When it comes to Memphis, LeBron James fouled out | Opinion

When I saw on the local news that LeBron James said the Memphis Grizzlies should consider moving to Nashville, I screamed at the television – just as I did when ESPN host Stephen A. Smith commented about crime in Memphis in June 2025.

I’ve long had issues with Smith, for he’s always in a dispute with somebody, especially James. He’s also been disrespectful to Serena Williams, Kamala Harris and Jasmine Crockett.

On the other hand, I’ve always admired LeBron James, who is now considered the best NBA player since Michael Jordan retired, and who sprang from humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, a small city that greatly suffered when the tire industry shut down.

But Michael Jordan has a distinct advantage over LeBron: He knows when to keep his mouth shut. That’s what LeBron should have done instead of suggesting that our beloved Memphis Grizzlies move to Nashville, 212 miles east of Memphis on Interstate-40.

During  a golf game with the “Bob Does Sports” YouTube channel, James was asked about being the oldest NBA player at age 41 and traveling on the road so often. He made a jab at Milwaukee, then slighted Memphis, noting that he didn't want to do anything in Memphis on a “(expletive) random (expletive) Thursday."

“You guys have to move,” he said of the Grizzlies. “Just go over to Nashville. You got Vanderbilt over there. You’ve got the (expletive) NASCAR. You got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too? They’ve got everything.”

He added that he didn’t want to play in Memphis or for Memphis.

Jan 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) is defended by Memphis Grizzlies forward Gg Jackson (45) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith's take on LeBron's comments

LeBron, that’s okay with me and other Memphians. We never considered the possibility of you playing for Memphis. And now you have made it clear that you think Memphis lacks interesting night life and the kinds of hotels you prefer. Yes, you are a wealthy man. You also appear to be spoiled and self-centered. Must your hotel always be luxurious? Can’t you go two days without eating at a five-star restaurant?

Since LeBron’s biting remarks were reported in early April, media stories and social media posts have circulated every single day, with more NBA current and former players expressing their feelings about Memphis. Some are criticizing LeBron James and even Stephen A. Smith.

In fact, Smith himself blasted LeBron James for disrespecting Memphis, a predominantly Black city, while with his white buddies on a golf course.

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“. . . We take into account, knowing that 63% of the people there are Black, knowing that they need this team to continue to help fuel . . . the local economy there, as opposed to big upping Nashville, and saying, ‘Why don’t you just go there?,’ not thinking of the citizens at all,” said Smith. “. . . Knowing the cameras are rolling and videoing you, without any regard for what kind of effect that would have on a Black populace is problematic.”

Smith said his criticism of Memphis because of “safety and security concerns” that could dissuade superstar NBA free agents are quite different from James’ comments. “I spoke about what this city needs in order to look out for the vast majority of its citizens who happen to be Black that are living there,” emphasized Smith. “. . . I wasn’t dressed in shorts, lolly-gagging on a golf course with a bunch of peeps that don’t look anything like the folks that reside in Memphis. That’s where it was foul.”

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Walter Clayton Jr. gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taylor Hendricks gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Walter Clayton Jr. gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taylor Hendricks gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

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Here’s our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews

Memphis Grizzlies’ Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

Memphis is flawed, but loved

Many in Memphis were annoyed, if not angered, by LeBron’s views of our city. However, Mayor Paul Young invited LeBron to hang with him in Memphis to get a realistic feel for the city. “@kingjames, I would welcome the chance to turn your criticism into action in one of the most important cities in the world,” the mayor posted on social media. “Come to Memphis and roll around with me for a bit and I will show you some of the culture and powerful investment opportunities in our City.”

In his series of tweets, Mayor Young also thanked Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for his comments about the Grizzlies. “I love Memphis and the Grizzlies," O'Connell said.

We appreciate that.

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We also appreciate the millions of visitors who come to Memphis every year to enjoy our unique barbecue and other wonderful foods. Our signature blues music that soothes, consoles and excites. Our friendly people whose smiles are welcoming. Our National Civil Rights Museum that is built around the balcony where the country’s most notable civil rights leader was slain. Our Stax Museum of Soul Music and Sun Records. The home of Elvis Presley that is also a reminder of our city’s rich music history. Our St. Jude Children’s Hospital and other high-quality medical facilities that make Memphis one of the best medical centers in the South. And our top-notch colleges and universities – University of Memphis, Rhodes College, Christian Brothers College and LeMoyne-Owen College.

Memphians don’t need outsiders to tell us about our beloved city’s flaws. We know there has been and still is a crime problem, but we are thankful that the statistics are now more positive. And we know we need more hotels, but not necessarily the super fancy ones to suit wealthy NBA players.

Also, like any other city, we have racism, a disproportionate amount of low-income residents, as well as evolving opportunities for growth and development. (LeBron, a few of your millions would do a lot of good here.)

Memphis is by no means a perfect city, but it is our home. And we are proud of it!

Lynn Norment

Lynn Norment, a former editor at Ebony magazine, is a Memphis-based columnist for The Commercial Appeal. Lynn can be reached at lynn@normentmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphians love city despite flaws, LeBron James critique | Opinion