Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN analyst, had some harsh words for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant after his recent social media post showing him flashing a gun. This is the second incident in two months involving Morant and firearms, and Smith believes that the blame rests squarely on the 23-year-old’s shoulders.
“It’s really hard to put this into words, but I’m going to try,” Smith began. “Ja Morant is a two-time All-Star, a rising star in this league. But he just doesn’t want to listen. He’s been given every opportunity to succeed, but he continues to make poor decisions that put his future in doubt.”
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Smith then went on to criticize Morant’s behavior, which has drawn condemnation from both his on-court colleagues and the wider NBA community. The Grizzlies have suspended him, and he may also have his Nike sponsorship deal put on pause.
“Let’s be clear here, this isn’t the first time that Ja Morant has been involved in a gun incident. He should have learned from the first time, but he didn’t. He’s a role model to young kids, and he’s not setting a good example. He needs to take responsibility for his actions and understand that there are consequences to his behavior,” he added.
Smith then brought up the 2019 NBA Draft, in which Morant was selected second overall, behind Zion Williamson. He suggested that Morant’s recent behavior might cause him to fall behind his draft peers in terms of performance and potential.
“Between Zion Williamson’s poor conditioning and Ja Morant’s stupidity, R.J. Barrett might end up being the best pick. And that’s saying something, considering how much I’ve criticized Barrett in the past. But the fact is, he’s the only one of the three who seems to be taking his career seriously,” he further added.
Smith’s remarks came off as a scathing rebuke of Morant’s behavior, and he made it clear that he believes the young star needs to take a long, hard look at himself and his actions. Whether Morant will heed Smith’s words remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the ESPN analyst has no patience for this kind of reckless behavior that Morant has exhibited in recent months.
Ja Morant’s Troubling Actions: A Tale of NBA Stardom and Accountability
Ja Morant, the star guard of the Memphis Grizzlies, has recently been in the news for the wrong reasons yet again. The 23-year-old NBA player was seen holding a gun during an Instagram Live video. This comes after he was suspended for eight games earlier for holding a firearm while being intoxicated in a Denver nightclub.
Ja Morant, who was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was also left out of the All-NBA selection this season, which cost him $30 million. Although the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference during the 2022-23 regular season, they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers.
Ja Morant was previously reprimanded by the NBA for posting a video on Instagram Live, where he was seen flashing a gun at a Denver strip club. While he apologized for his actions, he was recently seen holding a gun again in a video streamed from his friend’s Instagram account.
That was not even the first time Ja Morant had been in the midst of controversy. He allegedly punched a teenager during a basketball game in his hometown in Tennessee and was seen with a gun visible in the waistband of his pants and his hand on the weapon. Additionally, he was involved in a verbal altercation with Memphis police when he and his friends allegedly refused to leave a mall parking lot.
Ja Morant’s actions have raised concerns among fans and NBA officials alike. The league has strict rules against the use of firearms, and players are expected to maintain a certain level of professionalism on and off the court. The Memphis Grizzlies have yet to comment on the matter, but it is clear that Ja Morant’s behavior is unacceptable and could have serious consequences for his career.
It is essential for athletes to be aware of the impact of their actions, both on themselves and those around them. Ja Morant’s recent actions highlight the importance of athletes being held accountable for their behavior, regardless of their position or status. It is now up to Ja Morant to take responsibility for his actions and work towards making amends for the harm he has caused.
