Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was suspended eight video games with out pay by the NBA on Wednesday after streaming a video of himself holding a gun whereas intoxicated at a nightclub.
Morant, chatting with ESPN after his ban was introduced, mentioned he feels “mentally good” and added, “I feel like I deserve that punishment for my mistakes and what I did.”
Morant, banned for “conduct detrimental to the league,” missed his sixth game on Wednesday after undergoing counseling and therapy and while he will be eligible to return on Monday when Memphis plays Dallas, Morant said he will need more time to get physically ready to return to the NBA.
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“When I get back out there, I’m going to be ready to go and ready to push for a (championship) ring,” Morant mentioned.
The punishment comes after a league investigation into the March 4 incident at a Denver-area membership and a gathering on Wednesday between Morant and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and probably very harmful,” Silver said. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.
“He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”
The NBA’s probe didn’t discover the gun concerned belonged to Morant, had been introduced by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him past a short interval.
Morant didn’t have the gun whereas touring with the workforce or in any NBA facility, and Colorado authorities didn’t discover adequate trigger to cost him with a criminal offense.
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Morant known as his discuss with Silver “an open dialogue” in which “he said things I need to be better at, but more of just showing his support towards me.”
He apologized to the NBA, the Grizzlies and his household “for placing that negativity in the direction of all of us with a foul resolution.”
Morant did not reveal who owned the gun involved in the incident or how he came to be holding it.
“I don’t condone it or any type of violence but I take full responsibility from my actions,” he mentioned.
“I can see the picture that I painted over myself with my latest errors. But sooner or later, I’m going to indicate all people who Ja actually is, what I’m about, and alter this narrative.”
Morant said the incident taught him — and his inner circle — how much he has to lose by reckless actions.
“I feel like we put ourselves in that situation with our past mistakes 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,” Morant instructed ESPN.
“I really feel like previously we didn’t know what was at stake. And now lastly me having that point alone, I understand that now. I understand what I’ve to lose.”
‘Trying to be free’
The 23-year-old playmaker was last season’s NBA Most Improved Player and an All-Star this season and last. Morant was the second pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Morant averages 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds a game for the Grizzlies, who at 41-26 rank second in the Western Conference, four games back of pace-setter Denver.
With such success comes pressure and Morant said the incident was him “pretty much just trying to be free,” including, “I used that as an escape, which I shouldn’t have.”
Following his therapy sessions in Florida, Morant said, “I feel mentally good — like I haven’t been in many years since I really got dropped into the league.”
“I’m in an area the place I’m very comfy. I took these days to have the ability to learn to just about be there for myself and be taught alternative ways to handle stress in a optimistic approach.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
