“Like Me With the Gun Thing,” Ja Morant Gets Heartfelt Advice from Former NBA Villain Gilbert Arenas

Former NBA player and three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has shown support once again for Ja Morant after his recent altercation.

“Like Me With the Gun Thing,” Ja Morant Gets Heartfelt Advice from Former NBA Villain Gilbert Arenas

Ja Morant (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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Memphis Grizzlies point-guard, Ja Morant has been in the headlines for all the wrong news over the last two years. Morant has had his fair share of struggles, both on and off the court. The guard has has missed the last four games for the Grizzlies due to injury and was also suspended earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the team following their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

With all the noise and controversies surrounding him, it looks like it has taken a hit on his performances on the court as well. Morant is averaging 17.9 points per game this season which is his lowest average since his rookie season while shooting at a poor 35.9% from the field.

If there is one player from the past or present who can sympathize with Morant, it is Gilbert Arenas. The former NBA All-Star’s career never recovered after he brought guns into a locker room. Hence, Arenas knows how it feels to be in Morant’s shoes and has shown support for the 26-year-old a few times before.

On Gil’s Arena, the former Wizards guard defended Morant’s once again after the latter’s recent altercation with Klay Thompson.

Ja got this dark cloud over him and no matter what people gonna think of all the negative things associated with his name before the positive he’s done in this league. It’s like me with the gun thing. He needs to find a way to rid himself of that negativity.

Ja Morant: Future face of the league?

Ja Morant was drafted as the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, behind Zion Williamson. Williamson has struggled with injuries ever since he made it into the NBA. Morant has had his problems with injuries but has shown to be one of the most explosive and entertaining players in the league, earning himself two NBA All-Star appearances and the Most Improved Player award in 2022.

While it looks like the foreign players have taken over the league and have dominated the individual awards in the last few years, the face of the league has always been an American. As the NBA prepares to shift away from LeBron James and Stephen Curry as the faces of the league, the league needs to make a push for a homegrown player.

There have been talks to push for Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum, Arenas made a case for Ja Morant, whom he believes the NBA hasn’t given up on yet because of his connection with the fans.

That was the person that was next in line. He had a fall. All they’re doing is waiting for him to clean up. It’s going to be him because the person who controls the kids controls the market. When the NBA is ready, Memphis is coming off that guy.

Potential trade for Ja Morant

While there is immense potential and talent in Morant, injuries and the noise off the court have not helped him nor the Grizzlies so far. A team that was deemed to be a future contender in the West after a Western Conference semifinal defeat to eventual champions, Golden State Warriors, things have only gone downhill since.

Morant
Ja Morant (Image credits – Basketball Network)

And after the recent suspension of the star player, it looks like the Grizzlies and Morant are not on the same page anymore. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo and Morant don’t have the best of relationships currently and Grizzlies may look to rebuild after trading Desmond Bane in the offseason.

While his attitude on and off the court may not appeal to every franchise and trading for a player like Morant comes with its baggage, there are no doubts when it comes to his potential as he could lift the chances of competing for any team in the league.

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