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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

NBA superstar Ja Morant is arguably one of the most explosive players in the league. In his third NBA season last year, Morant had a huge jump in scoring averages. And he won the NBA?s Most Improved Player award.

The high-flying guard also had a good playoffs run this year but ended up beaten by the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors. Even though Stephen Curry and the Warriors won the series in six games, the Memphis Grizzlies didn?t make it easy. It was a fiery contest between the two teams and perhaps one of the most physical in recent times.

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Even though Ja Morant only played three games in the series due to injury, he showed his mettle in those games. He scored 34 points each in two games and had a massive 47-point game as well. Interestingly, Morant had some heated moments with the Warriors on and off the court. Notably, he went back and forth with Draymond Green on social media.

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Throughout the playoffs, Ja Morant had constant support on the sidelines from his father, Tee Morant. Many fans loved his father?s antics on the sidelines and his uncanny resemblance with musician Usher. However, he received criticism on social media over his newfound fame.

Ja Morant defends his father

Tee Morant was seen hugging Stephen Curry after a loss and received backlash for trying to steal the spotlight. After being bashed on the internet, he wore a t-shirt with the caption ?Proud Supportive Black Dad!!!?. It looked like he wanted to remind the fans that he was just being a supportive father on the sidelines.

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Recently, Ja was asked about this during a podcast with Bleacher Report. He said, “My dad is like you said, a friendly guy. Like, everybody loves him… Show everybody love no matter if he knew you for years or three minutes. He treats everybody the same, and that?s you know with love and care. For me growing up I always said that he was my first hater. So now to see him on the sidelines running up and down. Jumping up cheering, it was different for me as well.”

Ja said that his father?s support gave him even more confidence. He continued, “All right if he?s cheering and he?s happy then I know I?m doing something right.” Speaking about the criticism his father received, Ja said that his father is a grown man who can do whatever he wants.

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The Memphis Grizzlies star also stated that every child needs that type of support from their parents. Furthermore, he said that he can’t understand how someone could get bashed for being a supportive father or a mother.