Morant’s absence loomed as the team fell further, week after week. During the suspension, he largely avoided headlines. He was spotted at a concert in late November. He was spotted at some Memphis-area high school basketball games. Beyond that, Morant has remained in the background, which some team sources said they’ve appreciated. “He’s a hardworking motherf—er. I know that,” Rose told ESPN. “I’m proud of him, very proud of him. Never complains. He’s there early, there after, at shootaround, practices. He’s doing everything the team wants him to do, and I’m just happy that he’s creating his own reality and his own bubble. You can just see it. You haven’t heard anything about him. And that’s a great thing.” -via ESPN / December 19, 2023
