Ja's Rule

What is left to say about talented NBA star Ja Morant that hasn’t already been said as he faces yet another suspension by the league for his questionable off the court actions? Let’s cut to the chase here. I have been on social media reading all of the back and forth debates and different opinions people have had on the situation and personally, I agree with both sides of the debate. On one hand, there is no crime in being in his own space, showing off his gun while rapping to an NBA Youngboy song. People on social media have pointed out that if he legally owns the gun, he has 2nd amendment rights, right? So what’s the problem? And personally, I agree. Which also brings to light another debate that was found on Twitter in which people have stated that it's perfectly ok for White people (or White athletes) to be able to pose in pictures with guns or show off guns while hunting and no one bats an eye. Which seems true, but let’s keep it real here, Black athletes are and have always been under the microscope when it comes to public perception. And the influence of hip hop culture mixed into it hasn’t made the situation any better. Just look at the influence Allen Iverson once had back in the late 90’s to 2000’s. He had many people all over the world wanting to not only play like him, but also dress and look like him as well. The baggy jeans, the cornrolls, the tattoos, the jewelry, and the attitude. He was the exact opposite of what the NBA presented to the world with the wholesome, family friendly Michael Jordan. Iverson’s influence (followed by others like Carmelo Anthony) was so strong that the NBA decided to introduce a business casual “dress code” in 2005 because of the complaints about the extremely baggy clothing and it not being a good representation of the league and it’s players. Of course, excuses are given as to why it was implemented, but at the end of the day, we know deep down that it was to tone down the strong influence that the hip hop culture had on the league at the time. So, with the multiple off the court issues Ja has already faced this season, this most recent issue has put him further in the crosshairs of detractors and critics who feel like this kid is becoming a real problem even though he hasn’t committed an actual crime.

Now on the other hand, basketball player or not, Ja Morant works for a company that presents itself as family friendly entertainment. So, what does that have to do with what Ja did on his own time in his own setting off of the court? It’s not like he was on the court acting a fool, right? What he does on his own time in his own space is his business. Especially if he isn’t out there hurting anyone. Well, all of the above are true, however, he works for a company that wants to present themselves and their players as entertaining and competitive yet responsible and professional both on and off the court. These players are a 24/7 representation of where they work whether they like it or not. When an athlete gets in trouble or does something to put them in the spotlight, people will quickly associate that player with what they do and where they play which can affect the reputation of the company they represent. Not only that, but as an athlete/entertainer, they have kids who look up to them and emulate them and when they see their favorite player Ja Morant having fun, listening to violent music, and flashing a gun, some of these kids will think it’s “cool” because he’s doing it. Yes, I know, it is not an athlete’s job to teach kids nor is it their responsibility to be a role model, but let’s face it, looking up to athletes has been something kids have done before any of us were born and that’s never going to change. Their name is also a “brand” and they’re either going to attract people to it or push them away. Is it fair to put so much on the shoulders of these young men to where they feel like they can’t have any fun and be themselves because someone will nitpick everything they do? Probably not. But that’s the way it goes sometimes and just like any other job out there, they can either play by their employers rules or find somewhere else to work that will fit their need and lifestyle. Or, they can keep making the same mistakes over and over and find themselves fired and easily replaced. The league doesn’t revolve around Ja Morant. New stars are born all the time and there is always a hungry mouth out there who wants to show that they can be a great player if given the opportunity. At the end of the day, he’s still young, but I hope he can get it together before he finds himself out of chances.