“This Ain’t the Time or Place”: Charles Barkley Calls Out Ja Morant for Gun-Style Celebrations, Says NBA Must Step In
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has never been one to hold his tongue—and this time, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is in his crosshairs. In a fiery segment during a recent NBA broadcast, Barkley openly criticized Morant’s continued use of gun-themed celebrations on the court, calling them “tone-deaf” and “unacceptable” given the guard’s past off-court incidents involving firearms.
“I love the kid, I really do,” Barkley began. “He’s got talent, he’s got charisma—but basketball is more than a sport. It’s a platform. And when you’ve already had gun-related issues, you can’t keep throwing up gun gestures like it’s a joke. That ain’t cool.”
A Celebration That Crossed a Line
Morant, who has previously faced multiple suspensions for incidents involving guns—including one highly publicized live video showing him flashing a firearm—has come under scrutiny once again. While no new incidents have taken place off the court, it’s his on-court celebrations, mimicking shooting gestures or “pistol fingers,” that have reignited criticism.
Barkley says the NBA star’s behavior sets the wrong tone:
“This isn’t about celebration—it’s about awareness. You represent more than yourself when you step on that court. This league has kids watching, families watching. With the things going on in our country—violence, real loss—you don’t get to make light of that.”
“A Whole New World”
Barkley didn’t stop there. He emphasized the evolving responsibility of athletes in the public eye:
“Basketball ain’t just about highlight reels and endorsements anymore. It’s a whole new world out there. Athletes are leaders—whether they want to be or not. And with leadership comes accountability.”
He pointed to Morant’s past disciplinary issues as evidence that there should be zero tolerance moving forward:
“You’ve already been warned. You’ve already been suspended. The league gave you a second chance. But if you’re still out here mocking that lifestyle with those gestures? I’m sorry, that’s just not okay.”
Barkley Demands Action from the NBA
Charles Barkley didn’t just voice disapproval—he called on the NBA to take action:
“The league should step in immediately. You can’t fine him after the season. You can’t hope it goes away. You send a message that this ain’t what we’re about. If Ja wants to be the face of the league someday, he’s got to start acting like it.”
A Warning, Not a Cancellation
Barkley was quick to clarify that he isn’t trying to “cancel” Morant, but to wake him up:
“This ain’t hate. This is love. I want Ja Morant to be great. But greatness demands maturity. And right now, the kid needs to grow up—fast.”
What Comes Next?
As of now, the NBA has not issued a public response to the recent celebrations. But with a voice as powerful as Barkley’s sounding the alarm, and national conversation reigniting around Ja Morant’s behavior, the pressure is mounting.
For Morant, it may be yet another crossroads—between the electrifying star the world admires, and the personal choices that could define, or derail, his legacy.
