For Memphis, Ja Morant’s problems are just immaturity

Suspended yesterday by the NBA, for his attitude “ irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous in the words of Adam Silver, Ja Morant promised in the process to be smarter and more responsible. Nevertheless, the image of the All-Star leader is tarnished, he who was nevertheless one of the most popular players of the new generation.

The viral sequence of the 23-year-old player, who appeared drunk in a strip club with a gun in his hand, also had the merit of shaking the locker room of the Grizzlies. Especially since this is not the first time (here or there) that this “ticking time bomb” has made headlines in recent months.

In the group of Memphiswhere everyone was surprised by this skid involving a firearm, we do not want to push Ja Morant further, already in a complicated position.

” Everyone has seen what has come out in the press for the past two weeks », said Tyus Jones, his replacement in the lead. ” No one wants and likes to see this, but Ja is a good guy. I don’t think anyone gives him bad will, bad intentions. I wouldn’t say I was super worried about him, but the latest things written about him are clearly not ideal. »

Hard times needed to grow?

After his stay in a psychological support center in Florida, Ja Morant will be able to return to competition from March 20 but, for questions of physical condition, his return could take place a few days later and some Grizzlies are convinced: he will come out. stronger and more mature in this story.

” He’s gonna come back and rule the league “, announced bluntly Jaren Jackson Jr., who also does not expect his teammate’s actions with firearms to be a problem in the locker room. ” That’s what he was already doing [avant sa suspension] and it’s not like he’s in a hollow. Everyone makes mistakes growing up in front of the cameras. Many stars have been there in the past, it can happen. »

Slippages which could precisely come from the growing notoriety of Ja Morant, rising star of the NBA, who has anything but calmed down over the seasons. Not least because of his party side, which developed and strengthened as his bank account grew or his number of subscribers increased…

” Every year Ja gets more and more attention and he will become one of the faces of the league added Tyus Jones. ” This means more responsibility, both on and off the court. Sometimes you just have to go through more difficult times in the growth process. Everything is different from year to year for him and you have to keep growing, learning. These are just life lessons. »

More supervised trips

After extending Ja Morant for (at least) 193 million dollars over five years last summer, officially making him their long-term “franchise player”, the leaders of Memphis must necessarily take a very dim view of the extra-sporting setbacks of their leader.

Hence the fact that the Grizzlies, through the voice of their coach, make every effort to ensure that this does not happen again, thanks to constant work.

” We’re going to sit down, talk to him, and walk him through this process. We’re going to focus on that, on and off the court. Support and accountability: that’s what we’re focused on, moving forward. Of course things are going to be different “, thus concluded Taylor Jenkins.

In particular, by introducing new measures on the move, because the Grizzlies should monitor their players more away from Tennessee. In particular that of Ja Morant, whose penchant for going out is now known to all and, to avoid possible new slippages, one of these measures could lead to the franchise taking the plane again at the end of an away game and therefore not to stay in the so-called festive cities and states.