LeBron James’ harsh comments about Memphis this past week caused controversy and strong pushback from critics. However, the Los Angeles Lakers star is defending himself and his thoughts on the city.

While appearing on the Bob Does Sports YouTube show, James said he might have pulled an “Eli Manning” and refused to play for Memphis if the Grizzlies had drafted him in 2003.

“(The Grizzlies’) best chance would have been in 2003 if they had won the (NBA draft) lottery,” James said, laughing. “And I might’ve pulled an Eli Manning and not shown up.”

James then lamented his trips to Memphis, saying that he and other NBA players don’t enjoy visiting the city. He added that the franchise would be better off moving to Nashville, where most of the state’s major sports teams play.

“Staying at the f*cking Hyatt at 41 years old, you think I want to do that sh*t?” James said. “Being in Memphis on a random-a** Thursday. I’m not even the first guy to talk about this in the NBA. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move.’

“Go over to Nashville,” he added. “… They got everything.”

James isn’t the first NBA personality to share disparaging thoughts about Memphis, but his comments did touch a nerve with many (even those who have also disparaged Memphis).

On Saturday, James was asked about the reaction to his comments. In a video shared by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, a reporter tells the Lakers star that “people have been upset about the fact that Memphis was looked at as a team that, a lot of Black people in Memphis, right, compared to like Nashville, for example.”

“Did I say I don’t like Black people?” asked James.

“No, you didn’t say that,” clarified the reporter, before adding, “there were people who were wondering why Memphis was targeted.”

“Milwaukee was, too. They didn’t see that?” asked James. “I said Milwaukee as well.

“I’m 41 years old. There’s two cities I do not like playing in right now. That’s Milwaukee, and that’s Memphis. What is your problem with that? I don’t like going home either. Sh*t. And I’m from there. What is— people are ridiculous. They also get mad at my son being on the team, too. So what are we talking about? People need to figure out other ways to put their energy to other things that’s important.

“Like, seriously, I’m not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis. I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with that? Nothing. What are we talking about? What are we talking about?

“People need to chill the hell out.”

“Did I say I don’t like Black people? … I’m 41 years old and there’s two cities I don’t like playing in right now. And that’s Milwaukee and that’s Memphis.” – LeBron James when asked about the backlash to his comments on a recent Bob Does Sports appearance pic.twitter.com/EVgCCoD1Q7

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 4, 2026

James isn’t likely to win over his critics with this kind of response, but he doesn’t seem to care either way. And that’s understandible given what a microscope the NBA legend is under for everything he says and does. As his playing career winds down, one certainly gets the sense he is simply tired of how much people pay attention to everything he says and does.

That’s not to say he’s above criticism as a public figure speaking out on other cities or any other topic. But clearly, he doesn’t seem to think he did anything wrong. At least for now.

The good news for LeBron is that the Lakers don’t travel to Milwaukee or Memphis the rest of the season, though there’s always next year (if he plays) for those fans to let James know how they feel about him.