“I’m not trying to dunk at all”— Ja Morant boldly declared after the Mavericks ended the Grizzlies’ 7-game winning streak. For those who might doubt his sincerity, he already clarified that he’s “dead serious.” The electrifying dunks that have defined his career will no longer be part of his range, as Morant steps away from his signature move to focus on other aspects of his game. Stunned by his decision, a former NBA star sent a message to the point guard.

It quickly became a hot topic on Off Guard with Austin Rivers, where the host began by commending Morant and his team for their solid 15-8 record. He then shifted to discuss Morant’s comment which, in his opinion, felt out of place, considering he’s only been in the league for just five seasons. Rivers then stated that had Jaylen Brown, who’s a “dunk guy” too, remarked, it would have made more sense. For starters, the Celtics swingman has more experience, according to River, and last season’s playoff run could have taken a toll on his health. Whereas, neither Morant played in the Olympics nor went deep in the playoffs. So, he should be out there doing his thing, as it is his area of strength and could lead to more sponsorship opportunities, Rivers believes.

Rivers claimed that Morant is “the bounciest dude.” He went on to justify this, saying, “I know it because I turned on the TV a couple weeks ago, and I saw him somersault 360 through the air do layups.” The 32-year-old highlighted, “That’s why you’re box office. That’s why your sneakers are gonna sell. That’s why anything you advertise, whether it’s a Sprite or whatever he’s a part of I’m not saying he’s a part of those companies, but whatever it is, that’s how they’re gonna that’s how it’s gonna sell. That’s how you’re gonna get paid, bro.”

In addition to his $38 million annual salary from the NBA, Morant is blessed to have endorsement deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, and Powerade, which contribute to his $50 million net worth. Rivers believes his signature shoe line would sell even more if he doesn’t quit dunking. However, has his reason behind putting an end to it.

Ja Morant explains the reason behind giving up dunking

Injury has been a major concern for Ja Morant this season. Having dealt with knee, shoulder, hip, and back injuries in the past, he is now focused on preserving his body. In less than two months coming into this season, Morant has missed 10 games after injuring himself while attempting a one-handed alley-oop dunk. That no longer seems worth it for the 2-time All-Star, so he made up his mind.

“Sometimes I get knocked out the air and (a foul) don’t get called, and now I’m out longer than what I’m supposed to be,” Morant told ESPN. He added, “Sometimes the foul might get called; I still hit the floor, but after the game you might feel that little fall. So I just pick and choose, man. Hey, two points is two points. I get it done. That’s all that matters.”

The Grizzlies have finally found their rhythm this season and secured the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings. As their star player, Morant aims to lead them to a successful season. To achieve this, he understands the importance of staying fit, even if it means sacrificing some of his high-flying plays. Do you think Morant has made the right decision, or do you side with Rivers on this? Share your thoughts below!