As Grizzlies star Ja Morant nears his return to action later this month, he’s finally opening up about the series of events that led to his 25-game suspension. During the first media press conference this season, Morant was honest about his mistakes and took the blame for the Grizzlies’ embarrassing 6-17 start.
“I’ve made a lot of my mistakes. Even with my family. Not some that has even been public. Even with my family. I’ve done a lot,” said Ja. “I take full responsibility for that [6-17 record], even though I’m not out on the floor. Decisions I made didn’t allow me to be out there to go to battle with my team.”
Ja Morant says he feels guilt for the Grizzlies' slow start without him
“I take full responsibility for that, even though I’m not out on the floor. My decisions put them in that position.” pic.twitter.com/22GJKbfmvE
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) December 15, 2023
Despite valiant efforts from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies have been abysmal without 12 out there on the floor for them and it may already be too late to claim a top-six seed this season. Still, it’s a good sign that Morant is taking accountability and it’s renewing some hope that the Grizzlies can turn their season around before it’s too late.
A Huge Return For Ja Morant
The last time we saw Morant healthy, he was making a case for being a top-five point guard in the game and the Grizzlies looked like a rising threat in the Western Conference. If not for their own arrogance and inexperience, the Grizzlies might have pulled off a legendary run last season. Instead, it ended in smoke and fire as Ja was suspended, Dillon Brooks was exiled, and the Grizzlies became the laughingstock of the league for their first-round humiliation.
Finally, after months of damage control, the Grizzlies are finally starting to recover and all eyes will be on their faithful leader as he returns to action next week. Besides his game on the court, critics will be looking to see how he leads the Grizzlies this season, knowing how much ground they have to make up in the standings. Needless to say, this will be a big test for Ja and perhaps a turning point for his career after so much drama and chaos surrounding last season.
Can Grizzlies Make A Run?
The Grizzlies basically ran it back with their group from last year, aside from Dillon Brooks who they replaced with perimeter guard Marcus Smart. On paper, the Grizzlies have everything they need to compete with the best in the West but they will only go as far as Ja takes them. If he’s distracted, or unavailable in any way, the Grizzlies don’t stand a chance to come out of the West.
But if Ja is even half of the guy he was in the 2022-23 campaign, the Grizzlies still have a chance to reclaim their place as one of the NBA’s rising powers. But for now, with so much still yet to be determined, Ja’s only goal right now should be to stay out of trouble. if he can do that, and prove to the world that he’s done with the drama, then it will go a long way in changing public perception of the Grizzlies as contenders in the West. As soon as December 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans, we will get our first chance to see Morant back in action and it could be a preview of what’s to come over the next few months.
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