What did the NBA’s Adam Silver say about Ja Moran’t suspension?
With debate continuing to rage about Ja Morant’s suspension, the league’s commissioner finally spoke in defense of the punishment that was dealt to the Grizzlies star.
Regardless of where you stand, it’s clear that the country has an issue with gun violence and that seems to be at the core of the thinking behind what some have deemed an excessive sanction against Memphis’ best player.
NBA’s Adam Silver discusses Ja Morant’s suspension
While speaking on Monday at the annual Associated Press Sports Editors conference, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the situation surrounding Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension and called it “appropriate,” before going on to explain that he and the league intentionally refrained from clarifying the conditions for Morant’s reinstatement.
Adam Silver calls Ja Morant's suspension 'appropriate,' cites gun violence as concern https://t.co/YB0mOU8ycs pic.twitter.com/t6GrFwrqQN
— Hinge Galla (@GallaHinge) July 11, 2023
“The 25-game suspension was left somewhat ambiguous because I wanted to work it out with him,” Silver said. “I didn’t want to then further impose check-the-box requirements in terms of coming back. 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.” To be clear, Morant was suspended to begin the 2023-24 season due to multiple gun-related incidents in which he was seen flashing a gun on social media. For his first infraction, Morant was suspended for eight games back in March. At that time, the 23-year-old sought mental health treatment, something that he is understood to be continuing with at present. “As I understand it, he is continuing to seek help and I know there’s enormous pressure that comes with being an NBA player, particularly a superstar player,” Silver said.
NBA’s Players Association doesn’t agree
Despite the commissioner’s stance, the NBA Players Association does not see things the same way. Indeed, executive director Tamika Tremaglio pushed back on the 25-game punishment, calling it “excessive and inappropriate.” Yet, it can’t be ignored that Morant’s latest offense came just months after the first, something Silver himself spoke to. “It was necessary then under the circumstances to further suspend him.”
The National Basketball Players Association is unhappy with the length of Ja Morant’s suspension and the arbitrary nature of the conditions for his return. “We believe it’s excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons…” NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio says. pic.twitter.com/HVhFYSELne
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023
“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. Interestingly, Silver also answered questions surrounding the new CBA’s game minimum requirements for the league’s annual awards including the MVP and All-NBA honors, explaining that they had no bearing on Morant’s suspension.