The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies’ star player, Ja Morant, for eight games after he flashed a firearm in a Denver nightclub earlier this month. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Morant’s conduct as “irresponsible, reckless, and potentially very dangerous.”
The Grizzlies have been struggling in his absence, with three losses to the Lakers, Clippers, and Heat and three wins against Golden State and Dallas. The team has a history of playing well without Morant, but officials know that a deep playoff run won’t happen without him leading the way.
Morant has been having an All-NBA caliber season, but there are concerns that he won’t be the same player when he returns. However, in an interview with ESPN’s Jalen Rose, he said he is in a better space mentally than he’s been “in many years.” He’s seeing therapists, practicing Reiki, a form of meditation, and using breathing techniques to cope with anxiety.
Morant has apologized for the incident at the club, calling it “a terrible mistake.” He said he realizes what he has to lose and has learned to be more responsible and smarter. Morant has a new perspective, but there are doubts about whether his response to the incident has been well-scripted or not. Mental health issues should be taken seriously, and if there is a PR playbook, Morant is running it.
The suspension will cost Morant $668,000 in salary, a relatively insignificant number when considering his five-year, $194 million extension that kicks in next season. He wants to show everyone “who Ja really is” moving forward, including his teammates, who have publicly supported him.
The Grizzlies have seen their hold on the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference vanish over the past two weeks, but they have the second-easiest remaining schedule, per Tankathon.com, with games against Houston, Orlando, and San Antonio.
There will be challenges ahead for the Grizzlies, with Brandon Clarke, a valuable role player, done for the year due to a torn Achilles. The team held a players-only meeting just before Morant’s gun brandishing incident in Denver, where Steven Adams spoke out about the need for more maturity on road trips, a message some believed was directed at Morant.
However, the team has been supportive of Morant, and they will welcome him with open arms when he returns to practice on Monday. Morant said he wants to change the narrative around him and is ready to push for a ring.
“When I get back out there, I’m going to be ready to go. Ready to push for a ring.”
– Ja Morant 🔥
(Via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/KzjHy2L6An
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 16, 2023
What are the chances of Ja Morant and the Grizzlies making it to the playoffs?
The team has a good chance of making it to the playoffs in 2023. The Grizzlies have been steadily improving over the past few seasons, with a young and talented core of players that includes Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Dillon Brooks.
Furthermore, the Grizzlies have made some smart off-season moves in recent years, such as acquiring Jonas Valanciunas and drafting promising young players like Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams. With these additions and the continued growth of their young stars, the Grizzlies are poised to make a strong run at the playoffs in the coming seasons.
Ja Morant is leading the grizzlies in points and assists with 27.4PPG and 6.4APG. On the other hand, Steven Adams leads the rebounds with 10.0 RPG. Of course, there are always uncertainties in the world of sports, such as injuries and unforeseen setbacks, but the Grizzlies have the talent and potential to make it to the postseason in 2023. It will certainly be an exciting journey to watch, and I look forward to cheering on the team as they work toward their goals.
