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The life of an NBA athlete is strife with controversy. Whether it is on the court or off it, the constant media attention can get tiresome. Further, a small misstep can have major repercussions on the player’s image and respect. Unfortunately, in the case of Ja Morant, most of the blame was on the man himself. After all, he himself flashed a firearm on his own IG live in a clear violation of league policy.

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However, a Boston Celtics legend, who lent a helping hand to the disgruntled star earlier, spoke out on his hopes about the young sensation.

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Ja Morant: The redemption?

The switch for the Memphis Grizzlies from grit-and-grind to flashy, high-octane young sensation was quick, sudden, and wholly welcome. But, it wasn’t rocket science to see the impact of Morant’s style on the entire team.

However, as with all redemption stories, our hero’s standing took a massive turn. In one season, Ja went from the coolest kid on the block to a troublesome youngster. The chief reason? His repeated trysts with a firearm.

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After a strict reprimanding from the league for gun exposure, a second incident saw Adam Silver place a 25-game suspension on #12. However, Paul Pierce was in complete disagreement with the league.

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Now, speaking on his presentation with his good friend Kevin Garnett, Pierce sent out some more words of encouragement toward the 24-year-old. “They’ve been through so much last year. But he got to really change the narrative on himself and really show people who he really is. That’s Ja Morant.

Pierce pointed to how the incident had changed the entire perception of the youngster. Most importantly, he sought his exclusion from the men’s basketball team for Team USA in spite of being one of the 10 or 15 best players in the league.

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It’s not the first time that Paul has extended a supporting arm toward Morant. When his image was at an all-time low, the former Finals MVP still took his side, relating to his own experiences.

Pierce in disagreement with league verdict

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In what remains one of the most unimaginably strong feats of strength and character, Paul Pierce suited up for all 82 games during the 2000-01 season.?However, that came after the 10-time All-Star had been brutally stubbed 11 times just days before training camp.

Read More: ?I Carried a Gun After I Was Stabbed, Y?all Don?t Know What He Going Through?: Ja Morant Shocker Leads to Huge Admission By NBA Legend

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Drawing from the horror of his own experiences, Pierce shared a moving tweet in support of Ja.??I don?t care what y?all say about Ja I carried a gun after I was stabbed y?all don?t know what he going thru everyone got something to say until u really know what?s really going on in someone life when u black and rich u a target period.”

While the tweet did not cause a softer stance from the league, it did leave a lot of people wondering. However, with a revamped roster, and a veteran PG to mentor the young Morant, can the Grizzlies bounce back?

And more importantly, can Ja Morant return to his loveable self, completing a perfect story of redemption?

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Priyanshu

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Priyanshu is an NBA beat Writer at EssentiallySports, with a healthy command over the technical aspects of the sport. Priyanshu has creatively covered the often entertaining interactions between legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley along with in-depth analysis of the games. He was at the forefront of the 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, covering each and every aspect of the historic night in Springfield, Massachusetts. Furthermore, his article on Shaq and the UFC garnered close to a million pageviews. Moving away from the world of sports, Priyanshu is also an avid gamer, who can display other-worldly skills on NBA 2K.

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Manaal Siddiqui

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