The NBA has seen two young stars face a lot of off-court turmoil over the last 12 months. Ja Morant had multiple incidents of flashing a gun on Instagram Live, with the first time resulting in an eight-game suspension and the second time resulting in a 25-game suspension.
Josh Giddey was caught in an underage dating scandal, allegedly dating a girl in high school earlier this season. While Morant’s transgressions were punished with multiple suspensions, the NBA hasn’t done anything against Giddey. John Salley explained his thinking behind why on VladTV.
“Love and guns are two different things. Elvis Presley was a 19-year-old dating a 14-year-old… I have to make sure the words are coming out my mouth for what I’m trying to explain, but I remember girls in high school who would only date guys who could pick them up in a car. Not saying it’s right or wrong, but it’s always been like that.”
Salley also emphasized that the NBA’s worrying history with guns is the reason why Morant was punished heavily.
“It was two different things. It’s a different thing because we’ve had such bad experiences with gunplay in the NBA.”
Ever since what happened with Giddey was revealed, many fans have used the suspensions Morant received for brandishing a gun on social media as the benchmark for the kind of punishment Giddey deserves. However, the police investigation into Giddey went nowhere and it’s likely going to be a nightmare to prove wrongdoing on Giddey’s part without the victim’s family complying. The NBA is still reportedly investigating the matter.
Morant’s indiscretions were caught on tape and cannot be argued away. His punishments also came amid larger concerns, with a story of him punching a high schooler, his mother threatening mall employees, and his entourage allegedly flashing laser pointers at the Pacers bus making headlines last season.
The NBA can’t be called fair for how they’ve treated both players, but they’d rather police any of their players being associated with guns before potential pedophilia allegations. After all, Karl Malone has been heralded for his on-court accomplishments despite widely-known allegations of Malone’s inappropriate relations with a 13-year-old, whom he impregnated.
Ja Morant’s Suspension Ruined The Grizzlies Season
The cost of the NBA punishing Morant resulted in the Grizzlies season being over before it began. They started the season on a six-game losing streak and were just 6-19 by the time Morant returned. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury for Morant ruled him out of the season and guaranteed the Grizzlies tank to the bottom of the West. They never stood a chance at competing in the West after losing Morant for 25 games, injury or no injury.
The Grizzlies as a whole have been plagued by injuries all season. Their injury report regularly features upwards of 5-6 players, including starters like Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. They traded Steven Adams away and are expected to re-tool next summer with a lottery pick given their poor record.
The team was supposed to be entering their contention window after making the playoffs for the last three seasons. Now, they’re headed into a make-or-break offseason as Morant heals up and returns to lead a refreshed Grizzlies back to the top in the West.
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