Superstar point guard Ja Morant stepped behind a microphone for the first time since rejoining the Memphis Grizzlies following an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league. 

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Morant answered nearly 10 minutes of questions, discussing the decisions he made that eventually led to him stepping away from the team and receiving counseling at a program in Florida. 

Here is most of what Morant had to say:

Question: How have these last two weeks been for you?

Ja Morant: It has been good. There has been a lot of learning. I took that time to better myself and get in a better space mentally.

With the counseling you received, is there any ongoing or outpatient aspect to that?

Yeah, it’s an ongoing process and a continuing process for me. Obviously, I’ve been there for two weeks, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely better. It’s an ongoing process that I’ve continued since I’ve been out.

Whose decision was it for you to attend counseling?

Mine.

What was the counseling for?

To be a better me and learn how to be there for myself. I’m aligning myself with my personal life.

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What changes have you made in life?

I’m just being more responsible and being smarter. That’s pretty much it. Obviously, I made mistakes in the past that caused a lot of negative attention, not only to me but my family, my team and the organization. I’m completely sorry for that. My job now is to be more responsible, smarter and don’t cause any of that anymore.

You addressed the team yesterday. What was the message you wanted to send to them?

We are going to keep that in house.

How much has alcohol influenced your decisions?

I don’t have an alcohol problem, and I never had an alcohol problem. I didn’t go there for alcohol. I went there for counseling.

The NBA, in their statement, said that it determined you were intoxicated in Denver. Was that a conversation you had (with the league)?

I don’t have an alcohol problem, and I’ve never had an alcohol problem. I went there for counseling to learn how to manage stress in a positive way instead of the ways I have tried to deal with it before that caused me to make mistakes.

Do you still feel like you will be able to be the same person after all this that uses Instagram Live and Twitter?

I won’t be doing that at all. Me saying things, actions speak louder than words. That is my main focus now. Obviously, I’m super excited to be back with my teammates. That is the main thing right now.

Right now, it’s about keeping the main thing the main thing and going through this process of becoming a better me. I feel like if I do that, not only will it help me, but it will help everyone around me as well.

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What has been the hardest part of all this?

Being away. Obviously, I made a terrible decision. Plenty. I made many mistakes in the past. But being away from my team hurt me the most. I sent messages to them apologizing and stuff, but it is better to talk to them in person. Finally being able to be back and do that helps me out a lot and makes me a lot more comfortable.

Gun violence is an issue in Memphis. As a star point guard, what is the message that you want to give out?

I don’t condone any type of violence at all.

There have been incidents where you or the people around you have been accused of having a gun. Is there a gun issue with you or within your circle?

No. Not at all.

Do you feel like you can be the same Ja Morant with your platform?

I will always be Ja. I will not change for anybody. The only problem right now is getting into a space mentally where I’m very comfortable and I feel good. That’s why I made the decision to take the time away and go to counseling. That helped me learn a lot of things.

Did you sense before the incident that it was becoming a problem?

I felt like my stress levels has become a problem. I considered it, but I was back-and-forth and afraid to leave the team. But, I felt that it was needed, and it definitely helped me out a lot.

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Can you continue to go out and keep the main thing the main thing, as you said?

My focus is keeping the main thing the main thing. So, other than that, it’s not on my mind right now.

How much more work do you need to do physically as you move toward a return?

Not much. That’s why I’ve been taking the time since I got back seriously and getting into physical shape so I can go out there and help my teammates. I’ve been doing a lot of conditioning since I’ve been back.

It’s just about getting that feel back and getting back my rhythm.

What is it like accepting that you’ve had a role in putting yourself in bad situations, like the alleged incident that happened after the game with the Pacers?

I said I had a role, but I didn’t say I did anything wrong, still. All those cases are sealed, so I can’t speak on those cases.

When I have my time to, everyone will know the truth about every incident that I have been in.

Have you pondered the idea that you could have lost all of this?

I said that in my interview with (ESPN’s) Jalen Rose. You realize what is at stake.

I’ve said before that I realized that, and I’ll say it again to you for an answer.

At any point did you fear that you couldn’t come back?

That wasn’t on my mind at all. The only thing that was on my mind was about getting in a better space mentally for me. That’s the No. 1 thing, being as healthy as possible in all areas of life.

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What will it be like tomorrow when you get to play?

Honestly, I don’t know. That’s another thing that has been tough for me. Yesterday, going out with the team, early on, I felt uncomfortable. I kind of feel the same way right now. 

I will have my time to process everything and once I feel like I’m in rhythm with good conditioning, I will go back out there.

Will you play tomorrow?

It is still in the air.

What are you uncomfortable with?

A lot of things. A lot. A lot of people don’t know what is going on, and they are not in my shoes right now with everything that has been going on of late. 

Obviously, I still take responsibility for the decisions I made that hurt me to the core. It not only affected me, but it affected everybody around me, from my family, to the organization, to my teammates. It caused me not to be on the floor, which is one thing that I love to do the most, play basketball. 

It’s a lot. It’s an ongoing process, with everything I’ve been doing the last two weeks. I’m going to continue to do that and do everything I need to do to be healthy.

Will your parents continue to sit courtside?

My dad was there yesterday, sitting courtside. So there’s your answer right there. He will never leave me. None of them.

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Jenkins provides clarity

Although Morant wouldn’t commit to playing in the game on Wednesday night, March 22, against Houston, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins made it clear the plan is for Morant to play. 

“We anticipate him playing tomorrow,” Jenkins said. “Everything medically is checking out well. We had a light practice today and didn’t do a whole lot, but now it’s onto the reintegration process. He is excited to be back with the group, and the group is excited to have him back.”

Jenkins has stressed on several occasions that it is now the intention of the team to be as supportive as possible to Morant while also holding him accountable moving forward. 

The Grizzlies coach acknowledged the challenges Morant is now facing by discussing counseling in such a public eye. 

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“It’s the world that we live in where there are phones and microphones,” Jenkins said. “Everyone is watching you, and it puts a microscope on you. But I think it’s an opportunity to be tested and grow for it. 

“He stepped up here and addressed a lot of the stuff that is going to be ongoing. He’s going to have to do that with his teammates and this organization every single day. But we have faith that we are going to support him through it and he is going to make the necessary changes.

“It has to be difficult. I can’t put myself in his shoes or anyone going through adversity like that.”

Teammate Dillon Brooks said Monday night Morant offered to come off the bench because the team is grooving at the moment. 

Brooks did not believe that would be a good idea. 

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“I said, ‘Hell no! You’re too good of a player, and you are the engine of this team. We need you out there getting reps and getting back acclimated to who you are as that third-quarter and fourth-quarter closer who is yelling and screaming at everybody and dunking on everybody, making amazing plays and getting guys the ball,’” Brooks said. 

But Jenkins said he is not ruling out that Morant could come off the bench for Memphis. He has not yet made up his mind, and is in ongoing discussions with the star. 

“It’s a possibility,” Jenkins said. “I have talked with Ja and the medical team. There are a lot of factors. I have tons of respect for Ja to acknowledge how the team is playing. 

“I will talk with the medical and figure out the recommended minutes and if he is starting or coming off the bench. I think there is a chance he might come off the bench for a couple of games before we get him back in the starting lineup.

I’m not fully committed to one way or the other, but he and I are fully engaged in that, and he is fully aware and supportive of whichever direction we go.”