Ja Morant, addressing recent incidents, says ‘I realize what I have to lose’

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant said in an interview Wednesday that he had a pattern of inappropriate off-court decisions during the week and a half following the incident that saw him suspended eight games from the NBA. He said he realized how much risk he was taking.

Hours after the Grizzlies played the Nuggets in Denver on March 3, Morant posted an Instagram Live video from a local nightclub. The All-Star guard entered a counseling program at a facility in Florida soon after, and the league office investigated his firearm handling.

In an interview Wednesday, Morant said, “Honestly, I feel like we’re in that situation because of our past mistakes. Along with ESPN’s Jalen Rose, he mentions his inner circle.” In the past I feel like I didn’t know what was at stake and now I finally have the time to figure it all out I spent that time alone and now I realize it .

“I understand what I have to lose and what we as a group have to lose: to be more responsible, smarter and stay away from all bad decisions. ”

Morant held a round-table discussion with Rose in New York hours after meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and he called Morant’s actions “irresponsible, reckless and irresponsible” in a statement announcing his eight-game suspension on Wednesday. It can be very dangerous,” he said.

Morant has been out with the Grizzlies since the video was posted, and the franchise had previously announced he would be sidelined until at least Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. It covers the six games he has already missed, including the game in Miami.

Morant said of his meeting with Silver, “It was good. It was almost an open discussion.” “Obviously he said I had to get better, but it was more than just showing his support for me…its negativity for all of us who made bad decisions.”

Morant said the gun in the video “didn’t belong to me,” but declined to say who owned it or how it got to him.

“That’s not me,” Morant said. “While I do not condone it or any type of violence, I take full responsibility for my actions. I made a bad mistake. I can, but in the future, I’m going to show everyone who Ja really is and who I am, and change this story that everyone has. ”

Morant explained his decision to conduct an Instagram Live session while partying at the Shotgun Willies strip club in Glendale, Colorado, as “almost just trying to be free.”

“I shouldn’t have gotten away with it,” Morant said. “I feel like that’s why I’ve made so many bad decisions in the past. It hardly describes me. It doesn’t describe Ja as a person. It’s my job now, so I’ve taken that time to become a better person.

Morant spoke vaguely about other recently reported incidents. For example, he got into a fight with a 17-year-old boy during his backyard pick-up basketball game, ran into a security guard at his mall shopping in Memphis after getting a phone call from his mother, or went to a Memphis high school. and collided with each other. In response to an NBA investigation after his sister was insulted during a volleyball game and a post-game confrontation between Morant’s associates and his Indiana Pacers, both incidents led to arrests and criminal charges. did not.

“Most of what happened in the past, obviously, I put myself into being there,” Morant said. Most of them are lies.I can’t say too much about those situations because all of them are sealed.I really can’t wait to finally be able to tell the truth…but All I can say is, as I said before, none of them are my personality. I was the only one checking safety. I left the scene safely.”

Morant joined a counseling program in Florida shortly after posting the video in Colorado. He spoke with a therapist, learned that it was okay to express his feelings, and worked on techniques to deal with stress, such as Reiki treatments and anxiety breathing.

Morant, 23, a four-year NBA veteran, said: “I am in a very comfortable space. I spent those days learning how to be there for myself and being able to learn different ways to manage stress in a positive way. rice field.”

Morant is eligible to return to the Grizzlies on Monday, but he won’t face the Dallas Mavericks at home that night. He said he needs to take some more time to physically prepare for his return after not exercising while in Florida.

“I also put the team in a tough spot by not being on the floor because of a decision I made,” Morant said. “I regret everything. I know what my punishment is and I can’t wait to get back on the floor. To accept it and take that punishment for my mistakes and what I did. I feel like I deserve it, but I’m ready to get back there and push the ring.”