If he is currently suspended by the Grizzlies, Ja Morant has still not been sanctioned by the NBA after showing a firearm, for the second time in a few months, during a live Instagram.
Is the league’s investigation taking time? Asked about the subject before the opening of the 2023 Finals, Adam Silver explained that it was mostly a question of timing. The “commissioner” does not want the sanction of the Grizzlies leader to make the headlines, to the detriment of the playoffs and the clash between Heat and Nuggets.
“We have uncovered a lot of additional information, since I was first asked about the situation” thus explained Adam Silver. “I will say that we probably could have concluded, but we have made the decision, and I believe the players’ union agrees with us, that it would be unfair for these players and these teams to announce the results of the match. investigation in the middle of the series. »
Adam Silver explains that “the history of previous acts” And “player history” will be taken into account as part of the future sanction, which will therefore be announced after the Finals.
How to push Ja Morant to change his behavior?
In retrospect, does he consider the eight-game suspension too light, when Ja Morant first showed off a gun on social media?
“Even looking back, I don’t know. If the suspension had been 12 matches, instead of 8, would that have mattered? It seemed based on precedent and we want to be fair, as a league, and it seemed appropriate at the time. That’s all I can say. Perhaps by definition, and inasmuch as we’ve all seen the video and it seems to have started again, it’s safe to say that it wasn’t. »
Still, Adam Silver admits that it is difficult to find a sanction that will push Ja Morant to change his attitude, and to get out of this “gang atmosphere” in which he delights. And which has been tolerated for so long.
“I don’t think we really know what it will take to change his behavior. That’s what I said at the time: he seems like a good young man. From what I’ve seen of him, I think he’s clearly made mistakes, but he’s young, and I really hope – once we’ve decided on the appropriate punishment – that it won’t be only to punish, but also what we, the players union, his team, him and the people around him are going to do to create better circumstances around him in the future”.
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 248 | 32 | 47.2 | 32.1 | 75.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
