Ja Morant has received his suspension but now some of his true feelings are coming out. Following his suspension, Morant and his team is said to believe that he thinks the NBA and media are out to get him.
According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, Morant thinks there is a coordinated effort against him.
“I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them,” McMahon said. “That the media is out to get them.”
Following the announcment of a 25-game suspension, Nike released a statement supporting Ja Morant. The statement came minutes after Silver’s decision, offering support during his forthcoming suspension.
“We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being,” Nike said. “We will continue to support him on and off the court.”
The NBA Players Association is speaking out against the length of the suspension received by Ja Morant.
Ja Morant is suspended by the NBA for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA season. The suspension is said to have conditions for his return to the Memphis Grizzlies.
As part of the suspension, Morant cannot participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games. Morant will lose just over $300,000 per game. He will need to complete a league-created program before he can return.
“Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said in a statement. “As to the discipline imposed … we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons, including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league.”
In a statement, the NBA said Morant “wielded the firearm while knowing that he was being recorded … despite having made commitments to the NBA and public statements that he would not repeat the conduct for which he was previously disciplined.”
“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said in a statement issued Friday. “I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.
“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”
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