Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is facing a lengthy suspension from the NBA should it be able to authenticate the latest social-media video in which he is brandishing a firearm, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The league is investigating the video to make certain it was not “doctored” or altered in any way. It marks the second time in less than six months that Morant has been seen on video brandishing a gun.
If it proves to be real, Morant could be suspended for 50 games or more in 2023-24, sources told Hoops Wire.
Morant, 23, was suspended eight games by the NBA in March for the first incident, and needed to undergo a series of steps before being eligible to return. That included meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Morant also reportedly underwent counseling in Florida as a result of the first incident.
During Morant’s meeting with Silver, the commissioner “took him at his word that he would make better decisions,” Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown.
With team owners and executives concerned about how Morant’s behavior is impacting the league’s image, Silver could be pressured into handing down an even more intense punishment this time.
“I sense already that Adam Silver’s going to feel increasing pressure from other teams in the league who see this, as much as it impacts the Grizzlies, that it impacts them and their ability to market their players and their teams,” Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown.
Morant had another outstanding season on the court, averaging 26.2 points, 8.1 assists and 6.9 rebounds. But despite finishing with the No. 2 overall seed in the Western Conference playoffs, Morant and the Grizzlies were eliminated by the Lakers in the first round.
Memphis has already announced a suspension from offseason activities for Morant.
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Guns will not be the discussion of this comment, way too debatable. Less of a debate and has a clear statistically significant presence in violent death data, poor health death data, and automobile death data. Yes it rhymes with alcohol, and we don’t like to admit it, because it’s part of our culture. Alcohol.
Analytics people, pop quiz. Of these two, which/who poses more of a risk to human life in the United States?
a) Ja Morant, who posted two videos of himself holding a gun in his hands.
b) Alcohol, promoted daily by the NBA, celebrated, advertised, and in an arena near you.
The NBA is connected to alcohol in the form of monetary greed, while ignoring or minimizing death statistics, and selling people poison (literally, poison).
IF the NBA truly cares about each life, they could easily sever their partnerships with the alcohol industry, stop advertising it, and stop serving drinks in arenas.
So yeah they’ll punish Ja. Then they’ll punish the next guy for the next statistically insignificant thing, with that boozed up elephant across the room safe from discussion for as far as the eye can see..