The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Saturday that they had suspended star guard Ja Morant for one match because of "conduct detrimental" to the side. Morant, after a poor performance in the Grizzlies' 117-112 defeat to the LA Lakers on Friday, seemingly blamed the coaches. NBA insider Shams Charania said that what Morant told the reporters was not appropriate.
Former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins offered a solution to Morant's situation in Memphis on Saturday with a tweet:
“Ja to minny Or Houston! Please and thank you!”
Ja Morant ignored many of the media's questions during the postgame interview after the defeat to the Lakers. He told reporters to "Go ask the coaching staff."
When pressed about how the Grizzlies could have prevented the collapse, Morant added:
"According to them, probably don't play me, honestly. That's basically what the message was after, so it's cool."
"G12" mentioned that he was not ill or injured, making his lackadaisical effort more confusing. The former All-Star tallied eight points, seven assists and one steal in 31 minutes.
More importantly, he showed nonchalance on the defensive side, especially in the fourth quarter. The point guard also left a huddle to sit near the fourth row. Morant's showing was a key reason the Grizzlies blew a 14-point lead in the shocking loss to the Lakers.
Blake Griffin calls out Ja Morant
Former NBA player Blake Griffin commented on what he saw from Ja Morant in the defeat against the Lakers. While covering for NBC, Griffin reacted to Morant's display:
"I didn't love what I saw from Ja Morant tonight. For a guy that's making $40 million and needs to be the leader of this team, like, I just don't love it. … He's an all-world talent. But that type of effort right there, that's the thing that we will call out."
Griffin added that the Memphis Grizzlies could only go as far as Morant can take them. If he is not committed enough to being part of what the Grizzlies plan to do, then the solution DeMarcus suggested could be on the table.