Marc Stein reports that Grizzlies star Morant could be banned for 50 games like Arenas.
Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, players who carry firearms on team grounds, including team jets, are automatically banned for 50 games. The NBA is investigating the matter, and Morant will be punished with a 50-game ban if it is confirmed. Shams reports that Morant has left for help, and it's conceivable that he must regret it now. Unfortunately, there is no regret pill in the world, and Morant needs to be responsible for his pride and arrogance.
The Grizzlies were in great shape this season, finishing second in the West and having the experience of last season's Western Conference semifinals, they could have done a lot this season.
If Morant is banned for 50 games, the Grizzlies will arguably miss the championship this season. A 50-game ban means you won't be able to play this season. Morant has an irreplaceable role in the Grizzlies. Morant has played in 52 games for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 26.9 points, 6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range. Whenever the team couldn't open the situation, Morant would step up and lead the team forward with difficult scoring.
Once people are unlucky, they drink cold water and stuff their teeth. The Grizzlies are unlucky, but Morant could be banned for 50 games. Clark, the team's main player, suffered a torn Achilles tendon and was reimbursed for the season. Clark averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game this season while shooting 65.4% from the field, making him the Grizzlies' main rotation. Morant could be suspended for 50 games, Clark was reimbursed for the season, and the Grizzlies lost two big players in an instant.
With a relatively large lead, the Grizzlies don't have to worry about not making the playoffs. But without Morant and Clark, the Grizzlies struggled to make the playoffs. If Clark's injury was bad luck, Morant was self-inflicted. Another championship team crashed, which is a profit for other championship contenders in the West, such as the Lakers.
A few rejoices and a few sorrows, and if there is a team worry, there will be a team happy. Shams reports that James has begun his journey to recovery. Shams reported that the Lakers will reassess James' injury in three weeks, but James will most likely not be missing just three weeks. One thing is certain, though, that James will return before the playoffs and will most likely return to play the playoffs.
With the ranking situation in the West, it is difficult for the Lakers to enter the top six in the West. There's a good chance the Lakers will need to make the playoffs a playoff ticket. With the Lakers' lineup, playing playoffs as long as they don't run into the Warriors and Clippers are dimensionality reduction blows. The lineup after the Lakers trade is not inferior to the Suns, and it is the configuration of the championship team.
And for playing the playoffs, the Lakers are experienced. In the 20-21 season, the Lakers ranked seventh in the West, and eliminated the Warriors in the playoffs to get a playoff ticket. James is not expected to return until the play-offs, making it clear that he is recuperating and preparing for the play-offs. This is not good news for the other teams in the play-offs. As soon as you make the playoffs, it's a new beginning. James is back to compete for the championship, the Lakers with a full lineup, and no one wants to touch them.