A strange scene unfolded on the way Memphis Grizzlies so los angeles lakers On Friday night, FS1 talking head (and former NFL wide receiver) Shannon Sharp joined in a courtside screaming match with Tea Morant, father of Grizzlies player and Memphis star Ja Morant. Security and the referee eventually broke up the brawl and Sharp returned to his seat after halftime.
You don’t see sports commentators on TV getting into fights with entire NBA teams every day, but it’s clear that it did. The commotion began after Sharp told Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks that he was too small to guard Lakers star LeBron James. Suddenly, Morant’s father got involved and Sharp had to pull away from an angry Grizzlies player.
Here is a video of the incident captured by television cameras:
Ja Morant too I told Sharp just before halftime to ‘sit down’Here’s a video of the scenes inside the arena detailed by the reporters covering the game:
absolute madness. When Shannon Sharp was talking to Ja Morant, Steven Adams walked past Ja Morant. Tee Morant and Shannon Sharp exchanged words before Sharp escalated off the floor. pic.twitter.com/iIpOnxDPiH
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 21, 2023
Tempers flare up here in the front row at Crypto. Here, Shannon Sharpe, Stephen Adams and Papa Tee Morant must exchange words and let go before they head in opposite directions. pic.twitter.com/EtMiSDY3sv
— Miriam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) January 21, 2023
Sharp explained aspects of his story to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. It sounds like Sharp chose a fight with the Grizzlies to defend LeBron. Discussing sports topics with Bayless.
Here’s Sharpe’s incredible and complete quote about the start of the yelling match against the Grizzlies.
Shannon Sharp spent halftime in the tunnel with security before returning to his seat for the third quarter. He allowed his ESPN a brief interview explaining what happened to the Grizzlies on the way to his seat. pic.twitter.com/XZNw6sQhEG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2023
This is how Arena’s beat reporter first spelled out what’s going on.
NBA ONLY: Shortly after the second quarter buzzer, Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant, got into a shouting match with former NFL player and current Fox Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe. The referee and guards intervened.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 21, 2023
Shannon Sharp said something that made the entire Grizzlies bench charge at him right after the break. Security had to intervene. Sharpe has just entered the locker room tunnel with several guards.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 21, 2023
The Grizzlies never back down from a verbal challenge. Sharpe does not hesitate to defend James’ honor. This scene is comical because it fits the brand so well for both sides.
We will update this story as it progresses.
