LaVar Ball used to be the NBA's loudest sports dad. Tee Morant is coming for the crown.
Ja Morant speaking about the third quarter confrontation with Andrew Nembhard. He said Nembhard told his father, Tee, to “shut up,” and that’s when Morant walked up to him.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 30, 2023
“I checked his temperature. He didn’t have a fever.”
It's the second time in ten days that Morant was part of a confrontation during a game.
On Jan. 20, Tee Morant got involved when Shannon Sharpe argued with Dillon Brooks and looked ready to fight the whole Memphis Grizzlies team. Well, apart from Steven Adams.
Tempers flare in the front row here at the Crypt — where Shannon Sharpe, Steven Adams and Papa Tee Morant exchange words and have to be kept apart before heading off in opposite directions. pic.twitter.com/EtMiSDY3sv
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) January 21, 2023
Morant has become a courtside celebrity, both from his jawing with players and his uncanny resemblance to Usher.
He told Marc J. Spears he considers himself his son's "first line of defense."
Nembhard and Ja Morant are getting into it. Pacers coaches are complaining about Tee Morant and Ja's friend DTap talking to their players from their courtside seats.
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 30, 2023
But he's also pretty rough on his own son, telling a reporter that Ja played "like trash" in the first round against Minnesota last year.
When Ja says Tee Morant is his biggest hater, he’s not lying lol pic.twitter.com/7W9wstg0H5
— KJ (@kelwright) April 30, 2022
This time, it was apparently a friend named "DTap" who caused the most commotion, and was ejected — Tee got Nembhard's ire, possibly because Tee was the one he recognized.
Nembhard and Ja Morant are getting into it. Pacers coaches are complaining about Tee Morant and Ja's friend DTap talking to their players from their courtside seats.
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 30, 2023
Usually it's only youth sports that are plagued by parents yelling at opposing players or officials. Tee Morant is being supportive, but at a certain point, he has to realize he's not actually a member of the Grizzlies.
Plus, his son doesn't need his father to be the first line of defense. That man already exists, and his name is Steven Adams.
when sum pops off….you know who always gonna be there pic.twitter.com/cUikY8r3Bz
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) January 30, 2023
Keep supporting your son, Tee! But leave the heavy lifting to Adams.
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