Ja, Me, and Draymond Green

By: Amy Marcle

If you had told me a few years ago that I would become insanely invested in the NBA and all the drama that comes with injuries, trades, and standings, I would have laughed in your face. But, here I am…knee deep in. Our daughter’s boyfriend got us hooked on watching our local team, the Memphis Grizzlies. It did not take a whole lot of convincing on his part. The Grizzlies are located just a little over an hour down the road from us and we already enjoyed watching the University of Memphis Tigers at the college level. I quickly realized there was a reason I could not watch the NBA; I get way too involved. I went from not knowing anything about the players to knowing all of the Grizz players and even most of the players on the competitors’ teams. This year, our family even joined a fantasy league.

One thing I have learned from my newly found interest is that the players in the NBA, while filthy rich and sometimes arrogant, are similar to everyone else as they too find themselves battling various issues. If you follow basketball at all, you are probably aware of the baggage that has followed the Grizzlies point guard, Ja Morant. If you are unaware, let me catch you up. Last season, Morant was suspended for a number of games for having a firearm on NBA property during a road trip. He also found the need to post his shenanigans on his Instagram live feed for everyone to see. I assume that he, like most of us, did not learn his lesson. He later went live on his Instagram again displaying what appeared to be a firearm. After the second time, the NBA suspended him for 25 games beginning this season. Let’s take a look at the similarities between this basketball star and our own addictions and problems.

When Ja Morant was suspended, he not only jeopardized his own career, but he also put his teammates in a particularly dreadful situation. They relied on him to be the star he had always proven to be, and with his punishment came punishment for the team also. While they had no control over Morant’s actions, they were forced to face the consequences of his bad decisions. When we battle addiction, we become guilty of being selfish as well. We are not only putting our lives in danger, but we also put others’ lives and emotions at risk as well. Addiction is a family and friend disease. The addict is not the only one who gets to feel the side effects of addiction. The addict is not the only one who suffers. Everyone suffers. As addicts, we do not see that we hurt ourselves, let alone others.

Also, like Ja Morant, we sometimes suffer silently. I am sure whatever was bothering him at the time of his actions was not easy to discuss. After all, he is an NBA star, a millionaire, and a hero to many who look up to him. The media was quick to judge him by his actions rather than attempting to learn the cause behind his behavior. As a former dieting addict, I understand the position he found himself in. People are quick to label others rather than seeking to understand them. I cannot count the number of times I was asked about being on drugs as my weight plummeted. When in reality, I never touched an illegal drug. I simply wanted to be thin, to be accepted.

No matter what celebrity we may be discussing, it is important to remember that they are people too. They are someone’s child, someone’s parent, someone’s friend. Just like addicts, we all belong to someone. Addicts do not stop needling love and support just because the find themselves in unfortunate situations. They need love and support more than ever. Rather than casting judgement, we all need to practice offering support…to everyone.

The most recent NBA controversy involves a player that I personally cannot tolerate very well. As a Grizzlies fan, anyone on the Golden State Warriors team ends up on my “do not like” list. Draymond Green finds himself at the top of that list. Green has found himself at the center of controversy many times for his violent playing methods and hot temper on the court and even during team practices. Punching his own teammate, choking an opponent, stepping on opponents, and recently knocking one in the face during a game landed him an indefinite suspension by the NBA officials. Indefinite. Meaning he had no idea when, of if, his punishment would end. While I agree that he definitely needed disciplined for his actions, I disagree with an indefinite suspension for him or anyone else. I feel in order to overcome his issues, he needed a definite punishment and a goal to work towards.

Thankfully, in the real world, forgiveness is more a matter of fact. Someone either forgives us or they do not. And, you pretty much know how you stand. Even better, when we ask God for forgiveness, He forgives us immediately. There is no waiting period. No probation. No suspension. God does not say, “Well, let me think about it and we will review your case in 30 days.” No, as promised in I John 1:9 “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

As a Christian, I feel like this is where we fail people. I feel we sometimes harbor the idea that forgiveness is only for those who wear a suit on Sunday and mess up occasionally. However, we must remember Jesus died for all. He died for the rick, the poor, the businessman, and the addicted man. And His forgiveness is immediate if we just humbly ask.

You may think that it is a far stretch to compare the suspensions of these NBA players to those battling mental illness and addiction, but is it? These NBA stars and their antics very well may be a cry for help. Addicts know all too well what a cry for help looks like. Rather than simply asking, we use antics to draw negative attention to ourselves hoping, just hoping, someone will notice and lend a hand. We hope that someone will hear our silent cries and pleas, and offer some type of lifeline.

To further add to the comparison, when Ja Morant returned to the NBA this season, his every move was scrutinized. Ever. Single. Move. If you are an addict, you understand the feeling of having your every move watched as you attempt to recover. As a former dieting addict, I felt that every bite I took was analyzed. I felt that people watched me to see if I would run to the bathroom and throw up after my meals. I felt people were just sitting back waiting for me to mess up. While Morant’s season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, he still faced a great deal of scrutiny. During one game, he celebrated a play with a dance that landed him in the media spotlight again. What did he do? He fired a gunshot gesture in the air after a basket he made. Most people did not think anything of it, but his critics , who were waiting for him to do anything the least bit different, noticed. However, when a college football star made the same type of gesture during a playoff game, crickets. Two different people. Two backgrounds. Two responses. Same “crime.”

On January 2, Morant again dazzled the sporting world by pulling off a posterizing dunk by gliding by giant Victor Wembanyama. After the game, the media asked Morant what was going through his mind after the dunk. He responded, “that was what everyone wanted…what they expected. So, I gave them what they expected. Merry Christmas from me.”

As a recovering addict, I understand the desire to give the people what they want. Sadly, though, some people want to see us fail. Not everyone rejoices when a sinner comes back home again. Those of us going through recovery need to understand the hard truth that not everyone is our friend. We have to recover for ourselves, not to prove anything to anyone. We owe the crowd nothing but our best, and our best comes when we take care of our minds and our health.

Everyone needs a supportive friend, if you cannot find on…be one.