After off-court issues overshadowed all positive on-court talent from Ja Morant , many have begun to believe that his latest fiasco only proves that the two-time All-Star is an incapable and undisciplined cornerstone to lead the Memphis Grizzlies in a positive direction. Enduring a one-game suspension after clearly being dissatisfied with first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo and his coaching staff, everybody seems hellbent on criticizing the flashy point guard. However, Robert Horry doesn't fall in this category.
In fact, the seven-time NBA champion blames coach Iisalo for publicly calling out the team's superstar, which clearly has no repercussions other than ending Morant's will to lead and ultimately hampering the team's camaraderie.
The Grizzlies have commenced the 2025-26 season on a subpar note, losing five of their first eight games. This slow start has already raised questions about Iisalo's coaching technique, rotations and play-calling. And when Ja decided to communicate his honest opinion, things didn't sit well, as he was called out by Tuomas for his lack of leadership and effort in front of the entire team.
On his podcast, Horry addressed this issue directly, stating that new or inexperienced coaches must be cautious when dealing with a franchise star. Publicly calling out players might seem like an attempt to bring accountability into the locker room, but in reality, it only disrupts the trust between a player and a coach.
Moreover, Big Shot Bob also made it clear that if any coach in NAB history can unapologetically call out players, it's Gregg Popovich, whose respect is enough that no player would dare to question his comments or actions. As a result, no other coach should dare to enter this trajectory in today's time.
"My thing is, new coaches something, you gotta understand your mindset and who you are dealing with. I don't know what was said, but you never call out a star player in the locker room in front of others. You never do that. That is a big no-no. There is only one coach that can ever do that, his name is Gregg Popovich, and he's not coaching anymore, " Horry said . "You're a new coach and you don't do that. You say, 'Yo, let's set up a meeting before practice… after game, something.' You call him out in his face in private."
As the modern-day NBA landscape evolves, so does the culture surrounding its stars. Today's young superstars, who grow up in the spotlight and command massive fanbases even before reaching their primes, are often less tolerant of being publicly reprimanded. They expect communication to occur privately and respectfully, without humiliation.
With tensions rising between Morant and Iisalo, many around the league feel that this partnership might already be nearing its breaking point. The once-promising relationship between a young superstar and a new head coach seems to have soured before it could truly take shape. It could be only a matter of time before Ja forces his way out at the first available opportunity.
It's a shame, as many believed Isalo's revolutionary and fast-paced style of play, which he flaunted in Europe, would be perfect for Morant. However, it's not just about the on-court stuff but the chemistry off the floor, which apparently the duo hasn't found.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
