Unpopular Opinion: Guns are Legal

[bdonovan]

Incident 1: Morant flashed a gun during Instagram Live.

Incident 2: Earlier he showed a gun in a stripclub and got an 8 game suspension (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/15/ja-morant-suspended-memphis-grizzlies-nightclub-gun-incident-nba). Worth noting "Colorado authorities did not find sufficient evidence to charge Morant with a crime."

It was still irresponsible as the gun was not his. Not familiar enough with gun laws in Colorado to say anymore.

Incident 3: He was also accused of pointing a gun at a teenager but there is no evidence of this; and no criminal charges have been filed against Morant.

Incident 1 just happened and the league is reviewing if Morant should be suspended at the start of next year.

Incident 1 does not seem to be criminal in the slightest.

The NBA argument is likely one of optics, "think of the children" etc. but I wonder if this is written into the contract. Or if Adam Silver is just foisting his own politics onto the sport and pressuring teams on this subject.


From The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/16/ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-gun-video-suspension-nba-basketball)

But as Tennessee is an open-carry state, Morant did not do anything illegal according to state law. And many have pointed out, correctly, the hypocrisy of the rightwing media bashing Morant while failing to condemn white Republicans displaying their firearms in public (sometimes with children in tow). Clearly, the idea of a Black man owning or brandishing a gun, no matter the setting or state, is a scary idea to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.


Whether one thinks what Morant did was "stupid" or not, or whether kids will go looking for a gun because Morant did, the real question to me is enforceability. It's either a legal stipulation for NBA players or it's not.

https://i.ibb.co/WzRf85r/karl-malone-gun.jpg

[Im Still Ballin]

It's about the NBA's brand. They don't want its league associated with the hood.


Some of Stern’s decisions caused a backlash. In 2005, the NBA instituted a dress code for players on the bench but not in uniform; many African-American players felt unfairly targeted. (Though now, a consensus has emerged that Stern’s “business casual” mandate has spawned an NBA fashion revolution).


Implemented in October of 2005 by former commissioner David Stern, the NBA dress code was meant to distance the league from its then “thuggish” (and we all know what that really means) image in the mainstream. The rule made it mandatory for players to wear a jacket and tie before games, after games, during interviews, on the bench while injured, and in attendance at league charity events. Though some might assume that superstars today like Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook choose to dress sharp and take style risks within the dressier sector of menswear, the reality is that players can still be fined thousands of dollars for straying beyond the constraints mandated by the league.

While the rule drew criticism from certain players and fans at the time—condemning Stern and the league for once again blindly associating hip-hop style with crime and thugdom—it seems to have faded from the public consciousness in recent years and simply become another part of the game (and not nearly as offensive and wrong as Sterling's words).

[bdonovan]

It's about the NBA's brand. They don't want its league associated with the hood.

Yeah I think you're right.

I was trying to look for one of the white NBA players shooting a gun on the gun range or out in the country- I am guessing that would not be an issue. It's less the act than the image.

Still curious if it's a legal stipulation or not.

[bdonovan]

Could explain why this wasn't penalized

https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/basketball-news/george-hill-spending-the-lockdown-on-850-acre-ranch-with-wild-animals.html

Guns are involved but no signs of "thug life".

And no offense to George Hill, but no kids are trying to be like him either.

[ImKobe]

It would be fine if he showcased his guns in a shooting range or w.e but he's portraying a gangster lifestyle - an image the NBA absolutely does not want attached to their brand ever again. Personally I don't think it's that big of a deal but I also think that Ja is a ****ing idiot for even wanting to be one of those guys when he has generational wealth and 0 ties to the hood.


It's about the NBA's brand. They don't want its league associated with the hood.

Exactly.

[Im Still Ballin]

David Stern rightfully disassociated with NBA from that hip-hop, AND1, hood element. It was hurting the league's brand and that, combined with the ugly state of the game, led to declining viewership. It all came to a head with the Malice at the Palace. And it wasn't a cord-cutting thing, either - the NFL was steadily setting ratings records.

What's more important to the players? Being able to wear what they want? Or making more money?

[Real Men Wear Green]

I would be shocked if the legalese didn't give the league the right to punish players for creating bad press. If they can punish Irving for posting a link to a movie on Amazon they can get after Morant.

[post]

they call it conduct detrimental to the league

which i guess means whatever they want it to mean

anyway

i don't like dress codes or guns

i've been following the nba for more than 30 years

i'm not going to stop because morant showed a gun on instagram

i guess that's what they fear

don't worry nba

post is still here

[warriorfan]

Incident 1: Morant flashed a gun during Instagram Live.

Incident 2: Earlier he showed a gun in a stripclub and got an 8 game suspension (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/15/ja-morant-suspended-memphis-grizzlies-nightclub-gun-incident-nba). Worth noting "Colorado authorities did not find sufficient evidence to charge Morant with a crime."

It was still irresponsible as the gun was not his. Not familiar enough with gun laws in Colorado to say anymore.

Incident 3: He was also accused of pointing a gun at a teenager but there is no evidence of this; and no criminal charges have been filed against Morant.

Incident 1 just happened and the league is reviewing if Morant should be suspended at the start of next year.

Incident 1 does not seem to be criminal in the slightest.

The NBA argument is likely one of optics, "think of the children" etc. but I wonder if this is written into the contract. Or if Adam Silver is just foisting his own politics onto the sport and pressuring teams on this subject.


From The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/16/ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-gun-video-suspension-nba-basketball)



Whether one thinks what Morant did was "stupid" or not, or whether kids will go looking for a gun because Morant did, the real question to me is enforceability. It's either a legal stipulation for NBA players or it's not.

https://i.ibb.co/WzRf85r/karl-malone-gun.jpg

In most states you can’t bring a gun legally into a bar or nightclub. In Tennessee you can actually bring a gun inside the establishment but you are not allowed to be drinking. We never see Ja actually drinking but I think it’s a pretty safe bet he was. Innocence until proven guilty of course but just because there isn’t enough evidence to prosecute doesn’t mean that a crime wasn’t committed.

[Jasper]

David Stern rightfully disassociated with NBA from that hip-hop, AND1, hood element. It was hurting the league's brand and that, combined with the ugly state of the game, led to declining viewership. It all came to a head with the Malice at the Palace. And it wasn't a cord-cutting thing, either - the NFL was steadily setting ratings records.

What's more important to the players? Being able to wear what they want? Or making more money?

exactly...
Back in early 70's I was watching a playground league game , guy was getting out played as well as muscled ...
did not like it , and walked to the side line bitchin' and pulled out a gun. that playground game was long over with and the grounds cleared out...
Back then it was like 'what?'

[Jasper]

I have hunted for close to 55 years.
As a kid a gun was statical to 'my' thinking about going on the hunt.

Early teens introduced to hunting dogs , and by the time I was 18 I had my first setter.

The hunt is everything... as primitive as it is ... it is magical and peaceful.

I have about 5 guns , and they are only tools like the two dogs I hunt with.

[Ainosterhaspie]

They should just make him do some PSAs about proper safe gun handling practices.