“He a legend,” Former Cowboy Dez Bryant lashes out at NBA veterans over their take on Ja Morant

Former NFL wideout Dez Bryant stepped up to defend Memphis Grizzlies' PG Ja Morant who is in the midst of a controversy.

“He a legend,” Former Cowboy Dez Bryant lashes out at NBA veterans over their take on Ja Morant

Ja Morant and Dez Bryant (IMAGE: AP)


Sports is a community; despite the existence of numerous professional leagues, when an athlete of any league finds themselves in the midst of controversy, the community of sportspersons sticks together and has the backs of their peers. The most recent victim of controversy is none other than Ja Morant, the All-Star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Ja Morant was seen brandishing a firearm during an Instagram Live session on one of his friends’ accounts. This was the second time in under 6 months that Ja has proudly flexed a firearm on social media. The first time he did this, the NBA took stern action against him as Commissioner Adam Silver suspended him for eight games, which resulted in the PG losing an estimated $600,000. This time, however, Commissioner Silver is likely to take more severe action against Ja, and the number of games for which he will be suspended is likely to be in the double-digit range.

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Ja Morant’s recent move has led to him being suspended from all team activities of the Memphis Grizzlies. In addition to that, he has been on the receiving end of criticism from sports analysts and prominent NBA veterans for his actions. Stephen Jackson and JJ Redick are two veterans from the NBA community who were not as critical of Ja after his most recent actions. 

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Stephen Jackson believes Ja deserves what is coming to him and should be held accountable, but at the same time, he is of the opinion that the NBA is not entirely blameless as the league has prominent rappers who often have lyrics that glorify flaunting guns. JJ Redick, on the other hand, believes that Morant should not be punished for doing something that is not against the law.

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Dez Bryant is fully supporting Ja Morant

Dez Bryant has Ja Morant's back
Dez Bryant has Ja Morant’s back. (IMAGE: AP/LAPRESSE)

Dez Bryant, the former Dallas Cowboys star shared his two cents on the entire situation via Twitter. Here’s what he had to say, “I know a couple things fasho. You fill out a W-2 and pay your taxes, and you play for the National Basketball Association. That’s your job. That’s like, a job, except this job, you love, you grew up playing, and you get paid millions and millions…with that being said, with this type of job, they have this huge-a** brand they love.”

Dez believes that the NBA is taking action to protect its brand, as there are millions of kids who look up to the athletes in the league. Ja Morant has become one of the top athletes in the NBA and has garnered many fans in the process, his name is also a brand on its own, and the NBA is taking action in order to protect his name as well.

Dez disagreed with Stephen Jackson who dubbed Ja’s actions as a ‘moron move.’ Here’s what he had to say, “Come on Stephen Jackson. You just said the other day you wasn’t gonna condone this. I’m pretty sure we’re really from that. I’m not saying Ja not. He probably got a little taste of it, but I know we really from that. We’re supposed to be the leaders and really telling this man the truth.”

He goes on to address JJ Redick, “JJ Redick, I get your point with the politicians and all of that stuff. But say it, brother. This ain’t got nothing to do with…breaking the law. This has got to do with who he is, what he became, and where he’s trying to go.”

Dez Bryant shared his personal thoughts on Ja Morant and expressed his support for the PG, “I see Ja as more than a superstar basketball player. He a king, he a legend for making it where he at, because there are a lot of kids who look like us that don’t get them opportunities who have that talent.

“So he’s more than a basketball player. That’s why it means so much to me to send this message. Let’s stop having these unnecessary debates and stay on topic. It ain’t right, Ja. And I support you,” Dez concludes.

Ja Morant has been critiqued for his actions as he has established himself as an influential player in the NBA. He has a lot of young fans looking up to him and his actions are likely to influence them in the wrong way. The league is still looking into his actions and is yet to determine what his punishment should be.

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