{"id":696597,"date":"2026-04-03T21:27:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T21:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/696597\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T21:27:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T21:27:17","slug":"nba-reporter-accuses-lebron-james-of-gentrifier-behavior-after-viral-memphis-take","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/696597\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA reporter accuses LeBron James of \u2018gentrifier\u2019 behavior after viral Memphis take"},"content":{"rendered":"

LeBron James is taking serious heat from an NBA<\/a> reporter following his comments that suggested the Memphis Grizzlies should relocate.<\/p>\n

Many NBA players have shared similar sentiments over recent years about the Tennessee-based franchise. However, James\u2019 larger-than-life persona has many basketball fans and some reporters concerned about his latest hot take.<\/p>\n

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David Dennis Jr., a longtime sports journalist, called out the Los Angeles Lakers star after his comments went viral during a \u201cBob Does Sports\u201d segment on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

.@DavidDTSS<\/a> on LeBron’s comments about moving the Memphis Grizzlies to Nashville<\/p>\n

“He is a gentrifier\u2026it is behavior that I would’ve thought was unbecoming of somebody like LeBron and all of these other hoopers who have all of these bad things to say about Memphis.” pic.twitter.com\/39ASg13tgQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) April 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Dennis Jr. isn\u2019t holding back anything after laying into James for publicly besmirching Memphis\u2019 name. This all comes as the NBA is beginning to have serious talks about expansion cities like Las Vegas and Seattle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a gentrifier,\u201d Dennis Jr. said during an ESPN Radio appearance<\/a>. \u201d \u2026 It is behavior that I would\u2019ve thought was unbecoming of somebody like LeBron and all of these other hoopers who have all of these bad things to say about Memphis.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Grizzlies are over 25 years into their Memphis residency following a six-year stint in Vancouver. However, Memphis continues to be overlooked amongst the NBA community given the challenges of convincing top players to sign with the franchise.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear that James and other NBA stars are unwilling to change their opinion on the Grizzlies. The four-time champion even stated that he would\u2019ve refused to play for Memphis if the franchise drafted him in 2003.<\/p>\n

MORE: Colin Cowherd rips Lakers as frauds after humiliating loss to Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m f*****g 41 years old, you think I want to do that sh*t being in Memphis on a random a** Thursday,\u201d James said with the \u201cBob Does Sports\u201d crew. \u201cI\u2019m not like the first guy even to talk about in the NBA. Like, we all like you guys have to move.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cGo over to Nashville\u2026 their only chance for me to play there was in 2003 if they would have won the lottery. And I might have pulled an Eli Manning and not showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are a rare franchise that have struggled to find success in a league full of parity. Memphis\u2019 lone Western Conference Finals appearance was back in the 2012-13 season.<\/p>\n

However, the NBA Finals continue to elude the franchise over their nearly 31-year history in the league.<\/p>\n