Ja Morant's new Nike JA 1 shoe gives 'We ain't ducking no smoke' a fitting showcase

Ja Morant's JA 1 series with Nike is reportedly set to include a version marking one of his most memorable quotes.

According to multiple reports, Nike is set to release a "We Ain't Ducking No Smoke" version that references Morant's memorable quote from a February 2022 game and one he used again ahead of last year's first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The shoe will feature the quote in Morant's handwriting over light gray background on the heel with his jersey number above it in gold on a black background. The main color of the shoe will be black with cream soles and a light gray heel backing.

Morant fist said the quote in February of last year after defeating the Knicks 120-108 at Madison Square Garden.

"Ain't no running in the M. We climb up the chimney. We ain't ducking no smoke," Morant said referencing a scuffle between two players in the tight fourth quarter.

Later in April, as the Grizzlies prepared to take on the Timberwolves and guard Patrick Beverly in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Morant expanded on it in response to Beverly's efforts to get under the skin of Grizzlies' players.

"We ain’t ducking no smoke," he said during a press conference. "We run up the chimney. It’s simple as that. Ain’t no conversations about not letting nobody get under your skin. Somebody come towards you, can’t back down. That's a soft person tendency. We don't got no soft guys over here."

The Ja1 Nike shoe already has three colorway versions that have been released − "Hunger," "Wet Cement" and "Fuel." There are 10 versions of the shoe set to come out in the coming years.

An additional JA 1 release timed for Halloween has also been announced. The "Zombie" version will be lime green with additional darker green and light brown colors. Nike announced the shoe as a part of their holiday showcase.

Nike has not announced official release dates for either shoe. The series typically retails for $110.

Nike's continued collaboration might come as a surprise for some due to Morant's 25-game suspension, which includes the beginning of the upcoming season. Morant was suspended in June after videos surface online featuring the star player displaying a firearm. The NBA initially only suspended him for eight games, but after a second video came out, the punishment rose to 25 games.

Despite the suspension, the "Hunger" JA 1 version sold out within minutes back in May.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant shoes: See new Nike Ja 1 releases 'No Smoke' and 'Zombie'