Speaking on the Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe went claimed that Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant will get in serious trouble. Morant was caught showing off a handgun in an Instagram video, two months after he was suspended for a similar incident. The latest video came on May 14th, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to suspend him indefinitely. The NBA has since been investigating the matter. Chief Commissioner Adam Silver recently revealed that the investigation had led to the unearthing of new information.
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Reacting to Silver’s comments, Sharpe claimed that Morant looked set for harsh punishment. The Fox Sports Insider claimed that while Morant’s future was still in his own hands, the NBA would be looking to set an example for the player.
Shannon Sharpe reacts to Adam Silver’s comments over Ja Morant
Adam Silver claimed that the NBA had unearthed comprehensive new information that was not previously known about Morant. He also claimed that the punishment would be announced only when the NBA Finals conclude.
Sharpe, who had previously stated that Morant was committed to “hustling backward,” was asked how he thinks the NBA will proceed. The 54-year-old claimed that he expects Morant to get into trouble.
The 23-year-old Grizzlies star, according to Sharpe, has not yet realized the seriousness of his actions, and what he is at risk of losing. Morant is considered one of the best young stars in the NBA and Sharpe claimed that despite the league “loving him,” they would be looking to set an example:
“Ja is gonna get in trouble. When we talked about it a couple of months ago I said don’t believe anything that is coming out because the Playoffs are going on, the NBA Finals are going to happen, because this is now about the players in the Playoffs, and not Ja Morant. They will deal with Ja at a later date and time. Remember we talked about gun safety? How Ja could have maimed someone, he could have hurt someone seriously, killed someone, or himself? And two months later NBA is going to send Ja Morant a message, hopefully he learns his lesson. I don’t know what the punishment is going to be. But whatever, I know the NBA, they love this kid, they know he could be one of the faces of the league. They are going to send a message. Hopefully he is getting the help, hopefully he is getting the counselling to help him understand the seriousness the seriousness of what he stands the chance to lost. I don’t think right now he gets the gravity of what’s in his hands. Ja, only you know how this is going to turn out. Your future, your career is in your hands, but the punishment, is going to be severe.”
Ja Morant at risk of throwing his career away?
Morant’s punishment might be announced after the NBA Finals are over. However, he is already suffering the consequences of his actions. After losing his spot in the All-Star team, Morant lost out on around $40 million guaranteed by his supermax contract.
He has already been suspended indefinitely by the Memphis Grizzlies and appears to have a long way ahead before he can make a return to the NBA. Morant had been apologetic after his first suspension and had apparently undergone therapy.
His supermax contract guarantees him more than $33 million this year, making him one of the highest-earning young stars in the league. Regardless of the punishment, Shannon Sharpe is right in claiming that Morant’s promising future is still in his hands.
The 23-year-old has been involved in multiple incidents recently and needs a quick change in attitude in order to ensure that no long-term damage to his career takes place. Apart from showing off a gun twice, he was also accused of fighting with a mall security guard, and beating up and threatening a teenager. There is little doubt that Morant needs the right guidance and help in order to get his promising career back on track.
