Ja Morant Suspended: Memphis Grizzlies Stars Rose and Smart Reveal Their Goals
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose and 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart made it clear on Monday that they are not here to babysit their new teammate, Ja Morant. While they care for him as a human and a teammate, their main goals involve helping the Memphis Grizzlies win now and pushing Morant to succeed when he returns from his 25-game suspension on December 19.
“I want to see him succeed because if he’s not succeeding, I tell you one thing. This team’s not going to succeed. And we know that. And I think everybody in the NBA world knows that,” said Smart at the Grizzlies’ media day.
Rose, who played for Memphis in college, reached out to Morant and his father during the offseason. He hopes that Morant has learned patience and discipline during his time away from the court.
“Being able to make the adjustment, to have discipline to remind yourself or be mindful of the places you’re at, who you’re with, and your actions,” Rose said, highlighting the importance of maturity for a young player.
The Grizzlies announced on media day that Morant will be allowed to travel with the team and participate in practices and shootarounds throughout his suspension. However, he will have to leave arenas a few hours before tipoff. This arrangement was made by the NBA after Morant’s alarming behavior of flashing guns on social media.
Memphis Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations and general manager, Zach Kleiman, supports this approach and believes it is beneficial for both Morant and the team. He emphasized the importance of Morant staying on track and taking positive steps towards improvement.
Regarding the suspension, Kleiman stated, “There’s no reason why he can’t keep following through on this. So we’re glad he’s here and can’t wait to have him back.”
Head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about Morant’s opportunity to invest in his own well-being during this suspension. They have designed a plan to challenge Morant to be his best self on and off the court. With Morant’s history of injuries, the Grizzlies have experience playing without him, as they went 20-5 without him during his previous absence from the team.
Morant did not address the media on Monday, but his teammates expressed their support for him and mentioned his professionalism and positive influence in the locker room. With Rose and Smart leading the way, the Grizzlies are confident that Morant will make a seamless transition when he returns in December.
Smart is expected to start as the point guard at the beginning of the season, with Rose providing valuable experience and mentorship. Rose, who has faced injuries throughout his career, feels healthy now and hopes to prove that he still has a lot left in the tank.
As the Grizzlies prepare for the upcoming season, they know that having Morant around during his suspension is a huge benefit for the team. His presence and support have been invaluable in the past, and they look forward to his return to the court.
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