Leave Ja Morant Alone!!!

Ja Morant, the NBA's Double Standard, & Why the League Needs to Let Him Play.

Who is Ja Morant?

Ja Morant is a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, hailing from South Carolina. Since joining the team in 2019, he’s become one of the most exciting players in the league. But now, it feels like his career is getting bogged down by off-the-court drama, and honestly, I’m tired of it.

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A Celebration is a Celebration.

Let’s get this out of the way: Ja made a huge mistake in the 2022-2023 season with the guns on Instagram Live. We all saw it. It was a dumb move. But fast forward to April 4th—Ja makes a gun gesture twice during a game against the Miami Heat, and the NBA hands down a $75,000 fine. For what? A celebration?

A celebration is a celebration. Why does Ja get dragged every time he tries to have a moment on the court? LeBron James has done similar gestures, and yet, LeBron doesn’t get fined. LeBron doesn’t get the grief Ja does. So why is it that when Ja does it, it's a huge issue?

I get it—he messed up. But at what point do we just let him move on and let him play? The NBA feels like it's trying to make an example out of Ja, just like they did with Kyrie Irving and his "Rest in Peace" Undertaker gesture. Was that really a threat? No. It was badass, and the league should’ve let it be.

Let Him Play.

I feel like the NBA is being way too strict with Ja. He’s trying to be himself, but they’re policing everything he does. I think it’s time they cut him some slack. If the league doesn’t want Ja to be authentic, then maybe they shouldn’t have him in the league at all.

I believe Ja Morant has the potential to be one of the faces of this league. And I think he still can be, but it feels like the league is holding him back. I think that Ja was supposed to be where Anthony Edwards is right now. But his mistakes have led to the baton being passed to Ant, who’s now running with it. And I don’t know—maybe that’s for the best.

Can Anthony Edwards Handle the Hype?

I’ve hyped up Anthony Edwards a lot, but here’s the thing: hype can be a double-edged sword. Edwards is great, but the pressure on him is building, and if he doesn’t handle it well, it could be his downfall. The truth is, Ja’s injuries, like the messed-up shoulder, set him back—but it’s clear that Ja could’ve been where Ant is if his career hadn’t been derailed.

And even though Edwards has a lot going on in his personal life, he’s marketable.

Ja?

The NBA seems to be putting up barriers for him because of his past mistakes.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

Ja’s journey is a reminder of how much the NBA is about more than just the game. It’s about optics, media narratives, and what the league decides it will tolerate. So, is the NBA going to keep punishing Ja for his mistakes, or will they let him evolve?

What do you think?

• Should the NBA ease up on Ja Morant?

• Is it fair that Ja’s getting fined for something other players get away with?

• Does Anthony Edwards have what it takes to be the face of the league, or is the hype going to be his downfall?

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If you’re feeling this, hit reply and let me know your thoughts!. And go ahead and send it to someone who’s got opinions on the NBA.