Ja Morant is a cautionary tale regarding social media and possible fallout for keyboard warriors who think they can do or say anything in those digital spaces and not need to face consequences in the real world.
Morant is the troubled NBA player who can’t seem to stop “brandishing” or “flashing” weapons on social media posts.
The NBA, in desperate need of polishing its image, frowns upon such things. Morant does not appear to be getting the message.
According to a report on ESPN.com, Morant is no stranger to poor judgment in general, having been involved in numerous off-court incidents. These include being sued by a high school prospect for an alleged punch to the head and fight during a pickup game at Morant’s. Later, according to the report, a gun was to be seen in the waistband of Morant’s pants. Morant also is said to have had behavior problems with others, most notably with another NBA team’s traveling party.
Morant was suspended for eight games in March by the NBA, after this team had sat him following the initial gun post on social media.
It took only until May for Morant to show up again on social media with a gun. And this time the NBA has decided to sit Morant for 25 games to start next season. That will cost Morant about $7.5 million in salary.
It is not clear whether Morant’s gun or guns were legally owned and he was licensed to carry them. What is clear is that his employer does not want him flaunting weaponry on social media. If Morant wants to exercise his Second Amendment rights and walk away from his career, then no problem. If he wants to keep cashing checks for playing basketball, he’d be wise to keep his guns to himself.
This is where too many ill-informed types go wrong, always stressing rights without acknowledging accompanying responsibilities.
Morant and fellow social media exhibitionists of bad behavior would do well to consider the words Shakespeare penned for the character Macbeth, who spoke them while reflecting on the death of his wife and the crumbling of his life on other fronts.
The description also could be applied to an abundance of social media posts: “Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
For the less literary-inclined, we also might offer up The Ballad of Ja Morant, to be sung to the tune of The Ballad of Jed Clampett, the theme of The Beverly Hillbillies TV show of the 1960s and early 1970s.
Come and listen to a story ’bout a man named Ja
Rich hoopster guy with a gun or so we saw
Never used the gun to go huntin’ for some food
Just pulled it out for the show when he was in the mood
(Social media you see, foolish stuff, idiocy)
Now the first thing you know old Ja was losing dough
His NBA boss said that the guns would have to go
While Ja had the right to keep and bear his arms
He had to be aware of his postings causing harms
(Bad image, role model, impressionable types)
Ja’s come to the time when he needs to get it right
To keep all his guns away from social media light
But if Ja keeps on going with his social media tales
The price to be paid will be measured in fails
(Time to grow up, gain perspective, maturity. Y’all keep readin’, ya hear?)
Sam Ross Jr's site 