Morant on food at NBA bubble: ‘I’m not a silver spoon guy’
Count Ja Morant as somebody satisfied with his food options down in Orlando.
While some NBA players who arrived this week shared posts about the poor quality of food at their hotels, the Grizzlies guard was more than comfortable with his choices.
“My room is fine, my food is fine. I’m not a silver spoon guy so I know how to live in the conditions,” Morant said Friday, “People complaining but I’m doing good.”
He also brought his own stash of snacks as if to say it doesn’t matter what they’ll be served as the NBA prepares to restart its season. He’ll be good keeping it simple.
“I’m a Ramen noodles guy so I’m used to this,” Morant said.
The Grizzlies held their first practice after arriving Wednesday and spending two days in quarantine while awaiting test results for COVID-19. Each member of the traveling party had to receive two negative tests before being cleared to practice.
Morant said he stayed occupied with his Playstation 4 and watching his DVDS of the 1990s sitcom “Martin”, one of his favorite shows. Justise Winslow also had no issues with the food either but was happier to see his teammates after staying inside.
“The living conditions have been pretty good,” Winslow said. “(It’s) similar to college. Nice little couch and bedroom in all the rooms. It hasn’t been too bad, the quarantine was pretty easy.”
Now comes adjusting to a new normal as they prepare for their first game on July 31. During practice, head coach Taylor Jenkins wore both a face shield and a mask in a photo the team posted on its Twitter account.
Jenkins praised the league and the NBPA keeping all of the NBA teams aware of what to expect as well as having no issues once they landed.
“As much education as we had on the front end, I think everything’s been going smoothly right now and I know there’s a lot of effort every single day to make sure that’s the No. 1 priority,” Jenkins said.
Just don’t expect Morant to complain about what he’s eating or not being able to leave ESPN’S Wide World of Sports complex. After landing, he posted an enlarged lock emoji on his Instagram story feed along the word “in”.
The message was clear. Locked in and refocused.
“I’m just here to handle business and put in the work,” Morant said. “I’m excited to get back on the floor with my teammates (and keep) pushing for a playoff push.”