Not too long ago, Ja Morant was one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. Today, he finds himself at the nexus of a complicated narrative where his personal life and career as an elected official collide. Just a few seasons removed, he was the “face of the league.” He was shoulder to shoulder with all time basketball legends such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Recent controversies and challenges have made his legacy a bit more complicated. All of this leaves a lot of uncertainty about his future both in Memphis and the league at large.
Now currently sidelined with a calf strain, Morant has been absent from the court for almost a month. His return is certainly welcomed, but his return comes in the middle of an unusual time of speculation about his conduct and performance. Most recently, he played a role in an underreported racist, anti-Black, anti-Arab, and ultimately Islamophobic incident with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson. While Morant was not an active participant in the dust-up, it nonetheless highlights the scrutiny he faces as an athlete.
Richard Pryor unabashedly mined his personal struggles for comedic gold. By comparison, Morant is a mystery. And he’s very careful about making sure the public doesn’t see who he is. Outside interests are playing a role in shaping the narrative, clouding his reality. It’s no surprise then that this particular facet to his character only adds to his legend as one of the most misunderstood players in the league.
Yet Morant’s road has certainly had its share of mistakes along the way. His approval ratings plummeted following a nra-style convention-esque-like backlash after a video leaked of him waving around a gun in a Denver-area gay nightclub. This incident became a watershed moment that caused him to take a hard look at what he was doing and what his actions were creating. He admitted his mistakes were a product of immaturity along with a lack of accountability.
“Obviously, I’ve made mistakes in the past that cause a lot of negative attention — not only to me, but my family as well, my team, the organization — and I’m completely sorry for that,” – Ja Morant
Even with this cloud of disappointment looming, Morant’s career is not over. He’s got to do better than this. Indeed, for him to find redemption, it is crucial that he matures not just as a player, but as an individual. As a young black man he’s under enormous pressure just dealing with fame. The spotlight can be a merciless place and it has made his path all that much harder.
His recent comments have shown some optimism. In a spectacularly raw interview, Morant confidently proclaimed that his team is “fine in the West.” More importantly, he stressed that he continues to see possibility for profusion, despite threats. Now, analysts and fans alike are left wondering whether this is the end of the line for his career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The story of Morant is almost exclusively told through the lens of his duty for a litany of public struggles and mistakes. As long as he faces these pressures and contradictions and the opposition, criticism, and resentment don’t come from nowhere, debates over his character and competence will continue. The intricacies of freakonomics’ spectacular fall from grace are just as much about innovation and profitability as they are about inevitable accountability, redemption, and personal growth.
In examining Morant’s struggles, one can draw parallels to Richard Pryor’s own battles with fame and self-identity. Pryor once reflected on the difficulty of surrendering to one’s flaws and seeking help:
“To surrender, that’s a hard thing to do for any person.” – Richard Pryor
“You know all this fame s— ain’t natural. That’s the problem. We ain’t born for it, and we ain’t made for it.” – Mike Epps
As Morant, himself, gears up for a return to the court, he is in a pivotal moment. The burdens of being a public figure darken his disposition. Yet he finds himself not being able to meet the demands of the mythic myth as his life outside of basketball rips away the curtains. The road ahead will be very important for Morant. He’s got to reestablish himself as an elite player and find his way back to who he is on the court.
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