Ja Morant’s recent behavior on social media, where he was seen waving a gun during a live stream, has generated negative attention. It also damaged his public image. As a result of this concerning behavior, the Memphis Grizzlies player has received a well-deserved suspension from the team. It will sideline him for at least the next two games. Stephen A. Smith also shared his views about this matter.
Stephen A. Smith, the ESPN host, delivered a message to Morant about the potential trajectory of his career if he continues down his current path.
Smith acknowledged his respect for Morant’s statement on the matter. He offered some tough love, coming from a place of support, to help the young athlete face the reality of his situation.
Drawing a comparison between the situation and Allen Iverson, who is similarly known for associating with controversial figures, Smith identified a crucial difference between the two.
“When you look at Ja Morant, the one thing that I find incredibly alarming, there was so much stuff that Allen Iverson took hits for that had nothing to do with him but everything to do with the company he kept. … In this particular instance, that’s Ja on film. That’s Ja that you see on the TMZ video. He had no choice but to own that,” said Stephen A.
What was Stephen A. Smith’s message to Morant?
Smith proceeded to speak directly to Morant.
“Let me look in the camera and say what I’m about to say to Ja Morant. You are a superstar. You’re 23 years old. You’ve got a deal that kicks in next year that could exceed $231 million over the next five years. And on this show, on national television, there’s you associated with the police. Think about that for a second and then ask yourself, ‘is it really, really worth it?’ You know the answer to that, bro.”
I covered Allen Iverson for the first 10 years of his career. He took a lot of hits for the company he kept.
Ja Morant’s fault is his own, and I’m proud of him for owning it.
But he needs to get it together. pic.twitter.com/hDqLYNzmUo
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 5, 2023
Even before the recent gun incident, Ja Morant was embroiled in controversy. It was because of accusations linking him to two distinct episodes of violence.
As the Memphis Grizzlies are considered strong contenders this season with much to prove on the court, fans are hoping that their superstar will focus solely on battles within the hardwood. It will be good for both the team and Morant’s overall career.
