Ja morant Ditches Imaginary Gun Celebration for Grenade Toss After Fine
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, recently fined $75,000 for mimicking the pointing of a gun during on-court celebrations, has adopted a new, equally controversial gesture: pretending to pull the pin and throw a grenade after sinking a 3-pointer. The change comes after league scrutiny over his previous actions.
Morant Debuts New Celebration in Loss to Timberwolves
Morant debuted the grenade-throwing mime during Thursday night’s 141-125 loss to the Minnesota timberwolves. He went 5-of-13 from beyond the arc and even covered his ears after the imaginary explosion of some shots.
Morant: “That’s My Celebration now”
“That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one,” Morant stated following Thursday’s shootaround, seemingly unfazed by the potential for further backlash.
Recap of Previous “Gun” Celebration
The initial fine stemmed from Morant’s gestures made during the Grizzlies’ 110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3. The league began scrutinizing the action after an april 1 game against the Golden State Warriors.
Teammates React to Morant’s celebrations
Teammate Vince Williams Jr. expressed support for Morant’s decision to switch celebrations. “It’s good for him,” Williams said. “He gets to save his money.Anything that benefits him saving his money,I’m all for it,honestly.”
Analysis of Morant’s Actions: TNT Crew weighs In
The new celebration was met with mixed reactions, including criticism from the TNT studio crew. Kenny Smith alluded to Morant’s past incidents, suggesting the gesture might be inappropriate considering his history. Shaquille O’Neal suggested Morant was intentionally generating attention. Charles Barkley joked that former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, who was fired recently, was probably relieved to no longer have to manage the situation.
What concerns, if any, does the NBA have regarding Ja Morant’s on-court behavior beyond simply violating rules, and how might those concerns influence future disciplinary actions?
Ja Morant’s Grenade Party: A Deep Dive
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has swapped his finger-gun celebration for a new, potentially controversial gesture: the grenade toss. This change follows a $75,000 fine from the NBA for his previous on-court antics. Let’s break down the details and explore the reactions.
Q&A: Unpacking Ja Morant’s New Celebration
Q: What exactly did Ja Morant do to get fined?
A: morant was fined $75,000 for using a finger-gun taunt during his celebrations. The league took issue with the gesture, leading to the penalty [[1](https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/grizzlies-star-ja-morant-debuts-new-grenade-celebration-after-being-fined-by-nba-for-gun-taunt-165142640.html)].
Q: What’s the new celebration?
A: Morant is now pretending to pull the pin and throw a grenade after sinking a 3-pointer.
Q: When did he debut this new celebration?
A: He debuted the grenade toss during the grizzlies’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Q: What was Morant’s reaction to the change and potential criticism?
A: Morant stated, “That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one.” He seems unfazed by the potential for further backlash, suggesting he might continue to push boundaries.
Q: what did his teammates think?
A: Teammate Vince Williams Jr. supported the change, stating it helps Morant “save his money.”
Q: How did the TNT crew react?
A: The TNT crew had mixed reactions. Kenny Smith alluded to Morant’s past incidents, suggesting the gesture might be inappropriate. Shaquille O’Neal suggested Morant was intentionally drawing attention, and Charles barkley joked about the situation.
Q: What’s the potential fallout?
A: The grenade celebration could draw further scrutiny from the NBA, potentially leading to more fines or disciplinary actions.
Q: What’s the history behind the criticism Morant faces?
A: The criticism stems from Morant’s prior use of the finger-gun celebration, which led to the $75,000 fine. The league, along with some analysts, is concerned about the potential impact of such gestures, especially given Morant’s public image.
Q: What’s the most vital takeaway from this situation?
A: Ja Morant’s actions highlight the ongoing debate about on-court celebrations, their impact on the game, and the balance between player expression and league regulations. It encourages discussions about the implications of gestures and the responsibility of professional athletes.
Ja Morant’s new celebration certainly has everyone talking. Stay tuned to see how the NBA and Morant navigate this evolving situation.
