In the high-stakes world of the NBA, the transition from a young prospect to a global superstar is often a family affair. For Ja Morant, the meteoric rise to fame has been inseparable from the presence of his father, Tee Morant. However, as Ja’s career has been increasingly marred by off-court controversies and questionable decision-making, the spotlight has shifted from the son’s highlights to the father’s behavior. Recently, former NBA standout Michael Beasley added fuel to this fire with a series of blunt observations that have left fans and analysts questioning the very foundation of the Morant family dynamic.

Beasley, known for his own rollercoaster journey through the professional ranks, didn’t hold back during a recent podcast appearance. His assessment was as creative as it was cutting: he claimed that Tee Morant is essentially “time traveling.” According to Beasley, Tee is using his son’s immense wealth and platform to relive a childhood and a lifestyle he likely missed out on. “His son gave him enough money to time travel,” Beasley remarked, suggesting that the elder Morant is more interested in the spectacle and the fame than in providing the disciplined guidance a young star desperately needs.

The Spectacle vs. The Support System

The core of the criticism against Tee Morant lies in his visibility. In an era where most NBA parents remain supportive figures in the shadows, Tee has become a character in his own right. He is frequently seen courtside, engaging in trash talk with players and becoming a focal point for television cameras. While some see this as a beautiful bond between a father and son who “made it as a unit,” Beasley and others see a dangerous lack of boundaries.

Beasley drew a sharp contrast between Tee Morant and the late father of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He noted that while Giannis’s father was immensely proud, he never sought the spotlight or tried to make the narrative about himself. For Beasley, the role of an NBA father should be that of a “shield,” not a co-star. The concern is that when a father becomes a peer or a “party buddy” to his son, the essential hierarchy of parenting collapses, leaving the young athlete without a moral compass in a world full of temptations.

Lessons from the Elders: The CP3 Comparison

The discussion surrounding the Morants often brings up the difficult balance of power that occurs when a child becomes the primary breadwinner for the entire family. In the video, a poignant archival clip shows Tee Morant interviewing Charles Paul, the father of legendary point guard Chris Paul. The contrast in their philosophies is striking.

Charles Paul emphasized that despite his son’s millions, the roles never changed. “You’re still his father,” Charles reminded Tee. He shared an anecdote about how he and his wife refused to let Chris move them out of their house until they were ready, maintaining their autonomy and their parental authority. The lesson was clear: money changes the circumstances, but it should never change the person or the responsibility of a father to “sit down and talk” to his son when he’s heading in the wrong direction.

Tee Morant’s responses in that older footage suggested a level of hesitancy. He seemed to struggle with the idea of how to maintain a “fatherly” position when his son was the one providing the Mercedes and the mansions. This “hypnotic” effect of wealth, as described by analysts, may be at the root of the current issues. When a father is “thankful” to the point of subservience, he loses the ability to say “no.”

A Unit Divided by Fame?

Ja Morant has been vocal about his love for his father, famously stating that Tee “made me who I am today.” The two are so close that they even became next-door neighbors in Memphis. A video of Ja showing his father his new “crib” and joking about being neighbors highlights a level of closeness that most families would envy. But in the context of Ja’s recent suspensions and legal scares, that closeness is being viewed through a much more critical lens.

Critics argue that if Tee Morant was truly the “positive black male role model” he claims to be, he would have been the first person to stop the “antics” that have threatened Ja’s career. Instead, Beasley suggests that Tee is too busy enjoying the ride to pull the emergency brake. The “unit” that Tee frequently references may be exactly what is holding Ja back from the maturity required to be the face of the NBA.

The Path Forward for the Morants

The talent possessed by Ja Morant is undeniable. He is a generational athlete capable of feats that leave fans breathless. However, talent alone cannot sustain a career in a league that values image and reliability. As Beasley pointed out, Ja is still young, and there is still time to course-correct. The question remains whether that correction will come from within the family or if the NBA’s structure will have to force a change.

The debate sparked by Michael Beasley isn’t just about the Morants; it’s a commentary on the complexities of the “New Money” athlete and the family structures that surround them. For Ja to truly reach his potential, the “time traveling” may need to stop, and the traditional roles of father and son may need to be restored. Until then, every courtside celebration and every off-court mistake will be scrutinized as a reflection of a father who might be a little too enamored with his son’s dream.