“Sh*t Was Swept Under the Rug”: Suspended Ja Morant Relished Numerous Infamous Privileges in Memphis After Aiding Grizzlies’ Troubled Past

The Memphis Grizzlies will have their work cut out this season, as they will be without franchise cornerstone Ja Morant. Morant landed himself in hot water after flashing a firearm on Instagram earlier. The NBA suspended Morant for twenty-five games without pay, which will result in him losing approximately $7.5 million dollars. Morant’s case is a cautionary tale about the ill effects of vices like money, fame, and power.

Even though it has been five months since the incident, the finer details regarding Ja’s behavior have only now come to light.

Ja Morant’s Surprising Transformation

The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Ja Morant with the second pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Grizzlies took a huge punt on Ja and his potential because Morant was an unfancied and under-recruited guard coming out of Murray State. But from the very moment, Morant stepped foot in the NBA, his superstar potential was very evident. He breathed life into the dull and mediocre Grizzlies franchise. The Grizzlies selected him with the second pick largely due to his respectful and humble demeanor, as well as his strong work ethic. This makes his recent transformation from a consummate professional to a wannabe gangster even more puzzling.

But ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Tim MacMahon have shed some light on events leading up to Ja’s suspension. The article details the poor handling by the Grizzlies hierarchy of Morant’s growing lack of professionalism. On certain occasions, Ja appeared to be hungover during team meetings and, on many instances, arrived late to meetings.

A source in the article states, “There was no discipline. They felt like they could do anything they wanted. In my opinion, the enabling was out of control. Just constant. Definitely sh*t was swept under the rug”. Morant signed a five-year contract worth $194 million dollars, the biggest in the Grizzlies franchise history, in July 2022. But with him being suspended for the start of the season, Memphis has their work cut out.

Can Memphis Cope without Morant?

The Memphis Grizzlies have always coped well with Morant’s absence. In fact, Memphis’ record has been spectacular, they have won 33 games out of 50. But they have lost their backup point guard, Tyus Jones. Jones’ efficiency and pass-first mentality was crucial in Memphis coping well with Ja’s absence.

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The Grizzlies also lost the defensive presence of ‘Villain’ Dillion Brooks in free agency. They have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) in Jaren Jackson Jr. and a sharpshooter in Desmond Bane. The Grizzlies have also added the veteran presence of Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart in the backcourt. With the NBA title up for grabs, Ja Morant needs to clean up his act if he really wants a “Parade inside his City”.

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