This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Here’s Charles Curtis.
The headline here is something I could write a dozen times and then publish.
I saw it all over Twitter on Sunday: How could Ja Morant — who was already suspended by the NBA last season for brandishing a gun at a nightclub, along with other reported aggressive incidents — go on Instagram Live and appear to show off a gun once again? What happened after the superstar Memphis Grizzlies guard underwent counseling?
But we need to change the conversation here. Stop ripping Ja Morant. Instead, hope he gets the help he so clearly needs.
Because we’re talking about a 23-year-old here, one who appears to be struggling. That’s the only conclusion I can come to after what happened earlier in the year is happening again. If you’re suspended for brandishing a gun, then brandish a gun again when you’re warned that you will face further discipline? It feels like something is not OK with Morant.
The current suspension from Grizzlies team activities feels like only the beginning (and arguably not enough, given that it’s a repeat offense). I can’t imagine the league will look at this repeat behavior favorably, and nor should it. A lengthier suspension should be next.
If this is truly a cry for help, then again: Don’t rip him. Hope he gets the help he truly needs if he does end up sitting out for a while next season.
Quick Hits: Oh no, Sixers … An almost MLB brawl … and more.
— Rough ending to the season for the 76ers, who lost Game 7 to the Celtics. Joel Embiid was classy after the buzzer, but Doc Rivers looked despondent and NBA fans ripped the Sixers.
— Meanwhile, Ben Simmons appeared to enjoy watching the Sixers lose. Ouch.
— Benches cleared after Jake Bird clapped his glove at Bryce Harper.
— This was lovely on Mother’s Day: Lars Noobaar got surprised by his mom on Sunday Night Baseball.
