Adam Silver Addresses Ja Morant's Suspension: 'This Is About Gun Safety'
By Melanie VanDerveer on July 12, 2023 at 11:30 AM EDT
During Monday's Associated Press Sports Editors conference in Las Vegas, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant's recent 25-game suspension. He explained that he feels the suspension is "appropriate."
Adam Silver Addresses Ja Morant's Suspension During Associated Press Sports Editor Conference On Monday
After brandishing a firearm during an Instagram Live for the second time this year, the Grizzlies star point guard was suspended for 25 games for conduct detrimental to the league in mid-June. The first offense got him suspended for eight games.
Silver wanted Morant's suspension and punishment to be more severe for his second offense in the hopes of deterring any similar future issues, and he left the terms "ambiguous." Not everyone was happy with the decision of a 25-game suspension, but Silver is standing by it.
"The 25-game suspension was left somewhat ambiguous because I wanted to work it out with him. I didn't want to then further impose check-the-box requirements in terms of coming back," he said during the annual Associated Press Sports Editors conference on Monday in Las Vegas.
"I wanted to come up with a program that was mutually agreeable in terms of him getting his life in order before he returns to NBA basketball."
The National Basketball Player's Association Called The Suspension "Excessive And Inappropriate"
Shortly after the suspension was announced in June, the NBPA expressed their unhappiness with Morant's suspension. Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio called it "excessive and inappropriate."
"Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players, and our league in the best possible light," Tremaglio said in a statement.
"As to the discipline imposed, which keeps him off the court until December and requires some unstated conditions to be met before he can return, we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for several reasons, including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league."
But Silver is standing his ground and said since it's Morant's second offense, "it was necessary then under the circumstances to further suspend him" and that it's "about gun safety."
"I’m certainly empathetic to the pressures he faces, but I also feel particularly around guns and the gun violence we're seeing among young people in our society that this is something we have to take incredibly seriously. This is not an attempt to weigh in on what the appropriate gun restrictions should be," Silver said.
"This is about gun safety. And again, from the time we initially met, we seem to be in agreement on how serious an issue this is."
After the first suspension, Morant reportedly attended a counseling program. Silver said that he believes Morant is continuing to seek help and that he's aware of the "enormous pressure that comes with being an NBA player, particularly a superstar player."
Morant's suspension starts off the 2023-2024 season for the Grizzlies star. He's also ineligible to compete in preseason and other team activities until his suspension is over. In addition to the 25-game suspension, Morant will also have to meet other requirements to be reinstated by the league.
Ja Morant Took Accountability For His Actions And Issued An Apology
Morant's suspension was announced shortly after the 2023 NBA Finals, and shortly after it was announced, the star NBA player issued a statement.
"I’ve had time to reflect and realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman, and Robert Pera — who allowed me to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done," his statement reads.
"To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I will better represent our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you; I promise."
He continued by explaining his plans for the offseason.
"I’m spending the offseason and suspension continuing to work on my mental health and decision-making. I will also be training to be ready to go when I can return to the court. I know my teammates will hold it down, and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season," he continued. "I hope you’ll allow me to prove to you over time that I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you."
