Chicago Cubs star Marcus Stroman took issue with Nike’s statement on Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant in the wake of the basketball player’s gun controversy.
Nike released a statement in support of Morant, who is away from the Grizzlies with no timetable to return to the organization. Nike announced in February they would release Morant’s first signature shoe in April.
“We appreciate Ja’s accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support his prioritization of his well-being,” the company said, via The Athletic.
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Marcus Stroman of the Cubs pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on Sept. 16, 2022, in Chicago. (Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
However, Stroman took issue with Nike’s comment and wondered what the difference was with the Kyrie Irving situation.
The Dallas Mavericks star and former Brooklyn Nets guard tweeted a link to an Amazon movie that included antisemitic disinformation. The tweet created a firestorm in the NBA world and the Nets suspended Irving until he apologized for the tweet. Nike parted ways with Irving over it.
“Kyrie posted a link with zero comments and they ended his contract. I always knew Nike was trash. Thankful to be free from any of these companies!” Stroman tweeted Sunday.
Morant appeared to brandish a gun at a nightclub early Saturday morning. The Grizzlies said he would be away from the team for at least two games but coach Taylor Jenkins said before Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers that Morant doesn’t have a timetable to return.
Marcus Stroman of the Cubs pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on Oct. 2, 2022, in Chicago. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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Jenkins said Morant has made “difficult decisions and poor choices” that he has to be accountable for.
“He’s definitely embracing the mistakes that he’s made but only time will tell. We’re going to support him and we’re going to hold him accountable to make those changes,” Jenkins said, declining to lay out the exact steps Morant needed to accomplish to return to the Grizzlies.
Ja Morant of the Grizzlies warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on Feb. 7, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
“We love him, we want what’s best for him, we support him. It’s going to be a difficult process but we’ve got a great group to get through this.”
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Jenkins added that it was “an ongoing healing process.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
