Of everyone Ja Morant disappointed, one person matters more than the rest
“I am assuming the worst,” Silver told ESPN’s Malika Andrews in an interview ahead of the NBA Draft lottery Tuesday night.
It felt like a warning for what’s about to come.
Because, for the sake of this metaphor, Silver is also the principal. He’s the one in charge of doling out a punishment, and that’s perhaps being overlooked in the wide-ranging conversation that Morant’s latest misstep evoked.
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But distill this to its core, and this is really about two men now – Morant and Silver.
… It’s about whether Silver is angry or just deflated. It’s about whether he believes he must make an example of Morant, for Morant’s sake but also for the sake of his image as commissioner.
Silver’s initial comments weren’t exactly promising as far as Morant’s status for the start of next season. They indicated that there was a level of trust during that first meeting in March. That Morant understood he had done wrong…
… “the consequences there, an eight-game suspension was pretty serious and something that he, at least to me, seemed to take incredibly seriously at that time.”
A lot is already being made of what Silver said… “I’m assuming the worst.” The implication being that Grizzlies fans should assume the worst (and they probably should at this point). …
Silver is assuming it will be authenticated once the NBA’s investigation is complete, as unbelievable as it is to consider Morant would do basically the exact same thing that got him in trouble the first time when his offseason was barely two weeks old.
It’s the part in which Silver mentions the gravity of the 8-game suspension that should really make ears perk up. The implication being that this next suspension will be longer.
Maybe much longer.
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… of all the people Morant disappointed, Silver is the one who matters most of all.
