The setting didn’t inspire Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to provide much introspection.
Morant didn’t explain why he flashed a gun on two separate Instagram Live videos within a two-month span. Morant didn’t detail what league-imposed requirements he fulfilled while serving a 25-game suspension to open the 2022-23 season. Morant didn’t share much about his recent conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, other than calling it “good.”
Amid his expected return on Tuesday when the Grizzlies visit the New Orleans Pelicans, Morant did not offer many specifics in a press conference on Friday. Morant declined to use that platform to rehabilitate his image in what marked his first public comments since the Grizzlies’ second-round playoff exit to the Los Angeles Lakers in late April. Instead, Morant showed some candor on how he would address skepticism on whether he will change his behavior.
“I can’t make nobody believe me outside of my actions,” Morant told reporters. “Me answering these questions are just words, and probably won’t mean nothing to nobody.”
No, it probably won’t. Morant showed in the past year that his words mean very little, which means his past efforts with addressing his misbehavior won’t work this time around.
Ja Morant can’t reach into past to explain behavior
Morant can’t criticize the media for documenting his misdeeds anymore.
Morant already did that after The Athletic reported that his acquaintances confronted members of the Indiana Pacers’ traveling bus by the Grizzlies’ arena load dock before Morant was among the passengers on a slow-moving car that trained a red laser on them. Though an NBA investigation confirmed the confrontation, it said it “could not corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon.” Exactly a month later, Morant then flashed a gun while recording an Instagram Live video at a Denver nightclub.
Morant can’t go on a media tour and offer a mea culpa filled with platitudes anymore.
Morant already did that after first flashing a gun on social media, which prompted the NBA to issue him an eight-game suspension. In a statement, Morant said, “I take full responsibility for my actions” before apologizing to his family, coaches, teammates, sponsors, the Grizzlies’ franchise and the city of Memphis. Shortly after meeting with Silver at the NBA’s league office, Morant then spoke with former ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose for a televised interview. Then, Morant stressed that his social media behavior is “not who I am.” About two months later, Morant showed off a gun on another Instagram Live video while sitting in the front seat of a friend’s car.
Morant can’t make direct or indirect references toward needing to address mental health anymore.
Morant already did that following both IG Live episodes. He entered a counseling program in Florida during his first suspension, and told Rose he worked on techniques to handle stress. Although he didn’t share specifics presumably for understandable privacy reasons during his second suspension, Morant described his therapy sessions as “eye opening” that “gave me a new look on life.”
Generally, it would be unfair to expect any person to improve his or her mental health in linear fashion. But the NBA and the Grizzlies said that Morant had to meet unspecified benchmarks before ensuring he could return following his 25-game suspension, suggesting they wouldn’t clear him to play until he addressed those issues. During the NBA’s In-Season tournament, Silver told reporters that he has talked with Morant weekly. He added, “to the best of my knowledge, he’s complied with everything he’s been asked to do.”
Ja Morant: ‘The change will be my decision making’
Even if the 24-year-old Morant has plenty of time to further develop as a two-time All-Star and lead the Grizzlies to an NBA championship, he doesn’t have such a luxury with proving he will avoid another off-the-court incident. Morant conceded that he already has “made a lot of mistakes,” which has included allegations he assaulted a minor during a pickup basketball game at his home. Should Morant make another serious mishap? It would mean that Morant actually hasn’t understood or cared about the gravity of his past behavior. It would mean that Morant cited mental health concerns to shield himself from accountability.
“I can’t go away from being Ja,” he told reporters. “I feel like that’s the most important thing – not trying to lose myself and be somebody that I’m not and act totally different. But the change will be my decision making, and how I go about my daily life of being an NBA player, father, role model, brother and son. I’m just focusing on that – being the best Ja that I can be.”
To become the best version of himself, Morant said he has prioritized “protecting my peace” by “doing whatever keeps me happy and in a good mood” with family members and with the team. Per the terms of his suspension, Morant has still consistently practiced with the Grizzlies both to keep his conditioning and game sharp as well as immerse himself with his teammates.
To a man, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and Morant’s teammates have all applauded his work habits, his presence and his attitude. Memphis guard Marcus Smart, who had once been the Boston Celtics’ emotional leader with both the team’s stars and role players for nine seasons, said that he stressed to Morant, “don’t feel like you let anybody down and that no one wants to be around you.”
That’s because the Grizzlies trust that Morant won’t mess up again. After all, Morant has shown some contrition. Though he expressed appreciation for his family and the Grizzlies supporting him, Morant revealed he felt responsible for Memphis (6-18) falling to 13th place in the Western Conference in the 2023-24 season.
“Definitely some guilt in that,” Morant said. “I’m not out on the floor, and obviously no one likes losing. Our job is to go out there and get a win. I take full responsibility of that. Even though I’m not there on the floor, the decisions I made didn’t allow me to be out there.”
Morant maintained that he’s “not worried at all” with the Grizzlies’ current struggles. He praised Memphis power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and shooting guard Desmond Bane for playing at what he called “an All-Star level and All-NBA level.” He touted Smart and guard Derrick Rose for their veteran leadership. He stressed the Grizzlies still have plenty of time to improve their record.
Morant’s presence might not be enough, though. The Grizzlies entered the Monday schedule 10 games behind second place in the West, the position they held last season. Memphis has nursed season-ending injuries to Steven Adams (right knee) and Brandon Clarke (left Achilles tendon). And though Morant’s return will dramatically change the Grizzlies’ identity with his scoring, playmaking and speed, he will experience inevitable short-term rust.
Morant can’t fully control all of those issues. He can control his behavior, though, an attribute that will determine his NBA longevity much more than his actual basketball resume.
“I’m not happy that it happened,” Morant said of his suspension. “But I’m also grateful that I had this opportunity to reflect and do things that were not only needed for me, but for my family as well to realize pretty much all that was at stake and ways to keep each other happy.”
Mark Medina in an NBA insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.