Home/NBA

via Imago

via Imago

Several celebrities in the past have involved themselves in sketchy situations that have turned out to be difficult to get out of. Some have successfully gotten past those times with the help of good mentors and a sheer will to change their lives. Others haven’t. A similar fate of darkness looms over Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant, who has been the focus of three gun-related controversies recently. NBA legend Charles Barkley recently provided a stern warning to the 23-year-old superstar by citing the example of another young basketball prodigy who has effectively ruined his life after murdering an innocent woman.

Since Last Friday, Ja Morant and his future in the NBA has been branded with a huge question mark. While many analysts and fans wonder what is next for the Memphis Grizzlies superstar, Charles Barkley recently had some advice for him.

Charles Barkley provides a stern warning to Ja Morant using a tragic analogy

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In the recent episode of The Steam Room, Charles Barkley discussed the unfortunate ‘Ja Morant incident’. Morant has been suspended for an indefinite period by his team, as he was found showing off a handgun on his Instagram live.

via Imago

Although Chuck has previously given his opinion on the issue, this time he decided to explain the seriousness of the incident by bringing up the example of a horrific incident. Apparently, Chuck’s friend wanted him to write a column on the Ja Morant incident, after which Barkley revisited a recent heartbreaking incident where an Alabama basketball player was charged with capital murder for the killing of a young woman.

As an Auburn alumnus, Barkley was deeply hurt by the tragedy. Therefore, he brought it up to provide a stern warning for Morant, whose antics have hurt the 1993 MVP too. That’s how quickly your life can change. One day this dude is playing basketball, he killed this girl. He’s going to jail for the rest of his life,” said Barkley.

He further added, “…With Ja Morant, he’s had three gun incidents. One gun incident is too many, three is way too many. But I was using that analogy of the young kid in Alabama, one minute you’re 18-19 years old, you do something really stupid, you kill a young lady, your life is over.

The “kid” in discussion is Darius Miles, who according to Alabama.com, was charged with capital murder for the killing of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris. Chuck provided the example of the Alabama basketball player to try to make him realize the consequences of his actions. Barkley also highlighted Ja’s unnecessary ‘gangster’ behaviour despite his $200 million contract.

ALSO READ: Charles Barkley Goes Haywire on Ja Morant: ?Gonna Make $231 Million for Dribbling a Stupid Basketball, All He Gotta Do Is Don?t Be a Damn Fool?

Meanwhile, co-host Ernie Johnson also expressed his hope that Ja goes through a learning curve and is able to dodge something serious. Whether Morant is listening to all of this or not, but Barkley surely did his due diligence in warning the young star.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The aftermath of Ja Morant’s ‘gun’ incident

Morant has been indefinitely suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies after they banned him for at least two games in an official statement. This could also hurt his endorsements. Although in an official statement, the sports brand Nike has said it will “support” the 23-year-old amidst the investigation, Powerade, another one of Morant’s sponsors has apparently deleted an Instagram advertisement featuring Ja.

Watch This Story: $231 million, Ja Morant sees himself with Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and John Stockton in his long-term NBA legacy

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Additionally, it is yet to be seen what the NBA finds out with their investigation. If found guilty of any wrongdoing, Ja might be suspended for a very long time.