It's already been four months since Ja Morant has not been seen on an NBA court again. Back after a 25-game suspension for appearing twice with a gun on social media, the Grizzlies leader was only able to play nine games this season. This was due to a serious shoulder injury, which forced him to end his campaign on January 6. Even though the suspension had passed, Adam Silver continued to monitor Ja Morant, also increasing the number of exchanges in order to gauge the evolution of his behavior.
The NBA boss therefore gave good news on Monday on this subject, ensuring that the Memphis superstar was well on the right path.
“We took stock with him and his team during the season, but above all, working with the players' union. We regularly checked in with him and his team throughout the year. All reports are very positive”, he declared from New York.
The right to a new chance
The first positive thing is that we no longer see Ja Morant on the internet for his extra-sporting escapades, which had a tendency to multiply until now. The leader has obviously learned his lesson, and would have finished cleaning up those around him. He notably joined Mike Miller's agency “Lift Sports” to represent him, and also launched an “AAU” program called “Twelve Time” to mentor young aspiring basketball players.
“From everything we have seen, his development has been very positive. Working with the team, his personal management, having a more united team around him seems to make the difference in his life”continued Adam Silver, who does not regret his suspension in view of the results, almost a year later.
At his side, the executive vice president of the league, Joe Dumars, witnessed each of the meetings between Adam Silver and Ja Morant. He too is convinced of the leader's desire to change his behavior.
“He's a young man who's made some mistakes, but I would say when he came into this office and met Adam and myself and a few other people, he took responsibility. He didn't sit there and make excuses. He assumed and accepted his punishment. When I see that, I really feel like this person has a chance to improve. You can’t improve until you take responsibility for something.”
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 67 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 63 | 33 | 44.9 | 30.3 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 57 | 33 | 49.3 | 34.4 | 76.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 61 | 32 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | SAME | 9 | 35 | 47.1 | 27.5 | 81.3 | 0.7 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 25.1 |
| Total | 257 | 32 | 47.2 | 31.8 | 75.5 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
