LeBron James stood by the remarks he made earlier within the week about Memphis, reiterating his stance following the Lakers’ Saturday apply at Southern Methodist College.
When requested if he needed to make clear his feedback from an look on the “Bob Does Sports activities” present, the place he advised the Grizzlies may relocate to Nashville, James emphasised that Memphis wasn’t the one metropolis he had in thoughts.
“I stated Milwaukee as nicely,” the Lakers ahead stated. “I’m 41 years outdated, there’s two cities I don’t like taking part in in proper now: that’s Milwaukee and that’s Memphis. I don’t like going residence both, s–t, and I’m from there. Persons are ridiculous. Additionally they get mad at my son being on the group, too.”
Throughout that YouTube look, James had been discussing the bodily toll of journey late in his profession and didn’t maintain again when describing sure street journeys.
“A random f—ing Tuesday in Milwaukee, staying on the f—ing Hyatt at 41 years outdated; you assume I wish to do this s–t?,” James stated on the present. “Being in Memphis on a f—ing random ass Thursday? I’m not even, like, the primary man to speak about it within the NBA. We’re all, like, ‘You guys have to maneuver.’ Simply go over to Nashville. You’ve acquired Vanderbilt over there. You’ve acquired the f—king NASCAR. You’ve acquired a stadium. Don’t they acquired a hockey group, too? They’ve acquired every part.”
The remarks drew criticism, significantly from folks in Memphis, with some pointing to the town’s cultural id and demographics. James pushed again on that interpretation of his feedback.
“Did I say I don’t like Black folks? No,” James stated. He added: “I’m not speaking concerning the metropolis, just like the folks in Memphis. I don’t like staying on the Hyatt Centric. What’s flawed with that? Nothing. What are we speaking about? What are we speaking about? Individuals want to sit back the hell out.”
Memphis mayor Paul Younger responded by extending an invite to James, encouraging him to expertise the town firsthand.
“I might welcome the possibility to show your criticism into motion in probably the most vital cities on this planet,” Younger wrote in a Fb submit, which additionally included reward for Memphis from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins. “Come to Memphis and roll round with me for a bit and I’ll present you a few of the tradition and highly effective funding alternatives in our Metropolis. Let’s do one thing epic in one of many largest majority Black cities within the nation!”
Lakers star LeBron James doubles down on feedback about Memphis https://t.co/rcfUAKRP7I pic.twitter.com/Gqf3MsRyma
— New York Publish (@nypost) April 4, 2026
