Charles Barkley labels Ja Morant a “fool” and tells him that a gun is “not known to everyone to have” after the latest gun-wielding incident – and lashes out at “bastards” who defend him after JJ Redick said he’s did not break the law’
- Charles Barkley told Morant to be smarter with his guns
- Barkley also tore media members who said he shouldn’t be punished harshly
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Before tipping off during yesterday’s Eastern Conference Finals game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, TNT’s Charles Barkley spoke about the recent controversy surrounding Ja Morant.
The Memphis Grizzlies star was suspended from “all basketball activities” by the team after he brandished a gun in an Instagram video. This came months after a similar incident at a Denver nightclub resulted in Morant being suspended for eight games by the NBA.
In a lengthy diatribe, Barkley criticized Morant’s actions – advising him to be smarter about his gun ownership and rather sensible.
He also criticized those he thought were defending Morant, saying he was not breaking any law. That comment came after ESPN’s JJ Redick said in First Take that Morant should not be suspended for half a season, while politicians who embrace gun culture while surrounded by mass shootings are not punished.
“We’ve got a few idiots, a few fools, a few assholes on television,” Barkley began. They really piss me off when I talk about, “Yeah, he should take a stand saying he didn’t break any laws. He didn’t do anything wrong. We’re in a state where you can carry your gun. “
Charles Barkley criticized Ja Morant, calling him a “fool” for his recent gun problems
Yes Morant appeared on an Instagram Live video on Saturday – where he was seen with a gun
Charles Barkley goes wild about the Ja Morant situation and “some idiots, some fools, some assholes on television who really just piss [him] out.” pic.twitter.com/HShZisdQqK
— Terrible Announcement (@awfulannouncing) May 18, 2023
These guys are just idiots. And I want to say freaking because you won’t let me say what I want to say.
“When you earn $100 million a year from sports, your life changes. There are certain rules and regulations that you must comply with, plain and simple. You can’t do stupid things. That’s the trade-off.
“Now, if you want to do all those things and give all that money back, you have more power. You can take that attitude and say, “You know, I want to do what I want to do. I want to flash my gun and shoot videos and do things.” Okay, that’s fine.
“But you can’t make any money with the NBA doing things like this. I just hope he grows up and realizes… first of all, you’re not a felon. You’re not a criminal.
‘You’re not a crook. You are a man who makes $200 million a year dribble a stupid basketball and you win the lottery.
Barkley also criticized people in the media (such as JJ Redick) who said that Morant was not breaking any laws
In March, Morant appeared to be holding up a gun in an Instagram Live video at a Denver club
“We’ve all entered the lottery… there are people who work nine to five, eight and nine hours a week to make $25,000 a year. They will kill to be in our situation.
“And at some point Kenney is right, they’re not your friends. Bill Parcells used to say, and I love it, he says, “Man, you’re just an unlucky dude. Bad things happen around you all the time. You’re just an unlucky dude.” No man, you need to look in the mirror and say “yeah, you know what? Maybe I’m the problem.”
“It’s disappointing because the boy is a great player, but to be a fool now becomes a bigger fool a few months later. And this is about your fifth or sixth gun thing.
“Hey, I’m a gun enthusiast, but I don’t understand why you’re flashing it. My bodyguard taught me, “Man, if you touch your gun, you better shoot someone. It’s not for everyone to know you got it.”