By: Jonathan Han
The NBA has taken a firm stance on gun safety and has made efforts to address the issue of gun violence in the United States. However, recently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver suspended Ja Morant, a rising star in the league, for 25 games after he displayed a gun in a social media video for the second time.
Morant, known for his exciting style of play, has a large fanbase and significant influence on social media platforms, boasting 12.5 million followers. Unfortunately, he has used this platform to promote behavior that he himself acknowledges as harmful.
The NBA has been actively involved in discussions about gun violence, with prominent figures like LeBron James and Stephen Curry speaking out about gun safety. In January, the Golden State Warriors, the reigning NBA champions, visited the White House for a panel on the issue. Despite Morant not violating the league’s firearm rules, his actions have a negative impact on the NBA’s image and its ongoing efforts. Adam Silver stated that the suspension aims to convey that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated, particularly due to concerns about the potential influence on young people.
This is not the first time Morant has faced consequences for similar actions. In March, he was suspended for eight games after displaying a gun on an Instagram live-stream in a nightclub near Denver. Following that incident, Morant apologized and sought help from a health facility in Florida. However, he did not learn from his past mistake. He repeated the behavior by displaying a gun on another Instagram live-stream on May 13th, resulting in an indefinite suspension by the Memphis Grizzlies. Silver was reportedly shocked by the repeated offenses.
Kris Brown, president of Brady, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing gun violence, supported the NBA’s decision to suspend Morant. Brown emphasized that public figures are responsible for being held accountable for their actions in matters of life and death. The careless handling of firearms can have severe consequences, and individuals must recognize their impact on others.
The NBA collectively agreed to prohibit carrying firearms in any league or team facility after a 2010 incident involving Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, who threatened each other with guns in the Washington Wizards locker room. Both players were suspended, and Arenas expressed that it had a lasting effect on his reputation.
Despite Morant’s mistakes, Nike, his sponsor, continues to support him. They released his first signature shoe this spring and issued a statement expressing their commitment to supporting him both on and off the court while acknowledging his accountability.
Morant, realizing his influence on the youth, apologized and acknowledged his failure as a role model. He expressed his commitment to being better and representing his sponsors more responsibly. He also promised his fans that he would make it up to them and acknowledged that he has not been showing his best self. However, rebuilding trust may prove challenging for him.