Ja Morant has been suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team, the Grizzlies announced.
The move follows an exchange after Friday’s loss to the Lakers in which coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant’s leadership and effort, and Morant responded in an inappropriate tone, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Morant struggled again in that loss. He scored eight points on 3-for-14 shooting and repeatedly brushed off questions about his play by telling reporters to “go ask the coaching staff,” via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
He went even further when pressed.
“According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly,” Morant said.
Josh Robbins of The Athletic noted Morant hasn’t topped 31:33 in any game this season. He was also targeted defensively by Luka Doncic, who scored 44. Morant insisted he is not dealing with any physical limitations.
Former All-Star Blake Griffin, now with Amazon Prime Video, questioned Morant’s posture. Griffin said that for a $40 million leader, “I just don’t love it,” via Robbins.
Morant is shooting 40.6 percent from the field and just 15.6 percent on threes. Memphis is 3-3. He is in Year 3 of a five-year, $197.2 million deal.
He has been through controversy before. This is a new flavor of it — and suggests friction with the current staff.
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What does what he makes per year have to do with anything here?
The payment is for basketball services rendered. Whether it’s 40 Mil or 20 bucks..
They are required to answer questions at the end of the game. Punishing for answers you don’t like, and bringing up the money made for basketball services as a reason to punish for answers you don’t like, is super shady. connecting the two.. That’s especially weak of B Griffin.. who makes clear why he was given the Mike.. to continue the unnecessary/irrelevant critique and cheap shots at top basketball talent who the media traditionally uses as a punching bag for behaviors that are spun differently for non-villain narrative players.
Meanwhile, Grizzlies are digging their own grave. Good luck with that approach.