Shannon Sharpe has expressed his disappointment over the recent gun-related incident involving Memphis Grizzlies’ point guard Ja Morant. In an Instagram Live video shared over the weekend, Morant was seen brandishing an apparent gun, which has led to his suspension from team activities, as revealed by ESPN. This is the second time Morant has been involved in a gun-related incident in a matter of a few months, and Sharpe believes that those around him must change their actions to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. He also criticized those who defended Morant during his previous gun incident in March, stating that such defending only enables dangerous behavior.
Sharpe further suggests that the recent incident may lead to Morant losing millions of dollars in endorsements and NBA contracts. The NBA is currently investigating the video, and Morant may face a suspension twice the length of his previous one, which was for eight games. The Grizzlies may have to adjust their offseason plans, including trade targets, given the loss of their starting point guard. Moreover, Morant will now need to rebuild his reputation, and the team must focus on fostering leadership qualities and accountability among its players. That’s if they still want to keep Morant on the team.
Shannon Sharpe speaks on Ja Morant’s 2nd IG live incident in 2023 on Undisputed pic.twitter.com/mGtAo7ByHg
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“I’m mad, I’m upset, I’m disgusted by the people that defended (Morant),” he said. “Because that’s what got us here. All of the people that said let Ja be Ja, are y’all gonna be the treasurer of that GoFundMe account, because he just lost $39 million because he wasn’t on one of the three All-NBA teams. Sharpe believes Morant could very well end up losing his NBA contract and many of his endorsement deals for making the same mistake after just recently coming off his suspension for a similar incident where he flashed a gun. “He’s about to lose another $20-$30 million of these endorsements.”
Sharpe’s response to the incident highlights the seriousness of the matter and the need for individuals to be responsible with firearms. While it is unclear why Morant felt the need to display a gun on social media, it is crucial that athletes understand the consequences of their actions and how they can impact their career and personal life. The NBA has strict policies against guns, and any violation can lead to severe penalties, including suspension and fines.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Morant had been suspended for at least two games after he flashed a gun in an Instagram Live video from a strip club in Colorado. The incident prompted investigations by both the NBA and local police, and Morant issued an apology, taking some time away from the team to work on his well-being. But what exactly happened?
During an Instagram Live stream, Morant appeared to show a gun at a nightclub in Glendale, Colorado. The incident took place in the middle of the night, and it quickly went viral. Fans and media outlets alike were stunned by what they saw, with Morant later explaining that he was at the club with some friends and that someone had brought the gun with them.
The Glendale Police Department investigated the incident but could not determine that probable cause existed for the filing of any charges. Despite this, the NBA took action and suspended Morant for eight games without pay for “conduct detrimental to the league.” It was a significant blow to Morant’s reputation and career.