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First Take

Hour 2: NBA Suspends Ja Morant

First Take

ESPN Radio

Sports

4.05.7K Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2023

⏱️ 41 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, Stephen A., Kendrick Perkins, Brian Windhorst, and Adrian Wojnarowski react to breaking news out of the NBA as Ja Morant is given a 25-game suspension following multiple videos seen on Instagram of the Grizzlies star holding a gun. We get the latest from Woj as it unfolds and react to a statement released from Ja Morant. Stephen A. and Perk debate what the Phoenix Suns need to do to surpass the champion Denver Nuggets next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Did you know choosing the train over your car can cut your carbon footprint by up to two thirds?

0:06.0

So, one family outing at a time, one little adventurer at a time, one trip to the museum, one dinner in the city, one nap on the way home at a time.

0:18.0

One train journey at a time can help create a greener future.

0:24.0

So when will you take your next trip? Find out more at nationalrail.co.uk slash greener.

0:30.0

Breaking news out of the NBA. According to our Adrian Wojłynierowski, the NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzly star,

0:37.0

Jomorant 25 Games to start the 2023-24 season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA released a statement regarding the suspension.

0:47.0

And in that statement, he stated, quote,

0:50.0

Jomorant's decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games.

1:02.0

The potential for other young people to emulate Joss' conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns.

1:16.0

We've got Stephen A. Perk, Wendy, and Wojłynier here. Wendy, we haven't heard from you yet. What is your reaction?

1:26.0

Well, as part of this statement from the league, Adam Silver says it's not just the act, but the fact that Jomorant is such a role model and he's looked up to by so many people and people mimic his actions.

1:40.0

And so that's obviously something that the league is very concerned about. Not just Joss' safety, which of course is obviously paramount here.

1:47.0

The league is seriously concerned about Joss himself and what could happen to him with these incidents.

1:53.0

But obviously, this is a player who is very much the face of the league. You know, when Nike gives somebody a signature shoe, it is not something that is to be taken lightly.

2:04.0

That is basically installing that player as a king of the league. It's someone to be globally marketed and branded.

2:12.0

It is a serious honor and something to be taken very seriously. And the league is in lockstep with that.

2:17.0

And I know that Perk recently said that there are some other great players in this league. But if you look at the guys in this league or under the age of 25, there is nobody who compares right now to where LeBron was under age 25, where Steph became, where Durant became.

2:33.0

The league is badly in need of John Morant to be a superstar. And they want people to look up to him.

2:41.0

So part of what's going on here is the sensitivity that the league has of Joss' status as a role model, which the league and the other marketing partners have joined in trying to make him.

2:54.0

So that's a big part of this as well. The other thing is I know that John had a second meeting with Adam Silver before they came to the conclusion of their investigation.

3:04.0

And obviously, these discussions that Joss had with Adam Silver both after the, you know, right before the first suspension and this action were extremely important.

3:13.0

Because the way that Adam and Joss relate and the frankness and the way that they need to communicate going forward is vital.

...

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