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The NBA is no stranger to controversial figures. Some of the names that always come to mind are Dennis Rodman, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green, among many others. Rodman is arguably at the top of that list owing to his behavior, dressing style, tattoos, piercings, different hair color styles, his affairs and who can ever forget that trip to Las Vegas in between the NBA Finals in 1998.
Unfortunately, Ja Morant seems to be following in Rodman’s footsteps, landing himself in one controversy after another. After he was suspended eight games for flashing a gun during an Instagram live video inside a Denver nightclub in March earlier this year, Morant once again was seen holding a gun while being filmed in a friend’s car just two months later.
A few days ago, the NBA announced that Morant would be suspended 25 games to start the 2023/24 season for conduct detrimental to the league.
While Morant apologized to the NBA, his team, his teammates, and the city of Memphis for his actions once again, his camp reportedly feels like the NBA and the media are out to get them. Speaking recently on Brian Windhorst’s podcast, NBA insider Tim MacMahon from ESPN said that the people that are close to Morant have this feeling that the NBA is out to get him and his camp.
“I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them. That the media is out to get them,” said MacMahon
Ja Morant’s camp reportedly feels like the NBA and the media are out to get them “I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them. That the media is out to get them.” (Via… pic.twitter.com/aheFNkJw7m— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 19, 2023
Related: Ja Morant NBA suspension: What are the terms for Grizzlies star’s behaviour?
Is this Ja Morant’s last chance?
Ja Morant (GETTY IMAGES)Ja Morant vowed to make it up to the fans and use this offseason and his suspension to continue to work on his mental health and decision-making, along with going through rigorous training to get himself ready to be back on the court once he is cleared to play.
The bigger issue here is America’s long-standing history with gun violence. Memphis, particularly, is a city that has struggled with the same, and for Morant to do what he did and be the role model he is to young kids and basketball players doesn’t do any good to his already damaged reputation.
While announcing the suspension, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was also quoted as saying, “For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
Imagine working hard your entire life, giving the sport you love all the blood, sweat and tears and finally achieving your dream, rising to become of the league’s biggest stars in a short span of time, only for it all to come crashing down because of irresponsible behavior. Morant really needs to get his act together and if anything like this ever happens again, he would probably be looking at saying his goodbyes to the league.
