Ja Morant has caused more off court headlines in the past year than his whole career combined and his teammate Derrick Rose has given his honest thoughts about Ja’s situation.
Memphis have been struggling without their biggest star, since he copped a 25-game ban for his gun wielding actions last season.
The 24-year-old has largely tried to remain in the background, according to ESPN.
Some of his Grizzlies teammates have appreciated that, including Rose.
“He’s a hardworking motherf—er. I know that,” Rose told ESPN. “I’m proud of him, very proud of him. Never complains. He’s there early, there after, at shootaround, practices. He’s doing everything the team wants him to do, and I’m just happy that he’s creating his own reality and his own bubble. You can just see it. You haven’t heard anything about him. And that’s a great thing.”
ESPN went on to reveal how the Memphis organization feel about Ja’s time away from the game.
“Privately, the Grizzlies hope that Morant has learned from the suspensions, the public apologies and the embarrassment. They hope this time away from playing has allowed him to mature and be the leader the franchise expects and needs. But uncertainty still looms.”
Ja makes his long-awaited return to the league against the Pelicans on Tuesday, and has explained how he wants to better himself as a person, but not lose sight of himself.
“I honestly feel like I can’t go away from being Ja,” Morant said. “I feel like that’s the most important thing, not trying to lose myself or be somebody that I’m not or act totally different, but the change will be my decision-making and how I go about my daily life of being a NBA player, a father, a role model, a brother, a son, and just focusing in on that being the best Ja I can be.”