On Tuesday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith made waves by addressing a growing concern among NBA players: Memphis just isn’t a preferred destination. With the Desmond Bane trade fresh on the news cycle, Smith and the Morris twins discussed the Grizzlies’ future, and why some stars aren’t eager to join them.
Smith asked Marcus Morris directly why some players refuse to play in Memphis, to which Morris responded that players like himself wouldn’t mind. But when Markieff Morris turned the question back on Smith, the ESPN host didn’t hold back.
“It’s a great sports town, great fans, great people,” Smith said. “But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to local authorities in Memphis. You’ve gotta clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They told me.”
Memphis: A Great Fan Base, But Perception Problems Persist
Smith made it clear he wasn’t criticizing the Memphis community as a whole. He praised the fan base and city’s love of sports, but noted that reputation matters, especially when it comes to attracting top-tier NBA talent.
Jimmy Butler, reportedly among those who avoided Memphis in trade talks, never specified why. He’s since landed in Golden State and is now embroiled in an unrelated lawsuit regarding property damage from his Miami departure.
Smith’s comments quickly made rounds on social media:
The Memphis Grizzlies have talent and strong fan support, but the idea that Memphis is perceived as unsafe could hurt their ability to sign or retain stars. If public figures like Stephen A. are echoing what players say behind the scenes, the front office might need to address the city’s image more directly, on and off the court.
Read More: Stephen A. Smith Supports Riley Gaines: Trans Women Have ‘Unfair Advantage’ in Sports
