“Did I say I don’t like Black people?” – LeBron reacts to the backlash he received for his Memphis comments

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ Saturday practice, star LeBron James was busy answering questions, not only on the injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and how they affect their season, but also explaining his recent comments about the city of Memphis, which has drawn the ire not only of Memphians but also several personalities in sports media.

In an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James mused about how some people are putting words into his mouth and why they are angry about his personal choices.

“Did I say I don’t like Black people?” said LeBron. “I said Milwaukee, as well. I’m 41 years old, there’s two cities I don’t 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, s—t and I’m from there.”

Bron tells his critics to chill out

LeBron ignited a firestorm when he said on the “Bob Does Sports” show that he doesn’t like road trips to Memphis. But as he told McMenamin, James also said the same thing about Milwaukee, and “Deer District” didn’t react the same way. However, what Dave failed to ask LBJ was whether he was saying the Memphis Grizzlies need to move to Nashville, because that’s what most of the critics are mad about.

McMenamin’s question, though, at least from the video, was framed from his colleague Stephen A. Smith’s criticism that LeBron wasn’t mindful that 63 percent of the population in Memphis is Black and that they would be greatly affected if the team left town, given the economic activity that having an NBA team has brought to the city. James then continued, and it seemed like he was talking about SAS, too, because he mentioned Bronny.

“What is people…You are ridiculous. Also get mad at my son for being on the team, too. So what are we talking about? People need to figure out other ways to put their energy on 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 Central. What’s wrong with that? Nothing. What are we talking about? People need to chill out,” James continued.

Related: When reporters asked Michael Jordan about the war in the Middle East: “As if his opinions about Iraq were critical”

Barnes called out Stephen A. for attacking LeBron

While James had a subtle reply to Smith’s allegations, former Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes lambasted SAS for his negative reaction to LBJ, saying he is no different than the man he is censuring because he lashed out at prominent Black female personalities like Serena Williams, Jasmine Crockett, and Kamal Harris on his shows.

“You’re talking about his words and what they mean to the Black community,”said Barnes. “But you’ve been the same man in front of the camera for the last handful of months disrespecting Serena Williams, disrespecting Jasmine Crockett, disrespecting Kamala Harris, and tap dancing for the whole white Republican Party but you got an issue with LeBron talking about a trending topic and his words carry weight and he doesn’t understand what his words can do to the Black community.”

It’s not hard to understand why the people of Memphis are upset with LeBron. But it’s not that he’s the first to say that he dislikes playing in the city. Nor is he the first person to suggest that they move to Nashville.

However, James’ words hurt more to Memphians than anyone who has spoken the same thoughts. But for media folks like SAS, it’s crazy to even bring up race in the discussion. We know why, though, as LBJ has been his meal ticket for years.

Related: Podcaster calls LeBron James an “absolute phony” for belittling Memphis: “The guy is from Cleveland”

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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