After LeBron James named Memphis as one of the cities he enjoys playing in the least, social media has been flooded with videos and clips of NBA stars sharing similar sentiments about the city.
The discourse started on Thursday after James expressed his dislike for playing in Memphis and urged the team to move to Nashville instead.
“You think I want to do that being in Memphis on a random ass Thursday? I’m not like the first guy even talk about in NBA,” James said on the “Bob Does Sports” podcast. “You guys have to move. Let’s go over to Nashville. You’ve got Vanderbilt over there. You’ve got the NASCAR. You’ve got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too?”
Following James’ comments, social media has erupted with some fans defending Memphis and criticizing LeBron, while others have shared similar comments from other NBA players, including Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. Let’s look at what other NBA players have to say about Memphis.
“Man, I used to hate flying into Memphis,” Durant said.
“Memphis, probably,” Derrick White said when asked about the worst NBA city. “And the hotel is probably the worst hotel in the NBA.”Anthony Edwards also shared a story about staying in Memphis ahead of games, saying that he found stains on his bedsheets.
“When we go to Memphis, I be like, ‘damn,’” Edwards said. “That s*** be dirty. I walked into a Memphis hotel one time, that s*** had stains and s*** on the bed.”
Draymond Green has also said that Memphis should be relocated to Nashville.
“Memphis, which should probably be in Nashville, should be an Eastern Conference team,” Green said. “Adam, let them just do us all a favor and take the team to Nashville.”
Clips of former NBA champion Danny Green criticizing Memphis have also emerged amid the discourse.
“I just don’t think it’s a destination city,” Green said. “You know, Nashville is one of the cities that people enjoy. … We used to stay in one hotel in Memphis … we stopped staying there because their sprinklers just went off for no reason.”
LeBron James’ former teammate, Channing Frye, also called Memphis the “worst” in an old interview.
“Memphis is easily the worst,” Frye said. “We usually stay at the Westin across from the hotel.”
Here is a list of NBA players who have criticized the city:
- Kevin Durant
- LeBron James
- Draymond Green
- Danny Green
- Anthony Edwards
- Channing Frye
- Richard Jefferson
- Theo Pinson
While numerous athletes have discussed the subject, LeBron James has faced criticism for his comments on social media.
LeBron James replies to NBA fans after facing criticism for Memphis comments
LeBron James responded to the criticism he has faced on social media following his comments on Memphis. Fans have criticized the NBA star, alleging that he dislikes “Black people.”
“Did I say I don’t like Black people? … I’m 41 years old and there’s two cities I don’t like playing in right now,” James replied. “Milwaukee and Memphis. What is the problem with that? I don’t like going home either and I’m from there.”
With Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic out with injuries, the Lakers will look to LeBron James when they return to action against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
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