Carmelo Anthony tells Ja Morant to “man up” amid Memphis drama

There was a time when the talks about Memphis Grizzlies centered on the question of when the team will take the next step towards the title fight. A similar narrative formed above I Morant. “When will he enter the MVP conversation?” Discussions regarding grizzlies aren’t nearly as positive anymore. Monitoring the latest drama between the two-time All-Star point guard and the coaching staff, many fans are just waiting for an official breakup.

However, with trade market for Morant in a seemingly less than ideal state at the moment, the best course of action for both parties might just be to move on together. Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony believes it is necessary that the All-NBA Second Team selection in 2021-22 manage your emotions and figure out how to get in the right mood. Otherwise, focusing on his game will be extremely difficult.

“He’s got to get better,” Anthony said on NBC’s NBA coverage of Peacock, via ClutchPoint . “You’re being tested again to see if you’re going to fold or stand the test of time. The coaches are testing you, the organization is testing you. The city, the fans are testing you. To me, how are you going to come back?”

“How are you going to move on from this, how are you going to admit, man, look in the mirror, take ownership of your work and still go out there and do what you have to do? … Put on your big pants, let’s go play basketball.”

Where did the Grizzlies and Ja Morant go from here?

Anthony’s sentiment is certainly worth considering. Morant’s polarizing nature makes him difficult to pick, and he’s not guaranteed to land on a team better positioned to compete than the Grizzlies. A combative approach to the media will only make matters worse. He could use a trusted mentor to guide him this joyless phase his NBA career.

If Anthony isn’t close enough to Morant to fill that key role, then perhaps a veteran teammate like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could provide some meaningful advice. He dealt with his own off-field issues before becoming a key component of two championship teams. Ultimately, however, the onus will fall on Ja Morant himself to overcome his frustrations and perform effectively for the Grizzlies and their fans.

The former No. 2 overall draft pick and head coach Tuomas Iisalo have reportedly moved on from the incident they reported. Fans will remain skeptical until they see a fully engaging and emotionally meaningful franchise cornerstone. Memphis (3-5) will try to end a three-game losing streak against the Houston Rockets (4-2) on Wednesday.