“Give Up $70,000,000”: Hawks Legend Urges Ja Morant to Check his Entourage, Claims He is the Best High Flyer in the League

Dominique Wilkins, a legendary figure known for his high-flying dunks and on-court prowess, recently offered Ja Morant a dose of reality. During a recent episode on VladTV, Wilkins urged Morant to be cautious about the company he keeps, sharing that associating with the wrong individuals cost him a hefty sum of $70,000,000. The interview also made it evident that the Hall-of-Famer recognizes the youngster’s potential as Wilkins dubbed him as the best dunker in the game and a potential future Dunk Contest champion. 

Wilkins’ connection to Morant runs deeper than just a shared passion for basketball. He revealed that he knows Morant and his father well, drawing parallels between their experiences and his own upbringing in a challenging neighborhood. It’s this personal background that fuels Wilkins’ advice to Morant—a heartfelt plea to make wise decisions and avoid the pitfalls that could cost him dearly.

Dominique Wilkins’ plea to Ja Morant

Mentorship often comes from those who have navigated the highs and lows of the game. Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins recently conveyed a powerful message to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. While addressing DJ Vlad’s remark that top dunkers in the NBA don’t participate in the Slam Dunk contest anymore, Nique dubbed Morant as a top high-flying dunker in the league. That’s rich coming from one of the greatest dunkers of all time, if not the very greatest. However, Wilkins had some reality check for Ja as well.

Wilkins’ advice to Morant was clear and relatable: to choose his company wisely. During his conversation with ValdTV, he spoke candidly about how the wrong crowd can lead to pitfalls, especially when fame and fortune come into play. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with genuine supporters who stick around beyond the spotlight. It was a lesson in recognizing true allies amidst the noise.

Here’s what he said:

“I know Ja and his dad very well. The thing if I could give him anything is that you don’t need all this people around to validate who you are. You got to be able to stand on your own two feet…. I don’t know no friend I got that I would be willing to give up 70 million dollars for to be down. I don’t understand that because you fought so hard to get out of that mentality, to do something bigger than yourself and to do some of the things that you’ve done…. It just don’t make sense….. You lose everything-watch how many people are going to be around you.”

Beyond the basketball court, Wilkins encouraged Morant to find self-worth without relying on external validation. He reassured Morant that not everyone’s opinion matters and that personal belief and growth should drive his journey. It was a relatable sentiment for anyone navigating the stress of the spotlight.

Incidentally, Morant’s suspension last season due to flashing a gun on Instagram live cost him an All-NBA selection, which would have allowed him to avail the full extent of his contract. To add insult to injury, Morant was again caught repeating the same mistake, for which the league has decided to suspend him for 25 games next season.

Jaren Jackson’s hope for Morant’s redemption amidst losses

Ja’s teammate, Jaren Jackson Jr., had stepped in to weigh in on the matter following his teammate’s controversial actions on social media, highlighting the tightrope between youth and fame. JJJ’s stance is one of hope, acknowledging that everyone stumbles a bit while growing up, especially when you’re someone as prominent in the league as Ja. He promised to stick by his teammates, showing the loyalty that the teammates share, no matter what’s going on.

“I stand by my brother.”

JJJ on having Ja Morant’s back pic.twitter.com/8Q3a3xyTsz

— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 6, 2023

The cost of Ja’s recent actions has been more than just a slap on the wrist. There’s been a significant financial toll and a hit to his reputation. Now we’ll have to see how Morant responds to the setback next season onwards.