Ja Morant Reveals Who He Listens To Before Games

The press conferences held during NBA All-Star weekend led to LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant and more being asked some intriguing questions. First, LeBron James was asked about being able to play with his old Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving in the All-Star game. “It’s always good to see him. I’m very proud of him. Very proud of the man that he has become in his life right now,” Bron said gracefully. However, if you remember correctly, LeBron appeared to be hugely disappointed recently that his Lakers did not acquire Irving when he was on the trade block, instead letting the Dallas Mavericks snag him. Additionally, Jaylen Brown was in a more sour mood when speaking on how the All-Star game is no longer competitive. “It was just a glorified layup line,” Brown called the game.

In contrast, though, both Pau Gasol and Brown’s Boston teammate Jayson Tatum found ways to honor the late Kobe Bryant. After coaching up his Rising Stars team to a win on Friday (Feb. 17), Paul Gasol talked about his consideration for the Basketball Hall of Fame. He gave all the credit to Kobe. “My name, my number don’t go into those rafters without those championships,” he said. “And we don’t win those championships without Kobe Bryant.” Similarly, Tatum honored Bryant after winning the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP. “Everybody knows how much [Kobe] meant to me,” he said. “My favorite player, my idol. So it’s an honor to take this home.” With all these heavy quotes, though, other players like Ja Morant mostly were only asked softball questions.

Ja Morant’s Tunes

When asked by a reporter what his three favorite artists to listen to before games are, Morant gave an exciting reply. “(NBA) Youngboy, (Lil) Baby, Moneybagg (Yo). And a little bit of that (Pooh) Shiesty brrrrr brrr brrrr.” Mimicking Pooh Shiesty’s famed ad-libs, it’s clear that Morant had to throw in that fourth option in his response. Morant was raised in South Carolina and now lives in Memphis, TN. So, it’s no surprise that every artist he named is from the South. Pooh Shiesty and Moneybagg Yo are both from Memphis, and Youngboy and Baby are from Louisiana and Georgia respectively. It’s easy to see where Ja’s heart lies.

Aside from light-hearted conversations with NBA reporters, Morant has had an otherwise bizarre and eventful start to 2023. January saw a bit of turbulence with him being hit with a lawsuit for fighting a minor in a pickup basketball game. Additionally, his father Tee Morant, and FOX Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe got into a scuffle at a Grizzles-Lakers basketball game. Then in February, Ja was implicated in a situation where his friends were accused of stalking and intimidating employees for the Indiana Pacers. However, this year has still seen him get a new Nike shoe deal and become an NBA All-Star for the second time. So, it seems that Ja is taking the good with the bad.

2 Chainz Acquires Ja Morant’s All-Star Jersey

2 Chainz is a massive basketball fan who goes to as many games as possible. If you know anything about the veteran artist, then you are aware of his basketball prowess. He played ball in college and he was quite good. Although he never made it to the league, he is consistently considered one of the best rapper-hoopers of all time. Moreover, as someone who is from the home of the Atlanta Hawks, he has plenty of opportunities to watch games and relive his basketball past. Furthermore, he has also gotten his son Halo invested in the game.

Already, Halo has shown a ton of interest in the sport. So much so that the 6-year-old is already convinced that he can someday make it to the NBA. Overall, this is a ton of confidence to have. However, you have to love it, and we’re sure with that kind of drive, he will be able to get into the league. As it turns out, Halo already has a favorite player. That player just so happens to be Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

2 Chainz Gets The Perfect Gift

Luckily for Halo, his father was at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. Morant was playing in the big game which makes sense when you consider how he has been having a monstrous season. 2 Chainz got to watch Morant from some courtside seats, and in the end, this proximity paid off. In the Instagram post below, you can see 2 Chainz with a signed Morant jersey that he wore during the match. As it turns out, Halo expressly told his dad that he wanted the uniform. 2 Chainz even told Ja this, which turned out to be the right strategy. “I told Ja that Halo asked me to get his jersey after all star game and he was wit it.”

With gifts like these, 2 Chainz is going to be winning father of the year. We’re sure Halo is going to love his new jersey which was part of history. As for whether or not the All-Star Game was any good, well, that is neither here nor there. For Halo, however, it led to a gift that he will always cherish.

[Via]

Nike Ja 1 “Scratch” Revealed: Photos

Ja Morant is currently in the midst of another solid season with the Memphis Grizzlies that includes the launch of his first signature shoe, the Nike Ja 1. Overall, this is a simple yet easy-to-like silhouette. Considering the fact that Ja is a guard, it should come as no surprise that this shoe has a low-top silhouette. This is just one of those shoes that are going to stand the test of time, and fans are loving it so far. Moreover, new colorways are slowly being revealed.

The Grizzlies are a team with a lot of untapped potential as far as sneaker colorways are concerned. Ja is the first superstar in franchise history to get his own shoe. Consequently, Nike is interested in truly honoring the history of the Memphis Grizzlies. As many of you know, this franchise actually started out in Vancouver. With the new colorway which can be found below, those Vancouver roots are shining bright.

Nike Ja 1 “Scratch”

Nike Ja 1
Image via Nike

This brand-new color scheme is simply called “Scratch.” As for the actual colors, fans are being given a shoe that resembles those vintage Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms. The retro uniforms that the Grizzlies have worn over the years are immensely popular. That said, it only makes sense that Nike would want to come through with a shoe that pays homage to them. Firstly, the sneaker is covered in team materials. Moreover, there are scratch marks throughout the upper, the Nike swoosh, and the midsole. Lastly, the shoe also has some red and bronze built in which helps bring the entire Vancouver aesthetic together.

Unfortunately for fans who want to cop these, the release date is still unknown. However, they should be dropping quite soon for a price of $110 USD. If you are a historian of the franchise, then these are probably going to be exciting prospects for you. Either way, there are plenty more Nike Ja 1 color schemes on the horizon. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sneaker world. Additionally, let us know what you think of these, down in the comments below.

More Photos

Image via Nike
Nike Ja 1
Image via Nike

[Via]

Nike Ja 1 “Midnight” Gets Swarovski Treatment

Ja Morant has a brand-new signature sneaker on the way called the Nike Ja 1. Although Morant has been having some controversial moments with the Grizzlies this year, Nike is rewarding him. Having your own signature shoe is one of the greatest accomplishments for any player. Overall, it symbolizes that you are officially a star in the league. Moreover, it becomes an extra revenue source for players to build generational wealth. For Morant, it is also an opportunity to showcase his personality.

So far, Morant’s new signature shoe has been given quite a few new offerings. Mostly, these offerings have been praised for how colorful they are. Additionally, fans seem to enjoy the silhouette of the shoe, which is quite basic yet effective. Players like Luka Doncic who have also been getting their first signatures have gone with similar design choices. For now, it is proving to be a solid move for them as anything crazier could alienate some fans.

Nike Ja 1 “Midnight”

Nike Ja 1
Image via Nike

Subsequently, we now have a new colorway of the Nike Ja 1. In fact, this new offering is getting some help from Swarovski. As you can see in the images below, the “Midnight” colorway has Swarovski crystals on the Nike swoosh. Furthermore, there are Swarovskis on the “12 AM” pendant that goes on top of the laces. From there, the rest of the colorway is black. Overall, it is a simple yet effective color scheme that is definitely going to look good on the court. Those Swarovski crystals are absolutely going to make the shoe sing.

As for the release date, nothing has been announced just yet. However, it is known that this shoe is going to cost a whopping $400 USD. Of course, this price point makes sense when you consider the crystals that are involved here. Let us know what you think of the sneaker, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world. We will always bring you information from the biggest brands.

More Photos

Image via Nike
Nike Ja 1
Image via Nike

[Via]

Shannon Sharpe Gets Brutally Honest With Ja Morant

Shannon Sharpe has had his fair share of issues with the Memphis Grizzlies. Just a couple of weeks ago, Sharpe found himself in an altercation with Grizzlies players like Dillon Brooks. Additionally, Ja Morant’s father got involved as well. However, Sharpe and Tee Morant eventually chopped it up after the game and squashed the beef. Needless to say, Shannon isn’t exactly a big fan of the type of game the Grizzlies talk. They act as if they have won something when this iteration of the Grizzlies has never gone past the second round. Overall, Sharpe just wants them to actually win a title or get to an NBA Finals before they continue talking trash.

Unfortunately, for Ja Morant, there has been all sorts of negative chatter surrounding his character. Much of this stems from allegations that his friend group uttered threats against Pacers staff and supporters last weekend. After an investigation from the league, it was revealed that there was no evidence of any threats. However, one of Morant’s friends was banned from the FedExForum for a full year. As you can imagine, Shannon Sharpe had some thoughts on this entire debacle.

Shannon Sharpe Speaks

Sharpe was brutally honest on Undisputed and did not hold back in his criticisms of the young Grizzlies superstar. Sharpe noted that Morant is going down the wrong path and that he is trying to be someone he isn’t. In a way, this entire segment could have been seen as an intervention of sorts. “I wish Ja would realize he’s not a thug. You’re not about that life! No one looks at you and thinks you’re hood. Stop pretending!!” Sharpe explained. It was some very direct commentary on the matter, although one could argue this is something Morant needs to hear.

Subsequently, it will be interesting to see how Morant moves forward. Overall, there are thousands of fans rooting for him, and they would hate for him to get involved in something truly regrettable. He’s a fantastic player, and the league wants him to be its face following LeBron’s retirement. Let us know what you think of Shannon’s remarks, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

[Via]

Ja Morant Reacts To Accusations Made Against His Friends

Ja Morant is one of the best young players in the entire NBA. However, he has been accused of not having the best attitude at times. For instance, he has made some comments on Twitter that have rubbed fans the wrong way. Some believe he is running with the wrong crowd and that subsequently, he could get into a lot of trouble. Overall, Morant has denied this notion and has continued to live life as is. Although, Morant couldn’t ignore some hefty allegations that were made against his friend group. According to the Associated Press, someone in his group allegedly pointed a red dot at a contingent of Pacers supporters following a game on January 29th.

As you can imagine, these are some very strong allegations. The report noted that Morant was with those friends at the time of the incident and that their actions came after a heated altercation. NBA Spokesman Mike Bass offered a statement on the issue, claiming that there is no evidence that any weapon-based threats were made. “While we substantiated that a postgame situation arose that was confrontational, based on interviews and other evidence gathered, we could not corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon,” Bass said.

Ja Morant Takes To Twitter

Following this investigation, Morant took to Twitter where he noted that his friend was banned from home games for an entire year. Moreover, Morant felt as though the original report was meant to slander him. He feels like the media is trying to portray him a certain way, and he will not stand for it. “Did a investigation seen they were cappin,” he wrote. “Still let a article come out to paint this negative image on me & my fam. & banned my brother from home games for a year. Unbelievable.”

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, this is still a bad look for Ja Morant. Fans are concerned for him, and that will continue to be the case. Overall, he is a phenomenal player, and his fans just want what is best for him. Hopefully, he will take that into consideration, moving forward. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

[Via]

Ja Morant’s Nike Ja 1 Shown Off In Various Colorways

Ja Morant has been teasing the Nike Ja 1 for a bit of time now. If you know anything about Morant, you understand that he is easily one of the most entertaining players in the entire NBA. He was the second overall pick back in the 2019 draft, and since then, he has elevated the Memphis Grizzlies into a title contender. While there is no guarantee that this team goes far this season, it is clear that Ja can get them there. Consequently, Morant has become a huge hero in Memphis, and fans are excited for him to be on the team for years to come.

As for the Nike Ja 1, there is a ton of hype behind this new silhouette. Whenever a player creeps into superstar status, you can expect them to get a shoe. Luka Doncic got one this past year. Additionally, Jayson Tatum is also about to launch his own silhouette. That said, it was only a matter of time before Morant was graced with the exact same honor.

Nike Ja 1
“Day One” – Image via Nike

New Nike Ja 1 Colorways

According to Sole Collector, the Nike Ja 1 has been revealed in a multitude of colorways today. Overall, these offerings are very colorful and definitely show off Morant’s personality. The color schemes are called “Day One,” “Chimney,” “Trivia,” and “Scratch.” In the image above, you can see how the “Day One” scheme has a message to all of his friends and family. Furthermore, the “Chimney” model is purple, pink, and blue. Finally, the “Scratch” colorway is an homage to the Vancouver Grizzlies, while the “Trivia” shoe is all about the games he plays with his family. Needless to say, Nike is trying to tell a story here, and it works.

At the time of writing this, there is still no concrete release date for this sneaker. However, you can stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news from the sneaker world. For now, just expect these to drop sometime in the Spring. Additionally, you can let us know how you feel about this new silhouette, in the comments down below.

“Chimney” – Image via Nike

[Via]

Shannon Sharpe & Ja Morant’s Dad Reconcile After Fight

Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant, father of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, reconciled their differences after a fight. Moreover, they weren’t the only ones involved in a heated argument after the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Grizzlies 122-121 last Friday (January 20). Other recognizable faces in the incident were Steven Adams and Ja Morant himself.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 20: Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant, father of Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, are separated by security and referees after a verbal altercation between Sharp and Morant during the halftime against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

However, the cause of this altercation is still unclear. In clips swirling around social media, it’s hard to make out what everyone is shouting at each other. Even a tense moment can’t drown out the music blasting from the stadium speakers.

Still, another video published shortly after showed Sharpe and Tee Morant embracing. While it’s not certain that the clip was recorded after the fight ended, that seems to be the narrative online. What’s more is that people reacting to the fight initially were putting everything on Shannon. Moreover, his physique is about as strong as his words. Recently, he made some sobering observations about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. People are all for his unfiltered perspectives.

“Shannon stronger than anybody in that building they better leave him alone….Ray Lewis will tell you that!!” one user wrote. Another shared, “I got my money on Shannon. Anybody with a lisp like that at his age will smoke yo boots.” Some commenters even cheekily tied it into his show with Skip Bayless. “‘I’m sorry but you would’ve had no shot against Steven Adams’ – Skip on Monday,” one user commented.

Meanwhile, LeBron James reacted to the whole ordeal hilariously, at least in part. While he made no comments on the situation itself, his description of Unk was quite expressive.

“If ‘I Wish A Muthaf#ck* Would’ was a person! MOOD,” James wrote. “Unk VIBES!”

Moreover, their relationship is as strong as ever. Sharpe brought out the “GOAT James” mask on Undisputed when talking about LeBron’s 48-point-performance against the Houston Rockets just a few days ago.

Still, what do you think of Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant making up after a rowdy fight? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest NBA news.

NBA Reacts To Ja Morant’s Insane Dunk Against The Pacers

The Memphis Grizzlies’ All-Star guard made a massive splash in the NBA during last night’s (January 14) game, which pit them against the Indiana Pacers. Ja Morant wowed the NBA with his poster dunk on Jalen Smith. Moreover, some are calling it the dunk of the year (it’s barely two weeks into January, but let Twitter live). Still, the highest praise may come from some of the legends and basketball figures that praised the feat.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 14: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball over Jalen Smith #25 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Even considering his 6’3″ height, the 6’10” Smith stood no chance against Morant’s rush to the rim. Although he missed previous attempts at this kind of dunk, this is indisputably one of the best in his career. Given the bombastic moment, the dunk went viral online, with Hall of Fame Kevin Garnett giving his props.

“When we look back on Ja’s in game dunk highlights when it’s all said and done it’s gonna be up there with some of the greatest ever,” the former Celtic tweeted.

Meanwhile, other NBA stars sought to share their mindblown reactions. Kyle Kuzma, forward for the Washington Wizards, agreed with Garnett’s statement. Also, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant shared a collection of memes summarizing his thought. After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words, and a meme can be worth millions.

Also, former pro and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins reaffirmed his once-criticized support for the Grizzlies last season. He even advocated for a spot for Morant on the NBA All-Star Game roster this year. In fact, he’s third in fan votes in the guard category, right behind Luka Doncic and Steph Curry.

“The fans want to see HIGHLIGHTS… and that’s exactly what Ja Morant is going to give you,” he tweeted. “The MOST ELECTRIFYING PLAYER in the NBA!!!”

Still, there’s one other request people (and current players) have for Morant: please, please compete in the NBA Dunk Contest. Moreover, Donovan Mitchell urged him to do so on Twitter, and the All-Star weekend competition has one spot left. While many have cried out their excitement at the prospect, the likelihood seems low.

Regardless, what did you think of Ja Morant’s incredible dunk last night against Jalen Smith of the Indiana Pacers? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest in basketball news and highlights.

[via]

Ja Morant Posters Jalen Smith For Dunk Of The Year Candidate

Ja Morant threw down what was easily one of the best dunks of the year over Jalen Smith during the Memphis Grizzlies’ 130-112 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Morant added 23 points and 10 assists to extend the team’s current win streak to nine games.

When asked whether the play was one of the best dunks of his career, Morant responded, “Yeah, easy,” before referencing the difficulty. He added: “It’s what everybody has been waiting for. I finally made it.”

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 14: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball over Jalen Smith #25 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Morant’s teammate, Desmond Bane added that he, “ain’t seen nothing like that one. That’s probably going to go down as dunk of the year.”

“Obviously we’re having fun out there, playing hard and playing together,” Bane further said.

Morant is currently in the midst of one of the best years of his short career. Following suit, he is gearing up for the release of his first signature shoe. The sneaker will make him the 23rd NBA athlete in history to receive his own signature sneaker with Nike.

Following Saturday’s win, the Grizzlies improve to 29-13, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the best record in the Western Conference.

“We’re not playing perfect basketball,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of the winning streak. “I’m just glad our guys are finding different ways to win, whether we’re playing with a lead or playing from behind. Each game has presented a different challenge for us and our guys have stayed the course.”

The loss brings the Pacers down to 23-21 on the season.

Check out Ja Morant’s ferocious dunk from Saturday night below.

[Via]