"You know what Kyrie did? He shut up and he started playing" - Austin Rivers on how Ja Morant can still rebuild his image

Over the last few seasons, Ja Morant has gone from a fast-rising superstar to a free-falling one.

Once revered for his gravity-defying layups and thunderous slam dunks, Morant has made plenty of headlines for reasons unrelated to his phenomenal athleticism and basketball skills. From his lengthy suspension after he brandished a gun on social media to his ongoing drama with the Memphis Grizzlies' front office, Morant's off-court antics have been a major distraction for both himself and his team.

However, former NBA guard Austin Rivers believes that there is still hope for Morant. In a recent diatribe, he shared how Kyrie Irving bounced back from similar struggles by focusing on his game and tuning out the noise.

Kai was in hot water

For a minute, Irving was on top of the NBA world. Not long after his memorable game-winning 3-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, his reputation took hit after hit, especially after requesting a trade away from Cleveland to helm a team of his own.

The most significant dent in Irving's reputation occurred in October 2022, when he appeared to support a film based on a book containing anti-Semitic disinformation. A month later, the Brooklyn Nets meted out a five-game suspension for "failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so" and "conduct detrimental to the team."

However, Kyrie's trade to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023 was the shot in the arm his career needed.

The 2023-24 season saw him seamlessly work with Luka Doncic to form an unstoppable backcourt duo that would lead the team to the 2024 NBA Finals. He averaged 25.6 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists that season to help put to bed any doubts about his on-court abilities.

"Playing fixes everything. People start to forget when you're putting that ball in the basket. They don't care anymore," Rivers stated.

Related: "I am watching the greatest 3-man backcourt in NBA history" - Skip Bayless gives major props to the L.A. Lakers "Big 3"

Less talking, more playing

For Austin, the solution to Ja's problems is simple.

"What's left for you to do is play. Do more playing, less talking would be my advice to Ja Morant. It's very simple," he said.

Much like what happened when Irving focused on the main thing — hooping — Rivers believes the same could happen for Morant.

"You know what Kyrie did? He shut up and he started playing, and guess what? People were like, 'Damn, he's good,'" he quipped. "And then people were like, 'Well, he hasn't gotten in trouble in a while. He's not really…' So now he's just a good player again. And guess what? He's turned his whole thing around to where he's getting $100 million contracts again and he's a starting point guard for a very good team when healthy."

A two-time All-Star and a one-time member of the All-NBA Team, Morant has proven he has what it takes to rise to the top. Although he has fallen on tough times, with his reputation getting battered by the latest round of off-court issues, he still has the opportunity to turn things around and show the world his true potential — much like what Irving did.

Related: "You of all people, Ja, should know 'cause he sent you home" - Austin Rivers advises Ja Morant to know his place after trash-talking a bona fide legend

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.