Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant has spoken for the first time after appearing on video with a gun. Although he had already apologized through his social networks, he has now given an interview to ESPN where he has opened up.
The incident, which has caused a real stir, has caused the NBA to suspend the point guard for eight games —six of which he has already served—, and the player himself decided to voluntarily enter a therapeutic counseling center to manage his problems. of stress and anxiety.
The point guard, in statements to ESPN, has shown his regret for what happened. "That gun wasn't mine. It's not who I am. I don't condone any kind of violence, but I take full responsibility for my actions," he said. "I've made a big mistake. I can see the picture I've painted of myself with these recent mistakes. In the future, I'm going to show everyone who Ja really is, what I'm about, and change the narrative everyone is have," he added.
Regarding the rest of the controversies in which he has been involved in recent weeks, Morant has denied that they are true. "About those incidents that have been talked about lately, most of them are lies. What I can say is that I am not that person. I am a type of family, I always take care of mine," he explained.
These controversies refer to the confrontation with a shopping center security agent and a 17-year-old boy, in addition to the accusation by the Indiana Pacers, who claimed that the player had pointed a gun at the team bus after a match.
The Grizzlies leader also took advantage of the interview to apologize to his team and his fans. "I have put my team in a difficult position by not being able to be on the court due to the decisions I have made. It tastes bad to me and I want to play again. I know the punishment and I think I deserve it, but when I return I will be prepared to push for a ring," he said.
Morant acknowledged feeling "stronger than ever" on a mental level after having worked on his behavior problems. "I realize what I have to lose, what we can lose as a group. It's about being more responsible, being smarter and staying away from bad decisions," she said.
The one from South Carolina could reappear next Monday against the Dallas Mavericks after serving the sanction matches for his behavior, which, according to commissioner Adam Silver, was "irresponsible, inconsiderate and potentially very dangerous."
