Ja Morant is in his redemption arc. He gave the Memphis Grizzlies a much-needed revival, leading the team to a 115-113 victory over the Pelicans. It was enough to win over one of his harshest critics, Shaquille O’Neal to his side. By all accounts, he and the well-poised Pelicans made this a thrilling game to watch. All the NBA analysts who ripped into him before are glad he’s making up for that void he left in the team.

The TNT crew lauded Morant’s 34-point game with Shaq acknowledging that he’s showing amazing improvement. “Young fella made a mistake,” Shaq said referring to the incident that kept Morant out of the season so far. “He did his time, he paid his dues, he didn’t complain,” and that impressed Shaq.

The Ja-less Grizzlies were having a slow season at 6-19, going against the Pelicans. They needed his reinvigorating factor to make it 7-19 and perhaps, make their way all the way to the playoffs. With their ‘villain’ back, Memphis is letting out a sigh of relief. Big Diesel is too.

“Like we say in the streets, he came back but he came back with that look. I was concerned… but he’s a dawg. And only dawgs do not stop, they don’t quit,” Shaq said. After Morant went 34-8-6 in only 35 minutes of play, including that mind-blowing buzzer-beater to clinch the game, he had all of O’Neal’s respect. He even said he was happy not just for the 24-year-old but for his family too.

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Before the game began, Shaq laid his expectations for Morant clearly. “If I’m Ja Morant, I know everything is my fault. I’m taking on that villain role and I’m going for [a playoff spot].” This is a big turnaround from O’Neal’s previous sentiments.

Shaq’s tough love for Ja Morant

The NBA suspended Ja Morant for 25 games after he brandished a firearm on social media more than once. It caused quite a stir and riled up the folks at Inside the NBA. Shaq and Charles Barkley were the hardest on him.

While on NBA on TNT, Shaq plainly stated it was a “bad decision” on Morant’s part and he had no excuses. “You’re not a rapper, you’re an NBA player,” he conveyed to Morant indirectly. He also advised that Morant should think about his family when he makes a “dumb decision.”

It appears Morant has taken heed of all the NBA veterans’ advice to him. Now it remains to be seen if he’ll fulfill Shaq’s Christmas wish by taking the Grizzlies to the playoffs.

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