Shannon Sharpe is one of the LA Lakers’ most popular and passionate supporters. He is also a huge fan and follower of LeBron James and has defended the superstar in many of his debates against Skip Bayless.
In tonight’s game between the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena, the former NFL superstar grabbed the limelight. He and Tee Morant, Ja Morant’s father, had to be separated at halftime.
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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.
In an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Shannon Sharpe had this to say:
“They didn’t want this smoke, Dave. They do all the talking and jockeying and I ain’t about that jockeying. It started with Dillon Brooks. I said he was too small to guard LeBron [James]. He said, ‘F..k’ me. I said, ‘F..k you,’ back. He started to come at me and I said, ‘You don’t want these problems.’
“And then Ja [Morant] came out of nowhere talking. He definitely didn’t want these problems. Then the dad came and he obviously didn’t want no problems. But I wanted anything they had. Don’t let these fools fool you now.”
During the commotion, Memphis Grizzlies players Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams also wanted to confront the former Denver Broncos tight end. Adams visibly stepped in front of the superstar point guard and looked like he was ready to put his hands on Sharpe.
Adams had to be held back by officials who quickly acted on the problem before things got out of hand. Shannon Sharpe, though, seemed oblivious to Adams as his attention was squarely on Tee Morant.
Ja Morant’s dad, however, made amends with Shannon Sharpe later, saying he has “nothing but love for him”.
Shannon Sharpe watched the LA Lakers steal the game from the Memphis Grizzlies
With 5:14 left in the third quarter, the visiting Memphis Grizzlies have a 75-67 lead versus the LA Lakers. There’s still plenty of time left on the clock, but the injury-riddled Lakers are already at a disadvantage.
LeBron James has a team-leading 13 points, while Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder are helping keep the Hollywood squad in the game.
However, they haven’t had an answer for Ja Morant, who has a game-high 18 points. Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane have also been on point for the Grizzlies.
The biggest difference so far in this game has been the rebounding edge of the Grizzlies. They have a 45-29 advantage, including 17 to 5 in offensive rebounds. Shannon Sharpe will likely moan about this disparity when he takes on Skip Bayless on “Undisputed.”
LeBron James, though, is still having the biggest impact for the LA Lakers despite just shooting 6-16 from the field, including 1-4 from behind the arc. As long as James plays, Shannon Sharpe will hold out hope that the Lakers can still rally for the win.