LeBron Takes Shot at Memphis… and Stephen A. FIRES BACK!
Stephen A. Smith does NOT hold back after LeBron James’ controversial comments about Memphis go viral. Was LeBron speaking facts about the Grizzlies situation or did he cross the line?
In this fiery breakdown, Stephen A. explains why LeBron’s take was BOTH fair and foul, calling out the optics, the timing, and the deeper impact on the city and its people. From NBA locker room realities to the bigger cultural conversation, this debate gets intense fast.
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21 Comments
Name a majority run blk city or country thats thriving ?
Leave the king alone. Leave race out of it.
you cant expect someone to think before talking when he cant finish the first 3 pages of any books he claims to read
I don’t even understand what he said 18:15
Ok SA it’s just some people forget we’re they came from black community smdh
This aint it. You said the same thing and ultimately it’s about business not about race. In order to ensure and maintain you have a franchise in your city certain things have to be in place and unfortunately crime is a problem and also investing into the city.
Smith, on live ESPN television in June 2025, told the entire country that NBA players are afraid to live in Memphis. He named Jimmy Butler specifically. He told Memphis law enforcement they needed to “clean some of that stuff up.” He implied that Memphis is functionally unsafe for professional athletes to inhabit — not just visit on a road trip. He did this to a national audience, on the most-watched morning sports show in America, during peak NBA offseason news cycles, when every front office and free agent in the league was paying attention.
The reach of Smith’s comments made them more structurally damaging than LeBron’s golf-cart ramblings. The venue Smith is now using as moral cover — a professional broadcast — actually amplified the harm rather than mitigating it. LeBron spoke to a YouTube golf audience. Smith spoke to every agent, GM, and free agent in the sport.
If we’re measuring impact on Memphis’s 64% Black population, Smith’s suit and serious face didn’t protect them. It just made the damage look more credible.
I drove trucks for a living. Anytime I saw a load to Memphis I declined. Memphis is on a whole different level. Nope, LeBron was right
Right. I forgot about that!
all NBA players say….Memphis is the last place to visit…but once again..Lebron haters hating once again with MJ on their breath> MJ lovers never say "bulls won 56 games while MJ played baseball…never say Mj was 1-11 in the playoffs before he met Pippen….never said MJ/pippen hated the pistons but recruited Rodman,Salley & Edwards to join their team<<<,never ever mention…the Wizards!!!! Correct me..check me if im wrong
HEEEYYY!! LeBron D RIDERS WHO won’t even listen to the substance in this video..
I made you a button 😅
Black Fatigued…this is why Black America dont get ahead…complain about the conditions about black communities but pretend is not a problem when its called out…WELCOME TO DEMOCRAT RUN CITIES AND STATES and im a black American man saying this
I rock with Stephen A. But this take is a reach. Making it racial is wack
SAS said some similar shhh about Memphis didn’t he lol
22:00 Props to Trump and his Memphis Safe Task Force for reducing crime from 2025 to present for reducing crime in Memphis. #MMGA Make Memphis Great Agian 😂
"OKC BUUUUSSSTTT! their azzes" – Stephen A. 😂
It's funny how some people get a little money and forget they come from poverty and a place that doesn't have much I am from Memphis and even a lot of people don't know it besides some of the crime that goes on in my city like it does in any other city we still got better things goin on than AKRON OHIO. We have more talent that come from our city than AKRON OHIO so LeBron needs to chill . P. S JORDAN the GOAT LeBron is number 3 on the all time greats and number 2 is KOBE BEAN BRYANT
Why is Stephen A fire back at LeBron for a city he’s not from. Furthermore, it’s LeBron’s opinion based on his own experience. Who the hell is Stephen A to say otherwise.
Your political statements lack sophistication
Well I guess you'll be ready to apologize on Monday..
Cause obviously your wrong again..because mr Hurley is going to the finals🎉
How about Memphis get their shit together