Jalen Rose Delivers Candid Response To Ja Morant: "I’ve Been That Young Player"

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 23: Jalen Rose before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum on March 23, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Jalen Rose spoke about his own growth in response to Ja Morant's suspension.

Jalen Rose reacted to Ja Morant's recent Instagram Live post, in which he brandished a gun, on ABC’s pregame show on Saturday night before the Milwaukee Bucks took on the Philadelphia 76ers. Rose compared himself to the young Memphis Grizzlies star, explaining that he has experience with guns as well. The former NBA star said that he believes Morant will figure it out.

“I am Ja Morant,” Rose said after hearing from Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon. “You guys got a chance to see me grow up for public consumption since 1991. I’ve been involved in drug raids, I’ve survived assassination attempts. I’ve been that undisciplined young person that was trying to figure out how to be famous, how to be successful, how to change the dynamics of my family.”

Jalen Rose On The Pacers

19 Jun 2000: Jalen Rose #5 of the Indiana Pacers with the ball as Glen Rice #41 of the Los Angeles Lakers gaurds him during the NBA Finals Game 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

“He has way too much to lose,” Rose said. “Trust me, I’ve been that young player carrying a gun, and Wilbon alluded to this: When you start waving it, that can get you killed. That’s an entirely different thing than we’re talking about a superstar athlete should be putting themself in position. And as Stephen A mentioned, that’s him on the video, on his IG Live. Ain’t nobody coaxing him, ain’t nobody egging him on to do that, that’s a personal choice.”

Rose went on to call fame a drug and praised Morant for owning up to his mistakes. Morant released a statement on Saturday apologizing for the live stream. The Grizzlies have since suspended him for a stretch of two games. “He’s a 23-year-old young man, nobody got arrested, nobody got injured, and I’m hearing too many stories about pistols, ok?” Rose continued. “Allegedly with the 17-year-old kid, allegedly with the Indiana Pacers staff, last night on IG Live, I saw the video like you guys did brandishing the gun. The next step to that is now recovery, and I believe he’s on that path, I’m happy that he’s on that path. He’s gonna return, and he’s gonna be a better person, and because of all of this taking place, he’s gonna be able to live his full potential.”

Jalen Rose On Ja Morant

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About The Author
Cole Blake
Cole Blake is a current staff writer at HotNewHipHop based out of New York City. He began writing for the site as an intern back in 2018 while finishing his B.A. in Journalism at St. John’s University. In the time since, he’s covered a number of breaking stories for HNHH. These include the ongoing YSL RICO trial, the allegations surrounding Diddy, and much more. His work also extends outside of hip-hop, having written extensively about a myriad of topics including politics, sports, and pop culture. He’s attended several music festivals to provide coverage for the site as well, such as Rolling Loud and Governors Ball.
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