Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is being scrutinized by NBA fans and media alike. Even Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL star and now sports analyst called him out recently for his behavior and trying to act like a thug. As we all know, Morant is one of the flashiest and most electric players to watch in the NBA today.
Ja Morant addressed a reported postgame confrontation between Pacers players and his friends:
“All that stuff, pretty much false. It’s been proven. That’s all I’ve got to say on it.”
“I’m protecting my energy. Not responding to nobody else. Not entertaining nobody else.” pic.twitter.com/fRbcnKok8D
— Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) February 7, 2023
One of his few flaws is his tendency to extensively trash-talk and act tougher than the situation deemed necessary. All of this is somewhat fine on the basketball court. However, when incidents leave it and spill into the real world, accountability is a must.
With that being said, let us take a deeper look at what Morant has now put himself into and his response to it all. Additionally, we should also know how Shannon and the other NBA fans feel about all of this.
NBA fans call out Ja Morant and support Shanon Sharpe in critiquing him
Ja and the Grizzlies had just beaten the Indiana Pacers, who were leaving the parking lot in a team bus. Ja and his friends were in an SUV, passing the bus. One of them decided to flash a laser at the bus. This sent the team into a state of panic as they were worried that Morant’s friends were carrying firearms and trying to make a scene.
FedEx Forum has banned Ja Morant’s associates for “pointing a laser, believed to be attached to a gun, toward Pacers’ players, coaches and others in the loading area,” per @ESPN.
Ja Morant was riding in the SUV where the laser was seen coming from. pic.twitter.com/IzuYN79o5m
— Unbiased NBA Fan (@nonbiasednbafan) February 6, 2023
The NBA discredited the idea of a gun being carried by Morant’s friends to the Pacers game. it also couldn’t corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon. An investigation soon followed and no evidence was found supporting the claims made by the Indiana Pacers.
Nonetheless, the optics are not good fam. Where is your PR team to push back on this?
— Wendell Mosby (@WendellMosby) February 6, 2023
Despite Morant turning to social media and defending himself and his friends, he is still being called out for his reckless actions and thug-like mentality. This is something that an NBA player on his level simply does not need to take part in. Nonetheless, Ja’s friends were banned from the Pacers stadium for the rest of their lives.
Brody …. I sit down there with these fools every game …they start shit with everybody … players , Refs , opposing fans
Your circle has problems bro …. Your skills will get you and your family all you’ll ever need … but stop playing like some of these dudes ain’t a problem
— Zach Myers (@ZMyersOfficial) February 6, 2023
Fans chose to speak out against Morant for this incident, “You’re a fraud, and Shannon Sharpe is your real daddy.”
You’re a fraud, and Shannon Sharpe is your real daddy.
— Gregg Burke (@GreggBurke51) February 7, 2023
To those who do not know, Shannon Sharpe is also an African-American athlete who made it in the sports world. He would certainly understand the emotions and energy in Ja’s mind throughout all of this. Sharpe was very critical of Morant and pointed out that Ja was simply throwing away his life by engaging in this form of behavior.
“That’s not your life. People that in that life would give anything to be in your life.”
Ja Morant shouldn’t be roaming around with his friends trying to act all hood and gangsta. Not when he has a responsibility to an entire franchise and millions of fans across the world. When he later defended his friends, fans still called him out for being linked to that kind of life.
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