16 March 2023 , 15:03
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NBA star Ja Morant has broken his silence on the incident with a gun which led to an eight-game suspension in a revealing tell-all interview.
Morant was reprimanded by the NBA after he posted an Instagram Live video from a nightclub where he could be seen holding a firearm just hours after the Grizzlies' game against the Denver Nuggets in Colorado. It was the latest in a string of previously unknown incidents involving the 23-year-old and some of his closest associates. The 2020 Rookie of the Year entered a counselling program at a Florida facility while the league office investigated the March 3rd event.
The two-time All-Star said he now realised what he has to lose and vowed to stay away from some of the controversial incidents which put him in hot water with the league.
"I realise what I have to lose, and for us as a group, what we have to lose. “ the Memphis Grizzlies guard told ESPN pundit Jalen Rose. “It's pretty much just that being more responsible, more smarter and staying away from all the bad decisions.
"Honestly, I feel like we put ourselves in that situation with our past mistakes,” he continued, referring to his inner circle. “And now it's only right that we focus in and lock in on being smarter and more responsible, holding each other accountable for everything.
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“I feel like in the past we didn't know what was at stake. And now finally me having that time to realise everything, have that time alone, I realise that now.”
Morant is eligible to face the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Morant added: "I used that as an escape, which I shouldn't have. I feel like that's the reason I made many bad decisions in my past, which doesn't pretty much describe me, doesn't describe Ja as a person.
“I'm a totally different person than what's been shown in the media. That's my job now. That's why I took that time away, to become a better Ja, so everybody really can see who Ja really is and you know what he's about."
Morant was not the only one to face scrutiny as NBA commissioner Adam Silver came under fire for his perceived lax approach, especially when compared to the heavy hand of his predecessor David Stern. Silver finally voiced his displeasure at Morant’s conduct in a statement following the decision to suspend the youngster’s "irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous" actions.
“Obviously, he said things I need to be better at, but more of just showing his support towards me.” Morant added on his meeting with the NBA commissioner. “I accepted that, and I also sent my apologies to everybody - to the league, myself, my teammates, my family for putting that negativity towards all of us with a bad decision.”
Morant is eligible to play against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, the same day he is able to rejoin the team environment, although it is still unclear when he will actually return to the court.