LeBron James became the latest NBA star to weigh in on Memphis, adding his voice to a conversation that recently picked up steam following Anthony Edwards’ blunt comments.
James shared his thoughts during an appearance on the Bobs Does Sports podcast while out on the golf course. What started as a casual discussion quickly turned into a candid take on playing in Memphis.
“I’m fcking 41 years old, you think I want to do that sht being in Memphis on a random a** Thursday,” James said. “I’m not like the first guy even to talk about in the NBA. Like, we all like you guys have to move. Go over to Nashville… their only chance for me to play there was in 2003 if they would have won the lottery. And I might have pulled an Eli Manning and not showed up.”
The comment stood out for its tone and directness. James acknowledged that he is not alone in feeling that way, pointing to a broader sentiment among players.
Anthony Edwards Sparked the Conversation
James’ remarks came shortly after Edwards made headlines for his own experience in Memphis. During an appearance on Sundae Conversation, Edwards answered a question about hotel stays with a story that quickly circulated online.
“Yeah, especially when we go to Memphis,” Edwards said. “I’d be like, damn, the hotels ain’t nothing in Memphis. That st be dirty. I walked into a Memphis hotel one time and it had stains and st on the bed.”
Edwards’ delivery matched his personality, unfiltered and honest. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard did not hold back, and his comments created a ripple across the league and social media.
On the court, Edwards has not shown any discomfort when facing Memphis. In 20 games against the Grizzlies, he has averaged 25.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field. He also helped lead Minnesota past Memphis in the 2022 playoffs. This season, he has gone 2-1 against them, including dominant scoring outings of 33 and 39 points in games played in Memphis.
Draymond Green Shares Similar Experience
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green later added context that supported Edwards’ criticism. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Green pointed to a specific incident from earlier in his career.
“[Anthony Edwards] is pretty blunt about it, but yeah,” Green said. “We had an issue there where we used to stay at one hotel in Memphis, and this dates back. We stopped staying there because their sprinklers just went off for no reason in the room. Drenched all of [Andrew] Bogut’s stuff, and they didn’t want to do anything about it. So, we switched hotels then, right? So, it’s been an issue.”
Green’s story added another layer to the discussion. Rather than dismissing Edwards’ comments, he confirmed that similar situations have occurred in the past.
Memphis has also faced criticism before from national voices. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith previously suggested that concerns about safety and environment could impact how players view the city. His comments focused more on off-court factors, but they contributed to an ongoing narrative.
James’ remarks now place one of the league’s most influential figures into that same conversation. With multiple players sharing experiences, Memphis finds itself under renewed scrutiny, sparked by a mix of candid storytelling and firsthand accounts.
LeBron James Adds to Growing Memphis Criticism After Anthony Edwards