The statement is a start.

No, it’s not proof that Ja Morant is going to transform his life.

It’s just a statement. Just words that Morant likely didn’t write.

Ja Morant apologizes for gun video amid NBA inquiry

But it’s a beginning. It’s the first evidence that Morant may understand he’s responsible for the beating his reputation has taken these last few months.

“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” the statement said. “I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I’m going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.”

To which everyone who cares about Morant, the Grizzlies or the city of Memphis should say: Good.

It is easy to be skeptical about the statement, of course. What matters is what comes next.

But the statement is the first sign Morant might — just might — appreciate that he needs to make some changes in his life.

Calkins: It’s time to put down the gun, Ja. And to put down the act.

Remember Morant’s reaction to the story in The Athletic about the altercation between the Indiana Pacers and Morant’s friends?

He was not exactly contrite.

“Did a investigation seen they were capping,” Morant tweeted. “Still let a article come out to paint this negative image on me and my family, and banned my brother from home games for a year. Unbelievable.”

There was no recognition that the entire incident could have been avoided if Morant’s friends hadn’t gotten into it with the Pacers after the game.

No, Morant acted as if he had been aggrieved.

This approach was echoed by Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins in the wake of a Washington Post story about Morant and his friends allegedly intimidating a security guard at Wolfchase Mall.

Ja Morant involved in mall altercation last summer

“It’s definitely frustrating when things from the past that have been addressed are brought back in the public eye,” Jenkins said. “We just put our arms around him, support him and keep him focused on what he has to do, one day at a time.”

Less than 48 hours after that quote, Morant was shown flashing a gun at a club on Instagram Live. Now that must have been frustrating.

The Grizzlies are in a difficult spot, of course. Morant is the best player in the history of the franchise. Push him too hard, and Morant could demand to be traded. That’s the way the league works.

So the Grizzlies have opted for hugging instead of line-drawing. They have tried their best to protect Morant. At least that was their approach until Saturday’s video, when they finally had no choice but to suspend their star.

What happens next is impossible to predict. Maybe Morant will continue his reckless behavior. Maybe he will jeopardize his Nike contract. 

Grizzlies announce Ja Morant will be ‘away from team’ for at least two games

Or maybe — just maybe — Saturday’s incident will cause Morant to honestly reevaluate his role in all of this.

That is possible, right?

Morant is just 23. Did you do dumb things at 23? Did your kids do dumb things at 23?

“When I was young and irresponsible, I was young and irresponsible,” is how former president George W. Bush once put it.

Morant is young, irresponsible — and rich beyond imagining.

He has a contract worth $193 million. He has his own signature shoe. Kevin Durant recently called Morant “the face of our league going forward.” 

Grizzlies announce Ja Morant will be ‘away from team’ for at least two games

Is it all that surprising that Morant might have lost some perspective along the way?

But now he has arrived at a turning point. Or what feels like is one, at the very least. What will Morant do with his “time away” from the Grizzlies? What changes will he actually make?

Does Morant really understand everything that is at stake? Do his friends and family understand, too?

“Is the reference in Morant’s statement to developing ‘better methods of dealing with stress’ just a flimsy justification for partying and flashing a gun on Instagram Live? Or is it agent-speak for real change?”

Is the reference in Morant’s statement to developing “better methods of dealing with stress” just a flimsy justification for partying and flashing a gun on Instagram Live? Or is it agent-speak for meaningful change?

The recent string of incidents don’t have to shape Morant’s reputation forever. There are dozens of wildly successful athletes who have done as bad or worse. See Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant, just to name two.

But change is hard, for anyone. Because it requires humility. If Morant is going to change, he first has to recognize that he has to change. That he is the one who screwed up.

Humility doesn’t come easily for those of us with a fraction of Morant’s fame, accomplishments or riches. It will be that much harder for him.

So I welcome Morant’s apology. I welcome the hope it represents. The man says he accepts full responsibility for his actions. And that is where change begins.