"You're not a rapper, you're an NBA player" - Shaquille O'Neal reacts to Ja Morant gun controversy

Shaquille O'Neal reacted to Ja Morant's suspension amid his gun controversy that the NBA and the police are investigating. Morant is currently away from the Memphis Grizzlies following a viral video of him flashing his gun inside a club on Instagram live.

On a recent episode of NBA on TNT, the Tuesday crew of O'Neal, Candace Parker, Jamal Crawford and Adam Lefkoe discussed Morant's situation. The LA Lakers legend offered his advice to the young NBA superstar who might be feeling the pressure of being the face of the league.

"It was a bad choice," O'Neal said. "It was a bad decision. There's no excuse for what he did. You got to have enough common sense to know that wasn't going to go the way you wanted it to go. You're not a rapper, you're an NBA player."

While Shaquille O'Neal was critical of Ja Morant's decision to show his gun on Instagram, he also offered some advice to the young guard. "Superman" wants Morant to think of God, his family and his daughter, Kaari.

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"Think of the higher power," O'Neal said. "I feel for him now, but I also feel for his mother and father. What are they going through? So guys, before you make a dumb decision, not a mistake, a dumb decision, a dumb choice, think of the higher power, your mother, your father, your children."

Morant has already served his two-game suspension, missing the Memphis Grizzlies' losses to the LA Clippers and LA Lakers on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins still doesn't know when Morant will return to the team.

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Ja Morant facing long suspension for possible CBA violation

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is currently away with the team and could be out for a longer period as he tries to better himself. However, the NBA is currently investigating Morant for a potential violation of the current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Morant could have violated the CBA's provision on carrying firearms on team premises and facilities that includes the team plane. Stein first noted that it's an automatic 50-game suspension, but later corrected himself, saying that the league office will ultimately decide the ban's length.

Multiple reports have confirmed that Morant's Instagram live video happened at a club in Glendale, Colorado. It happened following the Memphis Grizzlies' 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

The stream happened on Saturday, and if the gun is proven to be Morant's, he might have had the gun on the team's plane. He also faces possible violations of Colorado gun laws, with the Glendale Police Department investigating the incident.

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