The Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs Wednesday, but Ja Morant's father still has a rooting interest.
Tee Morant was in attendance for the Grizzlies' season-ending Game 5 loss after Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith provided him and his party of five with free tickets, lodging, and car service. It was a show of goodwill after three fans at Utah's Vivint Arena directed racist and vulgar remarks at members of the Morant family during last week's Game 2 matchup.
The gesture wasn't lost on Tee, who expressed his gratitude - and support - to Jazz star Donovan Mitchell following the contest.
"Hey yo, I'm going for y'all right now," Tee told Mitchell, courtesy of ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "Why? Y'all didn't have to do that. Y'all didn't have to show love to us like that.
"This is what I'm saying: When shit goes bad, and then you reach out, that's how you bridge the gap. Most people don't realize that. That's why I appreciate you, and that's why I hope the Jazz win the championship."
Mitchell was moved by Tee's remarks, calling them "the ultimate sign of respect."
Numerous fan-related incidents have marred the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Mitchell is happy the Jazz were proactive in addressing the issue.
"With the way we handled it as an organization, that in itself shows that we can do this," Mitchell told MacMahon. "We're not going to let people's ignorant comments, people throwing popcorn, people spitting (tarnish the NBA).
"The NBA as a whole - each individual team and as a league - are finding ways to show that we stand for what is right and not letting these fans who get out of control deter us from this sport that we love and everything that we enjoy."
