Ja Rule is sharing his thoughts on Ja Morant, who earlier this week was suspended by the NBA for eight games without pay after the Memphis Grizzlies guard flashed a gun in a video posted on social media.
While chatting with TMZ on Friday, Ja Rule claimed Morant’s recent poor decision-making could be due to the fact that he’s been influenced by hip-hop culture, particularly Memphis’ rap scene.
“Hip-hop is very influence,” Ja Rule shared. “I’ve done things in my youth because of hip-hop.”
He added, “The thing with Ja...I just hope he has better people around him. [To] let him know that that ain’t the way. Go play ball, man. The streets ain’t about nothing, man. Go grind on ‘em. Keep balling. That’s it, man.”
Ja Rule Speaks On Hip Hop's Affecting Ja Morant's Decisions 'that Ain't The Way' & Should Stick To Hoopin💯⛹🏾♂️
Earlier this week, Morant sat down with ESPN’s Jalen Rose to discuss the situation.
“It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence, but I take full responsibility for my actions,” Morant told Rose. “I made a bad mistake. I can see that the image I painted of myself with my recent mistakes, but in the future, I’ma show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about, and change this narrative.”
A few days before Ja’s interview with Rose aired, the NBA announced that Morant would be suspended for eight games without pay.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, obtained by the Associated Press. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.”
