Analyzing Memphis Grizzlies’ title chances after the Ja Morant gun incident: Will the fiasco end up being a major distraction?
Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is away from the Grizzlies indefinitely following his gun-wielding incident at a Colorado nightclub over the weekend.
The controversy could have a severe impact on his career and has already taken its toll on his public image. However, it will likely have an equally negative effect on the Grizzlies (38-25, second in the West), who were primed for a deep playoff run.
The Grizzlies have been considered one of the deepest teams in the NBA over the past couple of seasons. However, if Morant is suspended for an extended period, it will be nearly impossible for them to make any noise in the playoffs.
This comes as Morant is leading the Grizzlies in scoring (27.1 ppg), assists (8.2 apg) and steals (1.1 spg) this season. They are just 4-6 without Morant this season and 34-19 with him. Their offense in particular suffers without him.
The Grizzlies have a team offensive rating of 115.3 with Morant on the court and just 109.8 with him on the bench. This is the difference between the ninth and 28th-best offensive rating in the league. So simply put, the team struggles to generate reliable offense without his elite slashing and playmaking abilities.
Memphis knows how important Morant is to them. The team recently held a players-only meeting, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. During the meeting, Grizzlies veteran center Steven Adams spoke to the team about the importance of staying focused on the road. Charania reported:
“I’m told there was a players-only meeting where Steven Adams, their veteran center, spoke out about how the team needs to show better discipline on the road. They need to stay away from going out when they’re on the road"
Grizzlies staff and players reportedly believe Adams was directly referring to Morant, who later brandished his gun on the team’s road trip:
“I’m told those in the room when Steven Adams spoke out, they knew exactly who he was directing this to. It was no one other than Ja Morant”
Reporting on @TheRally for the latest surrounding Grizzlies star Ja Morant – and details on a recent players-only meeting where a veteran pushed for better discipline on the road: https://t.co/ICXC6YlrXF
So between the Grizzlies' on-court struggles without Morant and their apparent chemistry issues, the team is in a tough position.
The team is now left with uncertainty surrounding the future of both their star player and their franchise as a whole. Meanwhile, Memphis has just 19 games remaining before the start of the playoffs.
Ja Morant being investigated by Colorado police
As for what’s next for Ja Morant, he is reportedly being investigated by police in Glendale, Colorado. Colorado has open-carry laws for firearms "regulated by local county and municipal authorities."
Meanwhile, the NBA "prohibits players from possessing a firearm while on team property or traveling on team business," according to ESPN. So Morant is in a messy situation from both a legal and NBA perspective.
https://t.co/uIK37C5IlC
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins explained that the team is focused on supporting Morant. But they still plan on holding him accountable for his actions. He said:
“The focus right now is Ja’s taking responsibility to really get the help he needs to get to a better place, generally speaking. But also on the flip side, to be in a better place to embrace the responsibility and expectations as a member of this team”
Jenkins continued:
"That’s what we’re dialoguing about. That’s what we're going to support him through, but we’re also going to hold him accountable too.”
So at this point, the best Memphis can hope for is that Morant doesn’t receive a lengthy suspension and that he learns from his mistake.
Also read: NBA analyst suggests Ja Morant to learn how to handle off-court business like LeBron James and Kevin Durant: "You know who gave him the blueprint?"