Controversy & Success: The Story of Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies

In recent weeks, the Memphis Grizzlies have been in the public spotlight for a myriad of reasons. Most notably, star point guard Ja Morant has been the subject of immense controversy. Known for his high-flying and aggressive play style, Morant has spent the past four seasons making a name for himself as one of the best guards in the NBA. However, in recent weeks, the Grizzlies star has started to make a name for himself off the court as well but for all the wrong reasons. On March 4, Morant displayed a handgun on Instagram Live while in Colorado for a game against the Denver Nuggets, to which Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, responded immediately by suspending Morant for eight consecutive games, showing little mercy in their punishment. This scandal deeply impacted not just the NBA, but sparked discourse across the country about the role of athletes as role models in society. The situation was particularly messy due to the fact that Morant’s reckless actions could negatively influence his vast fan base. Therefore, setting precedent through a fair punishment was, rightfully so, the league’s greatest priority. After his lengthy suspension, however, Morant made his highly anticipated return on March 22, coming off the bench in a home game against the Houston Rockets. The fans met Ja with an extravagant standing ovation as he checked into the game, where he put up 17 points (PTS), four rebounds (REB), and five assists (AST) in his 24 minutes of play-time. 

During Morant’s suspension, the Grizzlies won six games and lost three (a win percentage of 66). Compare this to the seven games they have played since his return, in which they have gone 5-2 (a win percentage of 71), proving that they can still perform well in the absence of their star player, even if their overall performance is better with him in their rotation. Averaging an incredible 27 PTS, 8 AST, and 6 REB this year, the highest scoring average on the team and the tenth-highest in the league, Morant has contributed immensely to the Grizzlies’ success. In Ja’s absence, however, two up-and-coming players got a chance to shine in a new way that would not be possible with Morant on the court: Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks. During the Grizzlies’ “Morant-less” stretch, Bane averaged nearly 22 points per game with nearly 50 percent shooting from the field, both very impressive statistical metrics for an NBA player; Bane coupled his offensive successes by contributing effectively on defense as well. The power forward from Texas Christian University (TCU) has been showing immense improvement on all metrics, cementing himself as a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the court over the past 5 seasons. Additionally, shooting guard Dillon Brooks has been integral to the Grizzlies’ recent success, although he has gained more popularity as a result of his trash-talking of modern NBA greats. During an early February match-up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooks reportedly punched the Cavaliers’ starting shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in a heated altercation, leading to a suspension. More recently, Brooks has continued his long-lasting beef with Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green, as well as starting a new rivalry with shooting guard Klay Thompson. With his plethora of rivals and altercations, Brooks has become yet another controversial figure for the Grizzlies.

This year, Memphis has managed to retain the number two seed in the West, whilst also being the fourth-best team in the entire league, an impressive feat for such a young, albeit talented, squad. In the past, Memphis has struggled to perform at the highest level, only managing a winning record six times in the last ten years. Nonetheless, with the rapid development of Morant as a talent, as well as the addition of other critical players such as Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies are the closest they have ever been to winning the finals. Last season, Memphis finished with an impressive 56-26 record but fell to the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals after a rough six-game series. But with the team getting better at a rapid pace, and with Morant continuing to lead the charge, Memphis has a chance of seeing greater play-off success in this year’s postseason. But best believe, the Grizzlies will win the finals in the next five years. Mark my words…