Ja Morant and the Grizzlies weren’t worried about the Western Conference at all back in December — at least, according to Morant, anyway.
As it turns out, though, the Grizzlies should’ve been worried. Very worried. Memphis was eliminated by the No. 7 seed Lakers on Friday. And it wasn’t just that — they actually lost in Game 6 by 40 points to get eliminated.
That seems like the exact opposite of fine. It’s the exact opposite of the vibe Ja Morant gave Malika Andrews back in December when she asked him about what teams he should be watching.
He quite literally said “I’m fine in the West” when asked what opponents he should be worried about. Now, everyone is making fun of Morant and the Grizzlies for it.
Ja Morant in December 2022: "I'm fine in the West."
Ja Morant in April 2023: *Cancun bound after 1st round exit*pic.twitter.com/2iYrc4AxIG
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 29, 2023
To be fair to Ja, he is taking the criticism in stride. He knows what he said, he’s been hearing about it for months and he’s taking it on the chin. That’s the sign of a good trash-talker.
"I don't mind. I said it. I'll deal with it."
Ja on his "I'm fine in the West" comment pic.twitter.com/26wrrXIvQn
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 29, 2023
Still, that didn’t stop the jokes from flowing in.
“I’m fine in the west” pic.twitter.com/INJhtxSjG4
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) April 29, 2023
"IM FINE IN THE WEST" pic.twitter.com/sR2Sv0xczY
— David Portillo (@DavidPortillo0) April 29, 2023
When you realize you weren’t fine in the west. pic.twitter.com/ngWwWzaW5y
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) April 29, 2023
Ja morant said he was fine in the west just to lose to D’Angelo russell and Austin reaves by 40 in game 6 pic.twitter.com/8XXfjcGKNz
— John (@iam_johnw) April 29, 2023
me watching everyone get their “i’m fine in the west” jokes out pic.twitter.com/nAEwMh2gPW
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 29, 2023
Things aren’t too fine in the West anymore.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 29, 2023
Ja Morant: “I’m fine in the West”pic.twitter.com/lWu7FklEL8
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) April 25, 2023
Ja: “I’m fine in the West”
Lakers: pic.twitter.com/kxwxM4o7eh
— Josh B. (@jshyb_) April 29, 2023
The Lakers won….by 40. That's fine in the West.
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) April 29, 2023
“Nah im fine in the west”
– y’all in trouble
– Lebron pic.twitter.com/vsk9mK8ApT— SSB (@SSBurner_) April 25, 2023
Sorry, Grizzlies fans. These jokes are ringing off all summer long.
