ja morant

Ja Morant Speaks: “The Gun Wasn’t Mine… I Don’t Condone Violence”

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Earlier today (March 15), the news of Ja Morant’s suspension set the sports world ablaze. It has been an intense time for the Memphis Grizzlies star, who at 23 years old has mapped out a lengthy, successful career in the NBA. However, he’s hit a few missteps, and in recent weeks, Morant’s goals seem to be unraveling in real time. Retired ballers like Stephen Jackson have vocalized support for Morant, telling him he made a mistake and could move forward. Others have questioned why it seemed that Morant was trying to appear tougher than he is, advising him to leave the street life behind. Now, the basketball star is speaking out in his first interview since his scandals began.

First, there was news that Morant was involved in a scuffle during a pick-up game. He’s accused of assaulting a 17-year-old basketball player during a confrontation and displaying a gun. He soon denied the allegations. Later, while on Livestream at a bar, Morant flashed a firearm, further pushing him into the depths of controversy. “The gun wasn’t mine,” he told former baller and sports analyst Jalen Rose for ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence, but I’ve taken responsibility for my actions. But in the future, I’m going to show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about, and change this narrative that everybody got.”

Ja Morant Is Ready For A New Beginning

It was also recently announced Morant was suspended eight games for engaging in behaviors detrimental to the league. This news came days after it was shared that the sports star was admitted to a counseling program in Florida. NBA commissioner Adam Silver condemned Morant’s actions, and the basketball star spoke about what their private conversation was like. “It was good—pretty much an open discussion,” he said.

“Obviously, he said things I need to be better at, but more of just showing his support towards me. I accepted that, and I also sent my apologies to everybody—to the league, myself, my teammates, my family for putting that negativity towards all of us with a bad decision.” As if the assault allegations and the firearm weren’t enough, photos of Morant having the time of his life at a strip club also went viral. He told Rose he was trying to be “free” and wanted to get away from the chaos.

An Explanation About The Strip Club Photo

“I used that as an escape, which I shouldn’t have,” Morant said. “I feel like that’s the reason I made many bad decisions in my past, which doesn’t pretty much describe me, doesn’t describe Ja as a person. I’m a totally different person than what’s been shown in the media. That’s my job now. That’s why I took that time away, to become a better Ja, so everybody really can see who Ja really is and you know what he’s about.” The full interview airs this evening.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Ja Morant Receives Eight-Game Suspension from NBA

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Ja Morant Will Not be Charged by Colorado Authorities, Will Miss Next 4 Games

Ja Morant has received an eight-game suspension from the NBA.

The announcement covers the six games he will miss, including the Wednesday game at Miami. Morant can rejoin the team this Monday when the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Dallas Mavericks. That is the same day the Grizz allowed Morant to return.

READ MORE: Ja Morant Receives Eight-Game Suspension from NBA

According to ESPN, Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York on Wednesday regarding the gun incident at a Denver strip club at the top of the month. Silver provided a statement on the matter.

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” said Silver. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”

READ MORE: Shotgun Willie’s Strip Club Criticized Online After Releasing Images of Ja Morant in VIP Room

The league’s investigation could not conclude that the gun was owned by Morant or was brought into the strip club by him. Morant will also not be charged with a crime.

In a previous statement, Morant took accountability for his actions.

“I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire organization for letting you down. I’m going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.”

– Ja Morant

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Ja Morant Receives Eight-Game Suspension from NBA appeared first on The Source.

Ja Morant Will Be Able To Return To The NBA On This Date

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Ja Morant has been through it over the last two weeks. However, this is due to his own actions. Ultimately, Morant found himself suspended from the league after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live. Overall it was a boneheaded move that immediately captured the attention of the NBA. That said, Morant has spent the last week and some change at a counseling program in Florida. He wanted to get his head right, and it was a step in the right direction.

Today, however, it was revealed that Morant would be leaving the program. Additionally, Morant met with Adam Silver who decided that Morant would be allowed to return to the court. Although, at the time of the initial report, there was no direct timeline for when he would be allowed to come back. That has since changed as the NBA and Silver released a statement today. Essentially, Morant was suspended retroactively for eight games. This means the NBA star can come back to the Grizzlies on March 20th.

Ja Morant Can Play Again

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” Silver said in the statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.” Subsequently, Morant will get to practice with his teammates. Furthermore, if he does come back on the 20th, it will be against the Dallas Mavericks.

If you are a Grizzlies fan, this is some fantastic news. Morant is the heart and soul of the team, and they need him for this upcoming playoff run. Hopefully, Ja was able to get his mind right so that he doesn’t make another mistake, in the future. Let us know what you think of the NBA’s latest decision, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the NBA world.

Ja Morant Leaves Counseling Program In Surprising Turn Of Events

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Ja Morant has been the subject of numerous rumors and reports as of late. Over the past few months, Morant has been accused of threatening teenagers on multiple occasions. Overall, it has been a troubling pattern that got worse last weekend after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live. Morant was at a strip club at the time, which made the whole situation worse. Moreover, it came at a time when the reports around Morant were at their peak. Consequently, Morant was quickly suspended by the Grizzlies and the league.

Since that time, Morant has promised to work on himself. In fact, it was reported earlier this week that Morant would be going to a counseling program in Florida. Morant was applauded for this decision as it demonstrated a real desire to get better. However, it seems as though Ja Morant is already on his way out of the program. While details are sparse on the situation, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had the scoop just moments ago.

Ja Morant To Return?

“Grizzlies star Ja Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York today,” Wojnarowski said. “Morant has left a counseling program in Florida and moves closer to ramping up for return to season now.” Needless to say, it is very likely that Morant will get to partake in the postseason. This runs completely against what Marc J Spears reported yesterday. In his report, he said the situation seemed dire and that Morant would have to sit out the rest of the year. Overall, Grizzlies fans are probably very excited about what they are hearing right now.

Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how all of this develops. After all, Morant went through a very difficult time, and no one wants to see him go back to old habits. That said, it is good to see that Adam Silver believes Ja is ready to come back. Of course, it will now all depend on the NBA’s investigation into the star. However, it appears likely that he will be back on the floor sooner than originally believed. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates on this developing story.

Stephen A. Smith Reveals Why He Doesn’t Like Strip Clubs

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Stephen A. Smith has been one of the most prominent voices when it comes to the sports world. Overall, he is so famous in the space because of his hilarious rants. Although you may not agree with all of his takes, there is no denying how entertaining he is. Every single morning, hundreds of thousands of sports fans tune into First Take to see what he may say. These rants typically go viral on social media, much to the delight of ESPN. However, he has also been going viral thanks to his new podcast, “Know Mercy.”

Over the past week or so, Stephen A. has been tasked with giving his opinion on the Ja Morant situation. At this point, it feels like Morant is in the news every single day. Moreover, with Morant’s strip club photos being leaked on the internet, the discourse around him has only ramped up. As for Smith, he finds the leaking of these images to be in poor taste. Additionally, while touching on the topic during an episode of “Know Mercy,” Smith revealed exactly why he doesn’t like strip clubs.

Stephen A. Explains His Preferences

“Now, I’m not one for strip clubs,” Smith began. “I’m a bit older in this day and age, and even when I was younger, I’ve never had a proclivity for strip clubs. I never liked the smell.” Of course, there are a lot of people out there who would disagree. Although, this is definitely a matter of personal preference. Strip clubs are not for everyone, and that is more than okay. However, for many throughout the NBA, the strip club is an essential part of every road trip.

When it comes to Ja Morant, however, it is clear that he probably won’t be frequenting these establishments again, anytime soon. As it stands, he is seeking help through a counseling program in Florida. He is trying to get his head right, as he cannot afford to lose his NBA career. Hopefully, he is able to improve himself and get back on track. Let us know what you thought of Stephen A.’s comments, down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more sports news.

Patrick Beverley Blames Music For The Ja Morant Situation

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Patrick Beverley is one of the latest players to get their very own podcast. Beverley has had his podcast on Barstool Sports since the beginning of the season, and overall, it has been a decent success. Beverley is known for being one of the more entertaining players in the league, so a podcast just makes sense for him. Moreover, he is a polarizing figure, which means both fans and haters are always going to tune in. For Dave Portnoy, hiring Beverley was a no-brainer.

One of the biggest topics in the NBA right now involves none other than Ja Morant. Of course, Beverley has been tasked with speaking on this issue. Although he has never played with Morant, he can still speak to the situation. He has been around the NBA for over a decade, and he has some strong opinions on what could be going on here. During the latest episode of the Barstool Rundown, Beverley blamed the Morant situation on music.

Patrick Beverley Weighs In

“I think music has a lot to do with this now,” Beverley said. “… The culture now is ‘shoot them up, bang, bang, shoot them up, bend you over, I got this amount of money, I’m on private jets, that that that.’ That’s what the younger generation is. Sadly to say it shouldn’t be based on our music, but it is mostly based on what we listen to and that’s how it is.” Overall, this is a controversial statement to make. Blaming hip-hop for violence is a playbook that has been used since the 90s. However, many would disagree with the premise entirely. Regardless, that did not stop Beverley from voicing his opinion.

At this point, there really is no point trying to blame the Morant situation on one particular facet of life and culture. Now, Morant is getting help, and that is all that should matter. While his actions were clearly wrong, the only thing he can do now is rehabilitating himself and change for the better. Let us know what you think of Beverley’s comments, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from the sports world.

Report: Ja Morant Feared to Miss Rest of NBA Season

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Ja Morant Will Not be Charged by Colorado Authorities, Will Miss Next 4 Games

Grim news for the Memphis Grizzlies franchise and its fans as Ja Morant is now rumored to miss the rest of the season. ESPN’s Marc Spears appeared on The Hoop Collective, and while he kept the details short, he revealed that it would be a wrap for the point guard’s season.

“There’s things I’m hearing that I’d rather probably not say on this podcast,” Spears said. “My guess now is that he doesn’t play the rest of the season.”

Ja Morant has entered a counseling program in Florida. In an ESPN update on Monday, Morant currently is still without a timetable to return to this NBA season.

In a statement, Morant revealed he is working “to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.” Previously, Morant was said to be out through this Wednesday’s game, but the belief is Morant will miss more time.

Memphis management has frequently stated publicly that Morant will be held accountable for a history of dubious decisions and behavior, and the NBA is currently looking into the situation.

“I’ve said that he’s taking time and responsibility to get better for himself so that he can be better for our team,” Jenkins said. “I’m not going to really comment further until there’s more updates necessary.”

“His spirit has been great so far when I have spoken to him,” Morant’s teammate Tyus Jones told ESPN. “It’s a unique time. There comes times in life when you’ve got to put yourself first before your family, before basketball, before a lot of other stuff, and I don’t know if a lot of guys have ever done that. It’s a time where he’s getting to put himself first, and I think he’s taken advantage of that. I hope he’s taking advantage of that, and it will be good for him.”

The post Report: Ja Morant Feared to Miss Rest of NBA Season appeared first on The Source.

Ja Morant Likely Out For The Season: Report

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Ja Morant is currently in the midst of seeking some help. It is an unfortunate situation, however, it is good that Morant has taken this step. Morant opted to seek this help following a turbulent couple of weeks. This timeframe included numerous headlines that were not good for his image, or for the Memphis Grizzlies. Overall, Morant was accused of threatening teenagers on multiple occasions. Moreover, he flashed a gun while on Instagram Live, which pretty well spelled the end of this saga.

Since then, Morant has subsequently apologized for his action. Additionally, he has been suspended indefinitely by the NBA. Last night, it was revealed that Morant was seeking the aforementioned help. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, this would be through a counseling service in Florida. The extent of this counseling is simply unknown. Fans have their theories, but the team nor Morant has offered any clarity. Now, reports are suggesting that this is a very personal matter that should be kept under wraps. Furthermore, it is likely that this will spell the end of Morant’s season.

Ja Morant Situation Unfolds

While speaking on The Hoop Collective, Marc J Spears gave a critical update on Morant. Based on his reporting, it all seems kind of somber. “There’s things I’m hearing that I’d rather probably not say on this podcast… My guess now is that he doesn’t play the rest of the season,” Speaks explained. Overall, this is a huge blow to the Grizzlies’ chances in the Western Conference. Without Morant on the team, they could very easily be a first-round out. Although, what is important is Morant’s physical and mental health right now.

This is a situation that could have gotten out of hand extremely fast, so it is good to see the Grizzlies and Ja getting a handle on it. Hopefully, Morant is able to get the help he needs. He is a phenomenal basketball player, and he deserves to feel at his best both on and off the court. Let us know what you think of this report, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for updates from around the sports world.

Ja Morant Enters Counseling Program

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Ja Morant has been in the news for a plethora of reasons as of late. Firstly, Morant was in the news over allegations that he threatened a teenager at his home with a gun. Subsequently, he was seen flashing his gun on Instagram Live. In the end, this acted as the final straw for the league. Morant had previously allegedly been involved in an altercation with members of the Pacers, as well. All of these instances forced the league to take action, and consequently, Morant was suspended indefinitely.

Since that time, there has been no timetable for his return. Overall, it seems like the Grizzlies and Morant have an understanding of the situation. Mostly, they just want Morant to get right so that he can return to the team as an improved person. There have been fears that he could ruin his career with this behavior, and based on his apology, it is clear that Ja understands what’s at stake. That said, it should come as no surprise that Morant is officially seeking help for his off-court problems.

Ja Morant Seeks Help

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Morant has entered a counseling program. This program is located in Florida, although there are no specifics on what the program entails. The only thing that is really known at this point is that Morant will be getting help for his issues. Overall, this is good news and an important step forward for the young man. The entire NBA world is worried about him, and they are ultimately rooting for him to rise up and conquer any demons he may be battling. While it will not be an easy time, he will have all of the support in the world.

Now, the Grizzlies must keep their spot in the Western Conference without Morant by their side. It is not going to be an easy task, and if Morant is not available for the playoffs, then their season could very well be over. However, one would hope that Morant would come back next year with no distractions to hamper his team. Let us know what you think of all this, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from the sports world.

Ja Morant Enters Counseling Program in Florida, No NBA Return Date Announced

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Ja Morant Will Not be Charged by Colorado Authorities, Will Miss Next 4 Games

Ja Morant has entered a counseling program in Florida. In an ESPN update on Monday, Morant currently is still without a timetable to return to this NBA season.

In a statement, Morant revealed he is working “to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.” Previously, Morant was said to be out through this Wednesday’s game, but the belief is Morant will miss more time.

Memphis management has frequently stated publicly that Morant will be held accountable for a history of dubious decisions and behavior, and the NBA is currently looking into the situation.

“I’ve said that he’s taking time and responsibility to get better for himself so that he can be better for our team,” Jenkins said. “I’m not going to really comment further until there’s more updates necessary.”

“His spirit has been great so far when I have spoken to him,” Morant’s teammate Tyus Jones told ESPN. “It’s a unique time. There comes times in life when you’ve got to put yourself first before your family, before basketball, before a lot of other stuff, and I don’t know if a lot of guys have ever done that. It’s a time where he’s getting to put himself first, and I think he’s taken advantage of that. I hope he’s taking advantage of that, and it will be good for him.”

Ja Morant is currently away from the Memphis Grizzlies but will also be away from commercial breaks. According to The Drum, Coca-Cola has pulled Morant’s Powerade campaign ads.

Morant is currently in the fallout from flashing a gun in the strip club on Instagram. He won’t be formally charged, but he is currently serving a suspension that runs through at least 15 games. Adding on, Powerade is pushing pause on their largest campaign in history, “From Underestimated to Undeniable,” which featured Morant. The ads have been pulled from YouTube and social media.

The campaign was set to be a major step forward in Coca-Cola’s aim to battle the power of Gatorade, with the combination of Body Armor.

Ken Sadowsky, a veteran beverage analyst, told The Drum, the controversy is “bad timing” for the brand as it heads into the summer season.

“There’s a lot of activity and growth in the isotonics category, but Coke is now facing a challenge for the umpteenth time. It’s difficult because the 600-pound Gatorade gorilla is pretty good at putting down challengers,” Sadowsky said.

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