Ja Morant has recently explained why he is less active on social media. He cited his growing frustration with the online world. Morant said the following.
“Yeah, I hate it there. The only reason I’m on it still is because I have endorsements and stuff I got to post. I don’t really want to be there. Hopefully y’all enjoy it now because when I hang it up, y’all won’t see me no more.”
It’s unfortunate that a player like Morant, one of the young stars of the NBA, has developed such a strong distaste for social media. His frustration has grown to the point where he only uses it when absolutely necessary. Let’s explore Morant’s long history with social media and the impact social media has on top athletes.
Ja Morant and the Dark Side of Social Media
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media
Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. When athletes perform well, the praise they receive online can be uplifting, and platforms provide opportunities to generate additional income through endorsement deals. Social media also gives everyone a voice, but that same accessibility can lead to relentless criticism when performances fall short. Additionally, it enables individuals to post hateful and harmful comments simply because they have the ability to do so from their smartphones. There are both positives and negatives to social media, but in Morant’s case, it appears the negatives have begun to outweigh the positives.
The Weight of Public Scrutiny
Morant sounds like someone who has had enough of today’s social media landscape, and his frustration goes beyond general negativity. The young star has faced troubling off-court incidents, leading to multiple disciplinary actions from the NBA. As a result, his character and actions have been placed under the microscope of public opinion, which social media only amplifies.
In March 2023, Morant was suspended for eight games after brandishing a firearm on Instagram Live at a Denver-area strip club. Just two weeks after that season ended, he appeared on Instagram Live again. This time, he held up a firearm while singing along to a rap song with a friend. This second incident prompted NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to issue a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2023-24 season. The criticism on social media only grew. Both fans and mainstream media outlets heavily scrutinized Morant’s actions.
The Fallout from Morant’s Confidence
Another notable moment that made Morant a target on social media was his infamous “We’re fine in the West” interview with ESPN in December 2022. When asked which teams could challenge the Grizzlies, he dismissed concerns about any team in the Western Conference. Those comments followed him throughout the season and exploded after the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Social media had a field day, creating memes and heavily criticizing his perceived arrogance. The relentless ridicule can become demoralizing and suffocating for any athlete, no matter how mentally strong they are.
Can Ja Morant Regain His Elite Form?
It is crucial for Ja Morant to return to the mental state he was in earlier in his career. During that time, he was dominating the game from the guard position. His performance made him look like one of the NBA’s top point guards. His play has not been at that level this season, which is understandable given the time he has missed due to injury last season. However, the Memphis Grizzlies can only contend with the Oklahoma City Thunder if Morant returns to his dominant form from 2021-23. During that stretch, he could single-handedly take over games in the fourth quarter. A recent win over the Phoenix Suns showed that Ja might be on track to return to his elite form, in this game he notched 29 points and hit two clutch shots to force overtime.
Morant’s struggles with social media reflect a larger issue many athletes are faced with today. While it can be a tool for success, it can also become a burden. For Ja Morant, limiting his online presence might be a necessary step in returning to his best self—both on and off the court.
Photo credit: © Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
