, and Tyus Jones can all play great basketball. We’ll find out this autumn.
