NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
LeBron James on Saturday doubled down on his comments about his reluctance to play in the cities of Memphis and Milwaukee, throwing Cleveland into the mix as well.
The Los Angeles Lakers star appeared on “Bob Does Sports” and criticized Memphis. He said the league would be better off if the team moved to Nashville — a city that already has the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the NHL’s Nashville Predators playing there with hopes of a future MLB team.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden dribbles as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the first half of an NBA game in Los Angeles on March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
He also seemed to take issue with playing on a “random f—ing Tuesday in Milwaukee.”
James received backlash on social media for his remarks and was questioned about his comments during training.
“So was Milwaukee. Did they miss that too? Didn’t they see that?” he said when asked about the Memphis remarks, via The Athletic. “Forty-one years old. Those are two cities I don’t like playing in right now. It’s Milwaukee and it’s Memphis. What’s the deal?
“I don’t like going home either. S— and I’m out of there. People are ridiculous. They also get mad that my son (Bronny) is on the team too. So what are we talking about? People have to find other ways to spend their energy on other things that are important. Like seriously? I’m not talking about the city like the people in the Hyatts’ Centric like to stay at Memphis’s. with that? What are we talking about?
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James talks with guard Bronny James during the first half of an NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Los Angeles on March 31, 2026. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
LEBRON JAMES DODGES RETIREMENT QUESTIONS AFTER RECORD 22ND ALL-STAR GAME
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo and Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic responded to James’ remarks. Rajakovic was an assistant with the Grizzlies before taking the Raptors’ job.
“I can say from my own perspective that I have the opposite — 180-degree perspective on it,” Iisalo said. “Memphis, where we arrived less than two years ago, has been very warm. Very welcoming.”
Rajakovic suggested he didn’t care what other people said about the city.
“I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis,” he said. “I love the food. I love every single time I come over here.”
Lakers forward LeBron James drives the ball upcourt during the second half against the Washington Wizards in Los Angeles on March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
