Stephen A. Smith Believes LeBron James’ Memphis Criticism Undermines Black Community

Stephen A. Smith and many others took offense to LeBron James criticizing Memphis and suggesting that the Grizzlies should move to Nashville.

Stephen A. Smith Believes LeBron James’ Memphis Criticism Undermines Black Community

LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • LeBron James faced backlash for suggesting he would not have wanted to play for the Memphis Grizzlies.
  • Stephen A. Smith criticized James' comments, highlighting their potential negative impact on the Black community.
  • Memphis Mayor Paul Young invited James to visit the city to better understand its culture and opportunities.

LeBron James recently stoked some controversy when he suggested that had he been selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2003 Draft, he would have done what two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning did.

The quarterback made it clear before his draft that he would not play for the then-San Diego Chargers. Forced to face a difficult situation, the franchise reluctantly traded him to the New York Giants.

The younger Manning son went on to have a good career in the Big Apple and led them to two impressive championship wins over Tom Brady‘s New England Patriots.

In LeBron James’ case, that did not happen, as he was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thankfully, in his situation, his hometown team had much better odds of winning the NBA Draft lottery than the Memphis Grizzlies did.

However, this suggestion drew a lot of criticism from many quarters, as his comment was directed at Memphis and suggested he would not have wanted to play there.

It’s a bunch of White dudes on a golf course, knowing the cameras are rolling and videoing you without any regard for what kinda effect that would have on the Black populace, is problematic.

Stephen A. Smith said on his namesake show

The longtime ESPN analyst added that LeBron James’ comments come days after the Lakers superstar was celebrating the Black Community through his signature sneakers.

Therefore, it was baffling to him that the 41-year-old would end up criticizing a city that has Black people representing 62.7% of its population.

Memphis Mayor calls out LeBron James for his criticism

While Stephen A. Smith went off on LeBron James for criticizing Memphis, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s suggestion that the Grizzlies should move to Nashville caught someone else’s attention.

LeBron James has been receiving criticism for his Memphis comments
LeBron James has been receiving criticism for his Memphis comments (Image via Complex Sports/X)

King James, I would welcome the chance to turn your criticism into action in one of the most important cities in the world. 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.

Mayor Paul Young wrote on X

This was Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who felt that the King was speaking without true knowledge of the city he was governing. The Mayor offered the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to reach out to him and plan a trip to see how the city has changed.

James is not the first NBA player to criticize Memphis. But since he is one of the loudest voices in the world of sports, the suggestion that the Grizzlies should abandon the city left many stunned and disappointed.

Matt Barnes slams Stephen A. Smith for hypocritical take on LeBron James

After Stephen A. Smith and Mayor Paul Young’s pushback against LeBron James caught the basketball world’s attention, it irked a certain Matt Barnes enough for him to take to social media and say this:

You are talking about his words and what they mean to the Black Community. But you’ve been the same man in front of the camera for the last handful of months disrespecting Serena Williams, Jasmine Crockett, Kamala Harris, and tap dancing for the whole White Republican Party. But you got an issue with Lebron talking about a trending topic.

Matt Barnes said on IG

The NBA champion was referring to how Stephen A. Smith has been going after powerful Black women just to further his position in front of Republican voters. Barnes believes this is his strategy to build popularity among right-leaning voters.

But the former forward reminded the ESPN executive producer that the Black community is watching everything he is doing. It might become his undoing when the time comes.

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