Ja Morant sat at a podium in front of a contingent of media members with Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and general manager and president of operations Zach Kleiman standing off to the side on Friday.

The Grizzlies point guard, speaking publicly for the first time since his 25-game suspension, was short and intentional with most of his responses, but his messaging was clear.

Morant admitted he has made "a lot" of mistakes. Two of those mishaps included brandishing what appeared to be guns in two Instagram Live videos. The first incident in March led to a nine-game suspension, then Morant was issued a 25-game suspension to start this season in June.

Now, as Morant reflects, he's finding the balance between proving to others that he has learned from previous setbacks while also not losing the core values of who he is as a person in that progress.

"I can't make nobody believe me outside of my actions," Morant said. "Me answering this question with just words probably won't mean nothing to nobody."

Morant is expected to return Tuesday when the Grizzlies go on the road to play against the New Orleans Pelicans. He's been practicing with the team during his suspension, something that he said has been very helpful throughout this process.

"I can't go away from being Ja," Morant said. "I feel like that's the most important thing. Not trying to lose myself or be somebody that I'm not or at totally different. The change will be my decision-making and how I go about my daily life of being a NBA player, a father, a role model (and) a son."

Here are five takeaways from Morant's first comments

Ja Morant feels 'guilt' watching the Grizzlies

Morant said he has stayed engaged with the Grizzlies by watching film and communicating with his teammates. The Grizzlies (6-17) are off to one of the worst starts in the NBA in part because of injuries and not having Morant available.

The two-time all-star admitted that it hasn't been pleasing watching the team struggle.

"Yes, it's definitely some guilt in that," Morant said. "Obviously I'm not on the floor. Nobody like losing. ... I take full responsibility of that. Even though I'm not on the floor, decisions I've made didn't allow me to be out there to go to battle with my team."

One day at a time with the Grizzlies

The Grizzlies will need to win and win fast when Morant returns for any chance at a playoff spot. The top six seeds in the Western Conference will make the postseason, and four other teams make the play-in tournament to compete for the final two playoff spots.

Morant said that those goals aren't his focus right now.

"The playoffs and play-in is a while from now," Morant said. "I take it day by day. I feel like each day we can get better at something."

With that being said, Morant is hopeful that the practices in which he's been able to participate with teammates will help shorten any potential game rust.

"Hopefully it does be the first game, but obviously it's different when you're actually in the game getting game reps," Morant said. "I'm just going to try to come back, do whatever I can to help the team win. I'm not forcing a historic game in my first game back."

Protecting his peace

Morant said the main thing has has been doing is "protecting his peace." Therapy and being more open with the people around him are ways that Morant has focused on improving his mental health.

He then further clarified how he wants to protect his peace.

During the more than 16 minutes that Morant spent answering questions, he used words like "tough" and "horrible days" to describe some of what the past few months have been like.

"Just doing whatever I feel like that keeps me happy, keeps me in a good mood," Morant said. "Right now, honestly, I feel like the No. 1 thing outside of being around my family and having more time to spend around my daughter is being around the team. I feel like that's normally when I have my best days, normally when I'm in my best moods. In the coming days, I'll be even happier when it's a consistent thing."

Friends, family and basketball

Many former and current NBA players have spoken out about Morant's suspension during the past months. Some have even publicly stated their admiration for wanting to reach out to Morant and offer up advice.

"Nah, I didn't talk to none of them," Morant said. "I feel like I have everybody around me now that will help me get to where I want to be. No knock to anybody who wants to reach out. I feel like my family, my organizations and my veterans on this team is all I need right now."

PLAYERS CHIME IN ON JA MORANT: Memphis Grizzlies teammates excited about Ja Morant's return. They've been watching him practice.

A bigger chip on Ja Morant's shoulder

Morant stated at the beginning of last season that his goal was to be even better than a top 10 player in the NBA. The mishaps of last season and an early playoffs exit led to him falling down the ladder in the eyes of national pundits.

Even though Morant admitted to not caring about those kind of conversations, he gave a smirk as he stood up and prepared to leave the room after he was asked if he still has the same chip on his shoudler.

"It's not a little small chip no more," Morant said. "It's a share size."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant return: Star feels 'guilt' over Grizzlies record