Two NBA Coaches Fire Back at LeBron's Nashville Take on Memphis
LeBron James took a shot at Memphis this week, and two NBA head coaches aren't having it. During a "Bob Does Sports" YouTube video, the Lakers star said the Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville, suggesting the NBA would be better off if Memphis packed up and moved 200 miles east to Tennessee's capital. Now, the people who actually coach in Memphis are setting the record straight.
What LeBron Said (And Why It Rubbed People the Wrong Way)
James didn't pull punches. He criticized Memphis for giving players nothing to do when teams roll into town for games. "In Memphis on a f---ing random ass Thursday," James said in the video. "I'm not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA, we all like, 'You guys have to move. Just go over to Nashville.'" He even went further, saying he might have refused to play there if the Grizzlies had the first pick in the 2003 draft. His reasoning? Nashville has Vanderbilt University, NASCAR, and the NHL's Predators. Apparently that's enough to make a city worth moving to, in his mind.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiGrizzlies and Raptors Coaches Defend the City
Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo wasn't having it. "I can say from my own perspective that I have the complete opposite, 180-degree perspective on that," Iisalo said Friday. "The Memphis where we have arrived less than two years ago has been very warm. Very welcoming."
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, who was an assistant in Memphis before taking the Toronto job, backed him up hard. "I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis. I love the food. I love every single time I come over here." Rajakovic added that his team visited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the day before Friday night's game, calling the experience inspiring. His players thanked him for taking them to meet patients at the facility.
Iisalo pointed to what actually makes Memphis work: one of the NBA's most passionate fan bases. "All I can say is Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies," Iisalo said.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about LeBron's Memphis.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.