“Has Ja Morant Broken a Law?”: JJ Redick Recalls ‘Malice in the Palace’ While Refuting Stephen A. Smith’s Verdict on Grizzlies Star’s Gun Flashing

Ja Morant was recently seen flashing a handgun on an Instagram video. This marks the second time Ja has been caught in such a situation in 2023. It is the latest in a series of incidents regarding his discipline that has led to calls for suspension. Speaking on First Take, Stephen A. Smith claimed that Ja Morant would get a 25-game suspension. JJ Reddick disagreed, referencing past incidents related to doping and the iconic “Malice at the Palace.”

Reddick claimed that while the Memphis Grizzlies’ star behavior was inexcusable, the player had not broken any laws. Reddick claimed that Morant’s previous 8-game suspension should be doubled to 16.

JJ Reddick explains why Ja Morant should only get a 16-game suspension

JJ Reddick claimed that Ja Morant only deserves a 16-game suspension. He gave two reasons in favor of the young Memphis Grizzlies superstar.

.@jj_redick reacts to the recent video of Ja Morant appearing to hold a gun: pic.twitter.com/usRAnwvFJr

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 16, 2023

Firstly, no law was broken by Morant. Secondly, the NBA had previously given suspensions only for doping incidents, and violence:

“When we talk about a 25-game suspension, historically speaking, it is steroids, going up to fans and fighting fans, you are cheating the game of basketball. Gilbert, I think got the whole season for bringing a gun to the locker room.”

“As far as I know, there is no law that was broken. The perception of what he is doing, given what happened last season with the 17-year old, and at the club, there should be a suspension. Given, he has already served an 8-game suspension, I think I would think of doubling that suspension. We are not privy to everything that is happening to Ja and behind the scenes with the organization. I would generally start with doubling that suspension.”

JJ Reddick compares Ja Morant situation to Malice at the Palace

Malice at the Palace refers to a huge brawl that broke out between fans and players during a November 2004 match between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. The brawl led to charges of assault being filed against five players, with five fans also being charged with assault.

Pacers’ Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson were suspended for the remainder of the season, and 30 games, respectively. Jermaine O’Neal was suspended for 25 games initially, but it was later brought down to 15.

While Ja Morant did act in a highly problematic manner, as Reddick suggested, there is simply no precedent for a 25-game suspension, based on the NBA’s history in such scenarios. The NBA might end up taking an approach that falls more in line with JJ Reddick’s take on the situation.