Ja Morant picked up where he left off before he was suspended as he made his season debut with a staggering 34-point performance against the Pelicans. However, let’s rewind a bit. The league had suspended Ja Morant for 25 games without pay after he was seen holding a firearm for the second time on Instagram Live. However, this was not the first case of an athlete misbehaving off the court. The NBA has had several instances of such misconduct, but none of them faced such heavy consequences, which had father Tee Morant questioning what “crime did he commit.”

However, on the other hand, Josh Giddey has also been under fire for allegedly having a relationship with a minor (16), Liv Cook. Despite the allegations and substantial evidence, the league has allowed the OKC Thunder star to continue playing. However, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas was able to find a silver lining in the league’s discrepancy in handling the two cases.

A silver lining in the 25-game suspension

As per Gilbert Arenas, there are two factors in play when it comes to the league’s disparity in dealing with Josh Giddey and Ja Morant’s cases. First, the NBA is waiting on Josh Giddey’s situation for a guilty verdict. “That’s the American way,” he says, regarding the policy of innocent until proven guilty. The second is that Ja has the potential to follow in the footsteps of LeBron James and Stephen Curry and become the next face of the league. “If he wasn’t part of the NBA’s future, they wouldn’t give two sh–s about that man. They wouldn’t care,” remarks Agent Zero. Josh Giddey receiving a lighter treatment makes it even more prominent. According to Arenas, they would take similar steps if the NBA believed Giddey had the same potential to carry the legacy of the NBA forward.

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He also highlights Ja’s significance by noting that his return game was broadcast on TNT. The NBA knows how relevant he is to the global market, and that’s why they went harder on him with the punishment. Therefore, his father, Tee Morant, should be proud since it is an acknowledgment that he’s possibly the next face of the league.

Ja Morant makes a triumphant return

In Ja’s absence, the Memphis Grizzlies went from being second-seeded last season to 13th in the West this season. While they are still placed in the 13th spot, Ja’s impact on the team was palpable in just one game. The Grizzlies entered the game against the Pelicans on a five-game losing streak. Despite trailing by as much as 24 points in the first half, the team under Morant’s leadership staged a comeback, clinching a 115-113 victory on Tuesday night.

Despite Controversial Background, Ja Morant Touted to Follow LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s Footsteps: “Average Kid Right Now Identifies With One Man”

Therefore, the Grizzlies can now finally breathe a sigh of relief that their high-flying guard is back. This will also allow Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to go back to their normal roles and alleviate the offensive pressure.

Do you think Ja Morant has the potential to be the next face of the league? Let us know in the comments!

Watch this Story: Letting “Frustrated” Kyrie Irving off the Hook, Jason Kidd Takes the Blame for Mavs Star’s Misery vs Grizzlies