Depending on which metric you use, Memphis – the home of the Grizzlies – is the smallest market in the entire NBA. New Orleans and Oklahoma City are often mentioned in that conversation as well.
The Grizzlies were originally located in Vancouver, British Columbia. They moved to Memphis after the 2000-01 NBA season. And if you ask LeBron James, he might say that he would prefer they move back there. Because he is definitely not down with the Grizzlies being in Memphis, Tennessee.
James absolutely trashed the city when asked on the Bob Does Sports show whether in-season travel wears him down more as he gets older. He also sideswiped another small NBA market in the process.
“A random f—— Tuesday in Milwaukee staying at the staying at the f—— Hyatt at 41-years-old?” he replied. “You think I want to do s— being in Memphis on a random a– Thursday?
“I’m not the first guy in the NBA to talk about this. We’re all, like, ‘You guys have to move.’
“Just go over to Nashville. You’ve got Vanderbilt over there. You’ve got the f—— NASCAR. You’ve got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too? They’ve got everything.”
LeBron James also said that the one and only chance the Grizzlies ever had of him playing for them occurred over 20 years ago. And even then, it may not have happened.
“Their only chance was in 2003 if they would have won the lottery,” James said. “Give me that. And I might, and I might have pulled a Eli Manning and not showed up.”
Naturally, LeBron James’ comments did not sit well with people from Memphis
“Hating on BBQ, Blues, Eightball & MJG, Three Six Mafia and Young Dolp is crazy,” read one comment on X.
“Memphis is a cool town with a lot of soul,” another person wrote. “Every city has crime. The push to try to get the Grizzlies out of Memphis is soooo disgusting.”
“Dude is from Akron and talking down about Memphis,” someone else remarked.
Grizzlies reporter Jessica Benson even got in on it, writing, “The parade of sh—– on Memphis is tired, cruel and so incredibly misguided. The way people talk about this city is nuts. Happy to give any NBA player (or anyone!) an itinerary the next time they’re in town to debunk this absurdity.”