thelesterlee
On Thursday night, the Memphis Grizzlies were steamrolled by the Minnesota Timberwolves 141-125. Memphis was outscored 52-25 in the third quarter as the Grizzlies stepped on every rake with constant fouls, nasty turnovers and an offense consisting of zero actual plays.
Perhaps they should invest in a head coach.
In the midst of the late season beat down—most likely costing Memphis homecourt advantage in the play-in—although they were at the crib when Minnesota’s third quarter 52-point tsunami leveled the city—Ja Morant spammed his new grenade celly, where he pretends to throw a hand grenade into the stands and covers his ears to shield the blast.
Ja Morant ditched the gun celebration for a grenade celebration pic.twitter.com/tgKKWidB5k
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) April 11, 2025
Last week the NBA investigated a potential gun celebration Ja Morant may have, very obviously, done against the Golden State Warriors—resulting in a $75,000 fine and a week-long news cycle about Ja unleashing finger guns from the holster.
I understand the Ja Morant celebration frustrations. When he’s healthy, the Grizzlies live at the top of a stacked Western Conference. They finished as the 2 seed 2 of the last 3 seasons but were garbage last season when Ja didn’t play.
Morant missed a chunk of time when he could not stop himself from turning on the Instagram live camera drunk as hell, showing off his guns. After many warnings and even a faux-rehab program to deal with his “issues“, Ja continuing to antagonize the league with further gun-adjacent gestures can come off annoying.
I hate guns. Humans do not need to own a tool that exists exclusively to take life. No one on planet Earth should have access to such a destructive force. From the senseless loss of children to the dramatic difference in suicide deaths for gun owners compared to those who ain’t got it on them—guns don’t come with happy endings.
Actions have consequences. Kids automatically emulate whatever they see on TV, so if Ja is on ESPN letting the Uzi spray after a big 3, impressionable children will take that behavior to school with them. I know for a fact Degeneration-X had 90’s kids telling everyone to “suck it”.
None of this discourse occurs if Ja, simply, stops doing weird gun shit.
However, it’s not Ja’s responsibility to raise other people’s children. If your kid starts pulling out finger guns, then like, tell him not to. Be parents.
Shout out to Vinnie Goodwill but even writers I typically respect were rushing to talk down to Ja as if his actions hurt the league’s image and Morant must think about his brand and the dear children.
I’m an aging man. I pray I never become the dork who is telling young black men to pull up their pants and turn their hip-hop down.
Fuck the NBA.
Why can’t a cool, young 25-year-old superstar rebel against silly finger gun legislation? The NBA media is obsessed with boring debates about the face of the league and homegrown American stars being replaced by foreigners yet they treat Ja Morant as if he shot up the club one night.
Being defiant against society, systems and corporations is black American culture.
Social media has made every fan and media member think they’re a brand—always one viral tweet away from combing through sponsorships—ready to dish out meaningless advice to actual, real, walking superstar brands—about how they should be kissing the ring, never to rock the boat or express themselves in a way that could, perhaps, potentially, alter their income.
Milqtoast middle-aged men who grew up defending Allen Iverson against unfair criticism are now leading the charge against a truly harmless Ja Morant celebration.
No one’s life was negatively altered by Ja Morant getting excited and pew-pewing with his fingers. I don’t want to consume sports through the lens of protecting brand deals and corporate images.
People don’t like Mike Trout because he never does fun interviews or commercials. I love Mike Trout because he hits dingers. Are we watching sports because we like sports or are we all desperately seeking new, manufactured grievances to complain about online?
JA MORANT GAME WINNER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LpgnaZPEf0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2025
You will never make me turn my back against Ja because he’s overconfident or uncooperative with the league office or whatever. Y’all can all become hall monitors if you’d like. I will continue enjoying one of the coolest stars in the world, tossing grenades into the concession stands.
Honestly, next game I hope he hits a 3, backpedals onto the logo and flops to the hardwood like he accidentally stepped on a landmine. Have him dunk on someone and jump on Zach Edey so they can pretend to be a big ass tank. Lord knows NBA podcasts need shit to talk about.
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