Charles Barkley attacks Ja Morant and his defenders: 'Freaking idiots' / News - Basketnews.com

Barkley called out Morant and the people on television arguing against punishing the player, saying that these people are idiots and piss him off. Morant should take a look in the mirror and realize that he's the problem, the Hall of Famer said.

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Memphis Grizzlies superstar guard Ja Morant is in the public discourse once again after flashing a gun on yet another Instagram Live video. While some are defending the player, others are calling for harsh punishment for the star athlete.

3-pointers this season

35%12,0Points made:12,0Accuracy:34,8%Place in standings:16Record max:25Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Desmond BaneTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has recently said he was shocked to find out about it. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has noted that a lengthy suspension might be coming for the player. His colleague JJ Redick, however, took a stance, arguing against it, saying that Morant didn't break any laws.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has also taken a stance on his podcast, arguing against severe punishment for Morant.

Before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had some rough words for people who are defending Morant in this situation.

"We've got some idiots, some fools, some jackasses on television that really just piss me off, talking about [how] Ja should make a stance saying he didn't break any laws, he didn't do anything wrong, we're in a state where you can carry a gun... Those guys are just freaking idiots," Barkley said. "It pisses me off when I hear guys say that."

"When you're making $100 million a year to play sports, your life changes. There are certain rules and regulations you have to live by, plain and simple. You can't do stupid stuff, that's the trade-off. If you want to do all that stuff and give all that money back, all power to you, you can make a stance - I want to do what I want to do, I want to flash my guns, make videos, and do things - ok, that's fine. You can't make money in the NBA doing this stuff. I just hope that he grows up and realizes that," Barkley explained his view.

Ja Morant

MIN:32.35PTS:26.05 (54.42%)REB:5.94As:8ST:1.14BL:0.26TO:3.38GM:66ProfileNBA2022/2023

Following the incident, former NBA player Kwame Brown came out with a fiery monologue, harshly criticizing Morant for his actions throughout the season. Barkley is of a similar opinion.

"First of all, you're not a thug, you're not a criminal, you're not a crook. You're a guy making $100 million a year to dribble a stupid basketball. You hit the lottery. We all hit the lottery. There are people out there working 9-to-5, 80-90 hours a week, making $25,000 a year. They would kill to be in our situation," Barkley said.

"You have to look in the mirror and say 'You know what, maybe I'm the problem'. It's disappointing because the kid's a great player. To be a fool already and to be a bigger fool a couple of months later, and this is like a fifth or sixth gun thing... I'm a gun guy but I don't understand why you're flashing it," the Hall of Famer said. "My bodyguard teaches me - if you touch your gun, you better shot somebody, it ain't for everybody to know you got it. I guess he thinks he's with Antoine Fuqua and Steven Spielberg."

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