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A former NBA player is speaking out after Stephen A. Smith received backlash for his comments about Memphis. Earlier this week, Smith appeared on First Take and revealed that the reason the Grizzlies struggle to attract free agents is that NBA players are afraid to play in Memphis.
“You gonna tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis? Or you want me to do it? Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis.”
Stephen A. Smith says NBA players have told him they would feel unsafe playing in a city like Memphis
“Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis”
(h/t @awfulannouncing)pic.twitter.com/qySJhGBofG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
Former NBA veteran Kenyon Martin Sr. agreed with Smith’s comments, stating that he never felt safe while playing in Memphis.
“I know the time that I spent in Memphis 15 years in the NBA, the places I went and things that I encountered. I would not have wanted to play there as an NBA player. Not a chance. I didn’t feel safe.”
Gilbert Arenas podcast, debate Stephen A. Smith and Ja Morant and whether Memphis is a dangerous place for NBA players to live. Kenyon Martin and Norris Cole sided with Smith, while Nick Young and Rashad McCants argue why only Memphis LA, Chicago, and Philadelphia got issues pic.twitter.com/yIUC8DOVUi
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Chatnigga101) June 18, 2025
Smith, for his part, has agreed to visit Memphis at the mayor’s behest.
Good afternoon Mr. @MayorPaulYoung. Deeply appreciate your words and the sentiments that came with them. Progress is what life is all about and when it comes to Memphis -where some dear friends of mine reside — I wish for nothing less. The people deserve nothing less. So with… https://t.co/fGb0pf3wZZ
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 19, 2025