Carmelo Anthony has criticized the Memphis Grizzlies for not effectively utilizing their star player, Ja Morant . Anthony believes that the team's current strategy fails to fully leverage Morant's exceptional skills, potentially hindering the Grizzlies' success. This critique has sparked discussions about the team's tactics and Morant's role within the organization amid their fight to make it to the play in tournament.
Carmelo Anthony calls out Memphis Grizzlies for their tactics of usig Ja Morant
While Ja Morant is busy making headlines for his hand gun-gesture in two of the recent games despite warnings from the NBA, Carmelo Anthony is concerned about another aspect. The NBA legend asserts that the Grizzlies are not using the young superstar the right way. In the recent episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Melo shared the reason why the Grizzlies’ strategies aren’t working despite Morant getting back in the roster.
"I'm Ja Morant. This is Ja Morant we talking about, he don't play off the ball. You don't put him on the corner. You don't have Ja sprinting corner. You don't have Ja off the ball. You don't have Ja coming off pin-downs. You can't do that with him. That's not his game. He's effective with the ball in his hands. He's always been effective with the ball in his hands. And that's who he's always going to be," Anthony said.
Anthony further claimed that the organizarion has been trying to fit Morant into their system while he has a different playbook, which, according to Melo, is being ignored.
"So you wonder who lose his swag. People say he lose his swag, and his aura, and his bounce, and his excitement. Yeah, this is new territory for him. This is new. I never did this type sh**,” Melo said.
He added, “I don't even know what this sh** feel like over here. So I don't feel comfortable, and I shouldn't be that when this is my team."
Still, Morant has been in his A-game; he is currently averaging 22.9 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
The NBA punished Ja Morant for his repeated hand gun gesture
The NBA has fined Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant $75,000 for making a finger-gun gesture twice during a game on Thursday, April 3, the league announced.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “The NBA has fined Memphis' Ja Morant $75,000 for finger gun gestures.”
Morant did not seem ready to change his approach just yet, but he did give the Grizzlies something to celebrate Thursday night. Despite a warning from the NBA about his finger guns celebration, Morant used it again, twice, early in the game against Miami.
Also Read: Ja Morant ignored NBA’s warning with another gun gesture in Memphis Grizzlies’ win over Miami Heat
He first broke it out less than five minutes in, then repeated it after a third-quarter three-pointer. But the real headline came at the buzzer. With the score tied, Morant sank a tough fadeaway jumper to win it. The NBA previously gave him and Buddy Hield warnings, calling the gestures inappropriate but not intentionally violent.
Carmelo Anthony calls out Memphis Grizzlies for their tactics of usig Ja Morant
While Ja Morant is busy making headlines for his hand gun-gesture in two of the recent games despite warnings from the NBA, Carmelo Anthony is concerned about another aspect. The NBA legend asserts that the Grizzlies are not using the young superstar the right way. In the recent episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Melo shared the reason why the Grizzlies’ strategies aren’t working despite Morant getting back in the roster.
"I'm Ja Morant. This is Ja Morant we talking about, he don't play off the ball. You don't put him on the corner. You don't have Ja sprinting corner. You don't have Ja off the ball. You don't have Ja coming off pin-downs. You can't do that with him. That's not his game. He's effective with the ball in his hands. He's always been effective with the ball in his hands. And that's who he's always going to be," Anthony said.
Anthony further claimed that the organizarion has been trying to fit Morant into their system while he has a different playbook, which, according to Melo, is being ignored.
"So you wonder who lose his swag. People say he lose his swag, and his aura, and his bounce, and his excitement. Yeah, this is new territory for him. This is new. I never did this type sh**,” Melo said.
He added, “I don't even know what this sh** feel like over here. So I don't feel comfortable, and I shouldn't be that when this is my team."
Still, Morant has been in his A-game; he is currently averaging 22.9 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
The NBA punished Ja Morant for his repeated hand gun gesture
The NBA has fined Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant $75,000 for making a finger-gun gesture twice during a game on Thursday, April 3, the league announced.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “The NBA has fined Memphis' Ja Morant $75,000 for finger gun gestures.”
The NBA has fined Memphis' Ja Morant $75,000 for finger gun gestures.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 4, 2025
Morant did not seem ready to change his approach just yet, but he did give the Grizzlies something to celebrate Thursday night. Despite a warning from the NBA about his finger guns celebration, Morant used it again, twice, early in the game against Miami.
Also Read: Ja Morant ignored NBA’s warning with another gun gesture in Memphis Grizzlies’ win over Miami Heat
He first broke it out less than five minutes in, then repeated it after a third-quarter three-pointer. But the real headline came at the buzzer. With the score tied, Morant sank a tough fadeaway jumper to win it. The NBA previously gave him and Buddy Hield warnings, calling the gestures inappropriate but not intentionally violent.
You may also like
Why isn't Toto Wolff at Japanese Grand Prix? Everything we know with Mercedes boss absent
The number one mistake that's stopping your peace lily from flowering - and how to fix it
Mamata Banerjee extends greetings on Ram Navami; appeals for upholding values of peace, prosperity
Explosions as Kyiv under missile attack
New Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu set for inauguration by PM Modi
