Bad Video Barrage Leads Memphis Grizzlies Star Suspended Indefinitely
Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant is suspended indefinitely for flashing a gun in his recent Instagram live story.
Last year, Ja punched a 17-year-old and exposed a gun to him during the pick-up game.
Morant wasn’t charged with a crime and has maintained he acted in self-defense. According to The Washington Post, the teenager claims Morant went into his house and re-emerged with a gun after the fight. The gun was visible in the waistband of his pants, and his hand was on the weapon.
The incident reportedly occurred four days after a security guard at the Memphis mall filed a police report alleging that Morant threatened him and got shoved by one of Ja’s associates, though no arrests occurred.
Ja Morant’s Instagram Tell All
Morant, 23, was at a gentleman’s club in Colorado. Since showing the gun, he’s apologized to the team and stepped away due to having “mental health” issues.
Statement from Ja Morant via his agent, Jim Tanner: pic.twitter.com/jXzs7HvLvG — Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) March 4, 2023
Although Colorado is a state that’s “open carry,” meaning an adult doesn’t need a permit to carry a gun in public restaurants, bars, or plain sight.
However, Ja could still get into trouble due to the Colorado Revised Statutes instructing that a person possessing a firearm while under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol commits a class two misdemeanor, leading to 120 days in jail.
The video didn’t expose Morant taking drugs or drinking in the video where he showcased the gun. So it shouldn’t be an issue for the All-Star Guard.
The Sharpe Curse
The Memphis Grizzlies season has been spiraling since their issues started after their showdown with Shannon Sharpe (Unc) against the Los Angeles Lakers in a 122-121 defeat.
The team wanted “smoke” with Shannon, and ever since the heated exchange, the Grizzlies lost more games than they’ve won, losing 11 of their last 19 regular season games. In their previous ten games, the team is 6-4.
The smoke is still there. The Grizzlies trolled Unc when they beat a Lakers team missing their star player, LeBron “The King” James.
It’s embarrassing that Ja is proving Shannon Sharpe’s theory of who he is as a person. Sharpe already thinks he’s a thug. “I wish Ja would realize he’s not a thug. Ja is an outstanding basketball player. Ja did everything he could to lift himself and his family out of this environment and escape this,” Sharpe said. “And for some reason, he wants to surround himself with these people.” Ja is easily a top five in his position.
Acquaintances of Ja Morant reportedly aggressively confronted members of the Pacers organization: "I wish Ja would realize he's not a thug. You're not about that life! No one looks at you and thinks you're hood. Stop pretending!!" — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/YSmx9lJKjC — UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 6, 2023
Unc’s statements were made weeks before the Instagram video and reported about Morant’s alleged scuffle broke out. Ja could have character issues.
Is the “Sharpe Curse” really a thing? Anyone can make their arguments whether it’s real or not, but bad things have been happening for Morant since the Grizzlies went face to face with Sharpe.
The Grizzlies Should Be Worried
With few games left in the season, Ja’s expected to be on a 50-game suspension. The Grizzlies sit at No. 2 in the Western Conference (38-25), eight games behind the No. 1 seed Nuggets (46-19).
The Grizzlies can quickly fall down the western conference standings if they keep losing. The teams in the top 12 of the Western Conference are trying to make a push. If that happens and the Grizzlies manage to fall to the 11th or 12th seed in the standings, their season will be over.
However, once upon a time, the Grizzlies did win 21 of their 27 games earlier this season without Morant. But down the stretch, the team needs to play better basketball.
Only time will tell where the Grizzlies will be at the end of the season, but it only looks promising with their star player.
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